DRAFT July Meeting Minutes - Florida Distance Learning Consortium

Florida Distance Learning Consortium
Quarterly Meeting
Florida Distance Learning Consortium
July 21-22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
I. Introductions Ruth Anna Balla
The meeting was called to order at 1:13 p.m. ET and new members were welcomed.
II.
Review and Approval of May 2011 Minutes
A motion for approval of the minutes was made by Melanie Jackson of South Florida Community College and
seconded by Vance Burgess of the University of West Florida at which time the May 2011 minutes were
approved.
III. FDLC Executive Director Report
Dr. John Opper, FDLC
*Get Slides*
Russ Adkins of Broward College raised the question about collecting the transient fees. Dr. Opper responded
that more people are holding off on collecting the fee since it ends up costing more money then they make in
revenue.
Sid Beitler of Palm Beach State College asked if courses currently listed are available for students to register
through the system? The system will facilitate admission through the transient process to your institution; It is not
an automatic push a button and they are in- with a credit card- setup.
IV. Associate Executive Director Report
Susie Henderson, FDLC
Upgrade Susie Henderson discussed The Orange Grove’s new upgrade. She demonstrated that The Orange
Grove has now harvested 40,000 resources so far. Usability in the new upgrade is improved. She demonstrated
where you answer questions about the contribution and how it will create the appropriate Creative Commons
license.
As this is Susie’s last meeting, she pulled out a few memorable items to share. An old agenda from November 8
and 9 th , 1995 is shown and passed around. Susie will be going to work for Educause. Discussion of 1,000’s of
open textbooks and Intech textbooks that are pear reviewed, were shown. Florida provost supported the
development of open textbooks, examples displayed of Calculus 1, Calculus 2 and Theatre Appreciation. Total
savings for a year are well over a million dollars, just for the schools demonstrated.
Russ Adkins stands up and thanks Susie. Ruth thanks Susie for her work. Ruth gives an open call to all
members who are interested in open textbooks, the Orange Grove, or repositories in general to have an Orange
Grove meeting prior to the next meeting November 2 nd and 3 rd in Broward. Orange Grove committee meeting will
be a reforming not an active committee. Discussion of priorities and the future of the Orange Grove in Florida.
V. DL Data Elements Review Ruth Anna Balla, MDC and Dr. John Opper
Recommend Classification Scheme for Technology Delivered or Enhanced Courses. Definitions have
differed amongst college and universities for quite a while and among various groups. The Distance Learning
Task Force helped to draft recommended definitions. There continues to be an sssue with a different between
tech advanced and hybrid courses.
Ruth Ann Balla asks if the second level indicators need to be reported to the state? Ruth Ann does not believe
institutions are capturing the data in the table values correctly and so corrections should be made. Jackie Larson
of Lake-Sumter CC brings up that the second table has caused real problems. Confusion is present between
what is distance learning and when students just use the web. Dr. Opper states that the table values cannot be
dropped. It would not be possible to generate the data requested by the legislature for the fees granted to
institutions. Categories can be implemented and changes can occur.

