Parkspeak: A Glossary for New Faculty

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• Academic Director (AD) — The AD serves Program Coordinators and the Assessment Leadership and Support Team (ALST) by functioning as the key person and point of contact for assessment at the University's Campus Centers located throughout the country.
  
• Academic Division — Humanities (H), Social Sciences (SS), Math/Natural Sciences (M/NS), and Composition (C).
  
• Academic Support Center (ASC) — The mission of the Park University Academic Support Center is to encourage and help students achieve academic excellence during their studies at Park by helping them learn to think critically, communicate effectively, and become independent learners in order that they may engage in lifelong learning and better serve a global community.  Visit ASC Online at http://www.park.edu/support/.
  
• Academic Year (AY) — That portion of each calendar year which starts August 15th and ends August 14th of the following calendar year.
  
• Accelerated Programs — Park’s accelerated degree programs give working adults a convenient way to finish a degree and advance their career. Visit Park's accelerated degree site at http://www.park.edu/KC/.
  
• Accrediting Agency — A nationally recognized agency or association which the Secretary of Education determines to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered by an educational institution (i.e., for Park University, North Central Association).
  
• Add Date — This is the last day a student is able to add a course to his/her schedule.  This is typically the same date as the Drop Date (Add/Drop Date).
  
• Adjunct Faculty Member (AFM)—An auxiliary Faculty Member who teaches University students, but who is not a Member of the Bargaining Unit.
  
• Already Qualified — A student is considered “already qualified” if he/she has previously completed a program at the same level and in the same field of study for which application is now being made. 
  
• American Council on Education (ACE)—The American Council on Education recognizes that for colleges and universities to be truly excellent in today's global society, they must have an international outlook in teaching, research, and service.  The goals of ACE's international initiatives are to: 1)Serve as a resource on internationalization and global issues for member institutions and other stakeholders, 2)Help U.S. institutions enhance their international activities, dimensions, and outlook, 3)Advocate for international education to policy makers and the public, 4)Maintain active linkages with associations and organizations around the world and promote international collaboration through meetings and projects with partner organizations.
  
• American College Testing/Proficiency Examination Program (ACT/PEP).
• Annual Review—All full-time faculty members are subject to an annual review.  More information, including the Annual Review form, can be found in the online faculty manual.
  
• Appointment Letter — Taken from Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement: A letter that offers a University teaching position to a new instructor who, if hired as a full-time Faculty Member by the University would become a Faculty Member, which will outline the Annual Salary and the obligations of the person to whom the Appointment Letter is addressed, which if signed by the addressee, will result in that person's employment by the University; such an Appointment Letter will be used when offering employment to a non-University employee, and when offering a position to an existing Faculty Member that is significantly different from the position the Faculty Member occupied at the time the new Appointment Letter is delivered. When an Appointment Letter has been signed on behalf of the University, and by the person to whom the employment offer has been made, the Appointment Letter, together with this Agreement, will constitute the agreement upon which employment has been accepted.  
  
• Assessment — Ongoing processes aimed at understanding and improving student learning. Assessment involves making our expectations explicit and public; setting appropriate criteria and high standards for learning quality; systematically gathering, analyzing and interpreting evidence to determine how well performance matches those expectations and standards (AAHE Bulletin, November 1995, p. 7).
  
• Assistant Academic Director — The Assistant Academic Director aides the Academic Director in an effort to assure the academic integrity, quality and productivity of each Campus Center, to include Online,  in an effort to ensure students receive the highest quality education and instruction, and to manually create and promote a cohesive Park University environment.

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• Backout — Disenrolling after the add/drop period of a term.  Financial and academic record adjustments are made to indicate student was never enrolled in class.
  
• Bookstore— Also referred to as MBS. The Park University bookstore is your source for school supplies, books, t-shirts, snacks and other general student needs.  Books can be purchased and/or sold.  Visit the bookstore Online at http://www.park.edu/bookstore.
  
• Boyer Model — A model of scholarship based on Ernest L. Boyer, Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of the Professoriate. (Stanford, CA.: The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 1990) and other writings by Ernest L. Boyer, as are published by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and other publishers, as described in Appendix G of the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  
• Building Abbreviations for Parkville Campus
  AL – Alumni Hall
  CERLAB – Ceramics Lab
  CH – Chapel
  CO – Copley
  MA – Mabee Underground
  MC – Mackay
  SC – Science Hall

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• Campus Activities Board (CAB)—CAB is dedicated to expanding both the quality and the quantity of student activities, and strives to find new and unique ways to make Park University fun for the student.
  
• Campus Center—A location at which the University offers academic programs, in face-to-face and/or Online class format.  Park University has 42 Campus Centers in 21 states across the country.  For more information, see http://www.park.edu/extended/.
  
• Campus Center Academic Director—The University’s senior academic officer at a Campus Center, other than the Parkville Campus Center, who reports to an Associate Dean/Dean.
  
• Campus Center Director—The University’s senior Administrative Officer at a Campus Center other than the Parkville Daytime Campus Center.
  
• Career Development Center (CDC)—The CDC is set up to assist students with career planning, internships, and to help the student find a job after graduation, etc. For information visit http://www.park.edu/career/.
  
• Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)—The mission of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is to promote the practice and profession of teaching at Park University.  CETL seeks to support all faculty in sharing best practices, achieving greater innovation in curriculum and method, and pursuing their scholarly research and publishing goals.  Visit CETL online at http://www.park.edu/cetl/.
  
• Classroom Observation — Pursuant to Appendices E and F of the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement, all full-time faculty members are observed in their classes as part of the periodic review process.  To find out more information, including accessing the Classroom Observation form, visit the faculty manual in MyPark.
  

•  Clock Hour — A unit of measurement used in awarding recognition to students on completion of a particular course.  This is defined for institutions of higher learning as a 50-minute period. 
  
• College for Distance Learning (CDL) — (see also: Park Distance Learning)
  
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) —CLEP exams are subject examinations by which a student can earn college credits.
  
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) —CLAS consists of faculty and students in fourteen departments and numerous other curricular and extracurricular programs.  CLAS is the largest school/college on campus. For more information, visit www.park.edu/clas.
  
• Commercial Underground — Parkville’s Commercial Underground offers businesses a unique opportunity to lease high-quality facilities at a reduced cost with access to the latest technology, major urban areas and key transportation hubs.   For more information visit http://www.park.edu/pcu/index.shtml.
  
• Course Description Abbreviations —

   AC - Accounting

                                AN - Anthropology  

                                AR - Art  
                                AT – Athletic Training/Sports Medicine

                                AV – Aviation

                                BI – Biology

                                CA – Communication Arts

                                CH – Chemistry

                                CJ – Criminal Justice

                                CO – Construction

                                CS – Computer Science

                                EC – Economics

                                EDC – Education, Early Childhood

                                EDE – Education, Elementary

                                EDM – Education, Middle School

                                EDS – Education, Secondary

                                EDU – Education

                                EG – Engineering

                                EI – English as an International Language

                                EN – English

                                FI – Finance

                                GGH – Human Geography

                                GGP – Physical Geography

                                GO – Geology

                                HC – Health Care

                                HI – History

                                HN – Honors

                                HR – Human Resources

                                IB – International Business

                                IS – Information Systems

                                LA – Latin American Studies

                                LG – Logistics

                                LS – Liberal Studies

                                MA – Mathematics

                                MG – Management

                                MI – Military Science
                                MK - Marketing

                                ML – Modern Languages

                                MR – Medical Records

                                MU – Music

                                NS – Natural and Life Sciences

                                NU – Nursing

                                PC – Peace Studies

                                PE – Physical Education

                                PH – Philosophy

                                PK – Park Basic Skills

                                PO – Political Science

                                PS – Psychology

                                PY – Physics

                                RE – Religion

                                SO – Sociology

                                SS – Social Science

                                SU – Surveying

                                SW – Social Work

                                TH - Theatre

• Concurrent Enrollment — Enrollment by a student in more than one school at the same time.  The primary institution certifies that courses taken at the supplemental school will be accepted at full credit toward the student’s current approved program using form FL 22-315 or an equivalent. 
  
• Confirm — To confirm classes a student must pay or make arrangement to pay for his/her classes.  After the confirmation deadline students must contact their Campus Center to register and must pay at that time.
  
• Contact Hour — A measure of the number of hours a student spends in class.  Fifteen contact hours equals one semester hour.
  
• Core Assessment (CA) — Core Assessment is the ultimate measurement of the Core Learning Outcomes and is a required syllabus component for all courses in the Park University system. The Core Assessment is a written assignment or performance and shall address at least three-quarters of the Core Learning Outcomes for the course including activities associated with the ability to think critically and communicate effectively. The Core Assessment should not occur before the last quarter of the course and carry a weight of no less than twenty percent less of the total grade. The Core Assessment Rubric (CAR) is uniform for all sections of a particular course, and the relevant Core Assessment and rubric must be included in all syllabi. Modifications of the defined Core Assessment activity are not permitted.  Faculty can find the approved Core Assessment/Rubric for their course on the Syllabus repository site (www.park.edu/syllabus) by clicking on “Core Learning Outcomes”.
  
• Core Assessment Rubric (CAR)—Specific measures used in Core Assessment: a scoring guide that is adapted by a department and used for institutional assessment.
  
• Core Learning Outcome (CLO)—Departmentally-required learning outcome that has been submitted and approved. Three fourths of these shall be measured by the Core Assessment.  Faculty can find the approved Core Assessment/Rubric for their course on the Syllabus repository site

(www.park.edu/syllabus) by clicking on “Core Learning Outcomes”. 

• Credit Hour — A unit of measurement used in awarding recognition to a student at completion of a particular course; usually based on a semester or quarter term system.
  
• Curriculum Committee — A university committee charged with the review of all matters pertaining to undergraduate curricula.

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• Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES)—An Education entity which provides support to the voluntary education programs of all military services.   DANTES provides a testing program that may be used to provide veterans with college credit of a GED certificate. 
  
• Degree Audit — An advisement tool that guides the student towards degree completion.  Faculty use this tool when advising students.
  