Question raised include how would a person know if the course were 51%, or 76%? It is brought up that maybe
it should be shown in a reduction of seat time. Florida State University uses seat time to demine whether a
course is distance learning or not. Sid Beitler of Palm Beach State College states his institution has issues with
the percentage of Hybrid. State definitions exist for each, if it’s a 3 credit class it can be 33% or 66%.
Something’s cannot be changed but can be tweaked.
Dr. Opper reports on this data first every legislative session. This data is the reason a Distance Learn fee and a
technology fee exist. The 80% cannot change as it is in the statute but changes can be recommended across the
board.
Ruth Ann asked for a small group to work on finalizing the Data Elements: Chair is to be Russ Adkins of Broward
College. Volunteer members include: Vance Burgess of UWF, Dana Kooi of Florida SC of Jacksonville, Bill
Waters of Penscola State College, Josh Strigle of CFC, and Tom Cavanaugh of UCF.
VI. System Level Perspectives
Dr. Dorothy Minear, Board of Governors\
Dr. Minear discussed the picture of what is going on with the Higher Education Coordinating Council, Board of
Governors (BOG) and with the Chancellor of Education. The BOG would like to have members provide the
leadership not only about strategies to reach goals but also to help identify barriers. She suggested that a board
member with a general idea of Distance Learning, have the FDLC identifying the strategies and issues. Her
request is for the FDLC to give guidance to Higher Education and in identifying what pieces would be needed to
reach state Higher Education goals.
VII. Division of Florida Colleges
Dr. Judith Bilsky, Division of Florida Colleges
Dr. Bilsky of the Division of Florida Colleges was introduced and met to discuss recent conversations. There are
actually more transfer students currently in the State University System (SUS) from the Florida State College
System (FSCS) than native SUS students, 44% are transfer students and 41% their own. 77% percent of state
college students that earn their AA degree go on to pursue a bachelorette degree. It is astounding the great
increase of Florida College Students and what room there is at the SUS. We need to determine how we will take
care of and admit these students when they are ready to transfer to the SUS. Where do we go in the future?
What is going to happen? Do we need to increase the Bachelorette programs in the College System? The dollars
aren’t there and distance learning is hopefully going to fill this challenge.
BREAK
Susie Henderson is presented with an engraved clock for her many years of dedicated service to the FDLC.
VIII. State Authorization Update and Q/A
Vikki Shirley, General Counsel Board of Governors
Vikki Shirley of the Board of Governors detailed the status of the State Authorization process. She recently met
with the Florida legislature prior to the quarterly meeting to discuss getting 15 states through on one bill. In
Arizona, Hawaii, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan authorization is not required. In other states you are required if
you have a brick and mortar building. Each state is different. The example provided was if FSU or FAMU put a
billboard up in Thomasville Georgia that they would be subject to Georgia’s regulatory framework. The physical
presence may not always mean an actual brick and mortar building. Vikki does not see an issue with schools in
Florida limiting which states they allow their Distance Learn classes to be offered in.

Kim Kendall of Santa Fe College asked about the need to verify the student’s address and does the institution
have an obligation to do so. The answer is yes. Kim then asked about students who are attending classes on
campus whose address’s are in other states. Vikki says the states jurisdiction does not attach in that instance.
Russ Adkins raised the question about service men/women who are enrolled and residents in Florida but are
serviced elsewhere and if they are still considered out of state. Department of Education does not have a definite
answer on this and it is recommended in that instance to look at each states requirements.
Vick Westergard proposes two questions: The first is on U.S Territories and the second is what to do when you
find a student from a state that you are not licensed in, is enrolled. There is no answer yet on the U.S Territories.
On the second question, it important to know what states your institution is authorized to offer programs in, to
their residents. Some states have criminal penalties attached.
Question about Billboards in state is brought up, if the billboard in the state is a trigger and you are advertising in
the state but do not have any students does the billboard still count as a trigger? You have to have a student in
that state under the federal law, but with states like Illinois if you have recruiters but haven’t signed up any
students, then that is enough.
Sid Beitler asked the question, whether institutions go by permanent address or by current address? You go by
whichever address they are actually at.
Ruth Ann asked if it was ok to advertise nationally and if you could list which states your Distance Learn is
available in. Advertising nationally is ok in most cases unless for example it’s a Georgia company. You are also
discouraging students who live in those states also from enrolling by not listing there state in national advertising.
IX. Update on CCLA
Linda McCarthy
Update on the Task Force on the Future of Academic Libraries. New charge is to create a new organization
replacing CCLA and FCLA. They are working with the Information Systems of Florida to create new organization
plan. Plan will be submitted to the Executive Office of the Governor and the Legislature by January 1, 2012 and
will include proposed governance and reporting structure of the joint library organization. Three subcommittees
of the task force are:
i. Governance and reporting structure
ii. Services and Acquisition
iii. Technology and Fiscal
Next meeting is September 9 th at Seminole State: www.flbog.org/about/librarytaskforce/
In closing for the day, several announcements were made:
Russ Adkins announced that Broward College is seeking 3 instructional designers.
Todd Thuma from Polk State College has an open position for an instructional designer.
FACC has recently become the Association of Florida Colleges. They are currently seeking applicants for their
Technology Commission Excellence in Tech Award. The next AFC meeting is scheduled for October 26-28.
Miami Dade College recently submitted substantive change notices to SACS for several AS and BS degrees.
Todd Thuma from Polk State College went through a substantive change review and all passed.
Jackie Larson of Lake-Sumter CC just submitted their ten-year SACS report and received finalization with no
merits and no problems.

Sid Beitler at Palm Beach State College preparing for his SACS review.
Linda McCarthy announced the CCLA is doing a long-term study about student success to library use, detailing it
down to electronic resources and books. They have been looking at student retention and hired a person to
address this issue. Also looking at software to query the data out of the LMS. Signed up for Starfish, if anyone is
interested they to let him know.
Bill Waters of Pensacola State College asks if anyone is doing peer review and involving students during a
courses development. Second question asked is if any school is moving towards opening up their courses to the
public. Jacquie Larson of Lake-Sumter said they are doing peer review.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Friday’s meeting was brought to order at 8:52 a.m. by Ruth Ann Balla of Miami Dade College and Dr. John
Opper.
I. FDLC Workgroup Reports Workgroup Chairs
Russ Adkins of Broward College asks Susie Henderson to talk about a recent WCET presentation. Susie
discussed the Panel at WCET, which shared a multi-state approach to open textbooks and resources at
Kentucky, Utah and Florida.
II. Strategic Partnerships and Licensing Committee Vicki Westergard, Chair
Contract Updates: Blackboard, Campus Cruiser, Desire2Learn, Turnitin and Smarthinking
III. Presentation by Instructure Estelita Young & Devlin Daley
Introduction by Estelita Young and presentation and feature walkthrough of Instructure’s LMS Canvas by Devlin
Daley.
IV. Student Identity Verification Products
BREAK
i. Proctor Cam presented by Rob Toof
ii. Proctor U presented by Jarod Morgan
iii. Secure Exam presented by Steve Lesser
iv. Tegrity presented by Jeff Relue
Ruth Ann discussed a conference call scheduled for two weeks after the meeting, on eBooks. She asked if
everyone could report how their institution is doing, any initiatives, how the institutions are involved and how it’s
moving forward. Call is limited to one to one and a half hours. Melanie Jackson of South Florida Community
College is handling the initiative, open call to share data.
V. Online Admission Dr. John Opper
Dr. Opper presented slides on the Consortium’s Online Registration Assignment. The addition of adding a
“registration button” and “add a course availability indicator.” John explained how the catalog would flow through
to FACTS (referencing handout from Thursday.)
Sid Beitler asks if the FDLC is working directly with the registrar’s office or are members going to be the inbetween
people. The answer is yes to both.
Dr. Bilsky recommends the new fee not be implemented until this process is finalized. Anne asks a question
about students registering who aren’t enrolled in the school.
A question is raised about schools having one course over another that is open.

Phil asks when this will be completed. The process workflow is being finalized but the pilot will be during the Fall
semester for the Spring 2012 registration.
…………..
Adjournment
Friday’s meeting was adjourned at 12 noon, EDT.
Meeting Attendees
*Pre-Registered Attendees:
Kathy Cobb, Brevard Community College
Russ Adkins, Broward College
Chad Hyatt, CampusCruiser
Gary Smith, Clearwater Christian College
Richard Bazile, College of Central Florida
Josh Strigle, College of Central Florida
David Baker, Desire2Learn
John Baker, Desire2Learn
Cory Gaber, Desire2Learn
Dr. Judy Bilsky, Division of Florida Colleges
Susie Pontiff Stringer, FL Coastal School of Law
Ron Novy, FL Hospital College of Health Sciences
Mary Bonhomme, Florida Institute of Technology
Jana Kooi, FL State College at Jacksonville
Susann Rudasill, Florida State University
Annette Jones, Florida State University
Vicki Shirley, Board of Governors
Arifa Garman, Gulf Coast State College
Dana Livesay, Hillsborough Community College
Cade Krueger, Instructure
Devlin Daley, Instructure
Estelita Young, Instructure
Josh Coates, Instructure
Todd Hopkins, Link-Systems International, Inc.
Mary Tebes, Lynn University
Ruth Ann Balla, Miami Dade College
Anne Southard, NW FL State College
Anne Guiler, Palm Beach State College
Sidney Beitler, Palm Beach State College
Bill Waters, Pensacola State College
Cheryl Sandoe, Pasco-Hernando Comm. College
Jarod Morgan, Proctor Cam
Rob Toof, ProctorCam, Inc.
Kim Kendall, Santa Fe College
Wilma Hodges, Seminole State College
Dottie Minear, Board of Governors
Cindy Hewitt, Smarthinking
Steve Lesser, Software Secure, Inc.
Melanie Jackson, South FL Community College
Vicki Westergard, St. Petersburg College
Marilyn Dickey, Tallahassee Community College
Jeff Relue, Tegrity
Chris Newsom, University of Florida
Thomas Cavanagh, University of Central Florida
Vance Burgess, University of West Florida
Florida Distance Learning Consortium Staff:
John Opper, Executive Director
Susie Henderson, Associate Director
Robin Donaldson, The Orange Grove Project Director
Heather Thompson, Strategic Operations Manager