• Delivery Mode — The way in which material for a course is taught: resident, independent study, practical training, correspondence, etc.
  
• Department Chair — Department Chairs are full-time faculty members with administrative duties who are also responsible for their respective academic areas. The Chair position is an appointed position, and Chairs serve at the pleasure of their Associate Dean/Dean. 
  
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—Please visit http://www.va.gov/ for more information.
  
• Developer Contract — Faculty who develop courses Online will sign an Online Course Developer Contract which stipulates the development compensation, timeline, and maintenance.
  
• Developer Syllabus Template—(see also: Syllabus)
  
• Director of Academic Services (DACS).
  
• Director of Administrative Services (DADS).
  
• Director of Extended Learning Administrative and Academic Services (DELAAS).
  
• Director of State Approval and Licensure (DSAL).
• Distance Learning Advisory Council (DLAC).
  
• Double Major — A student who is pursuing two degree programs concurrently.
  
• Downtown Campus — (see also: METRO-PARK)
  
• Drop Period — A brief period of time at the beginning of the term officially designated by a school for dropping courses.  The school’s last day to drop a course will be the end of the drop period, providing it does not exceed thirty days from the first day of the term.

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• Explorations and Transformations 2012 (E&T 2012)—The result of a comprehensive strategic planning initiative that took place over an 18-month period and involved 128 stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and community leaders. The strategic plan was based on University-wide programmatic review, self-assessment and benchmarking, and included extensive environmental scanning.  For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/facultymanual/EandT2012.htm
  
• eCollege — eCollege is Park University’s Online learning platform provider.  eCollege gives the University two products — eCompanion shells are Online sites to accompany face-to-face courses and eCourse shells are 100% Online courses. 
  
• Enrollment Adjustment Form (EAF) —This is the form for students who wish to add, drop, or exchange classes.
  
• Enrollment Data Sheet (EDS)—The EDS lists the course numbers and titles of courses a student is taking during a term.  The EDS also lists the total tuition for the course and any incurred fees.  Both the student and the Administrator must sign the EDS making the EDS a legal contract.
  
• Evaluation (students)—A process in which the student is admitted into a Park University degree completion program and awarded credit for previous educational experiences.

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• Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement (FCBA) —The FBCA is the faculty contract.  The most recent FCBA can be found online in the Faculty Manual.
  
• Faculty Development Endowment Fund (FDE)—The University’s Faculty Development Endowment Fund exists to improve the academic programs at the University through direct financial grants by the University to faculty members for uses that are consistent with a faculty member’s Professional Development Plan. Grants for the FDE Fund (“FDE Grants”) are available to fund professional development activities for full-time faculty.   For more information, visit the faculty manual online.
  
• Faculty Federation — Park University Faculty Federation, Local 3576, Missouri Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, AFLCIO.
  
• Faculty Handbook — The Faculty Handbook reviews policies relevant to teaching at Park University and is located within the faculty manual online.
  
• Faculty Member (FM)—Any person who is in an instructor role at the University.  These include Full-Time, Part-Time, and Adjunct.
  
• Faculty Senate — A governing and advisory body of the University composed of elected Faculty Members.
  
• Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL)—Pell grants are awarded solely on demonstrated financial need to every eligible undergraduate student who hasn't already earned a bachelor's or professional degree.
  
• Full-Time Student — A student enrolled in six academic hours of credit.

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• Graduate School of Education (GSE) — (see also: M.ED).
  
• Graduate School of Public Affairs (GSPA) — (see also: HSPA).
  
• Grow Your Own Program — Park University’s Grow Your Own Program is designed for full-time faculty members who are seeking financial assistance to defray the costs associated with working toward completion of a terminal degree.  Visit http://www.park.edu/facultymanual/GrowYourOwn.htm for more information.

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• Half-Time Student — A student who is enrolled in three academic hours of credit in a term in an accelerated program.
  
• Hauptmann School for Public Affairs (HSPA)—The Hauptmann School offers the Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) degree to build the knowledge base, decision-making capability, critical thinking, and governing expertise of managers and leaders in government, business, industry and the nonprofit sector.   (see also: GSPA)  For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/grad/hspa-general.aspx.
  
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — An independent corporation and one of two commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA_, which is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.  For more information, visit: www.ncahlc.org/. 
  
• Hold — On student’s records in CARS.  Can be established for either financial or academic reasons.

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• Incomplete — Faculty members who wish to assign a grade of “I” (incomplete) for a student should not submit a grade for the student.  However, the faculty member must complete and submit the Contract for Incomplete form to the Registrar.  For more information, see the University catalog at http://www.park.edu/catalog.
  
• Independent Study (IS)—Delivery mode that requires interaction between student and faculty, but does not require regularly scheduled class sessions. 
  
• Individualized Instruction (II)—A method by which students in accelerated programs may complete existing courses by means of a tutorial mode of instruction.
  
• InSight — InSight is a refereed journal published annually by CETL (The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) which features theoretical and empirically-based research articles, critical reflection pieces, case studies and classroom innovations relevant to teaching, learning and assessment. Unique from many discipline-based and teaching-oriented journals, InSight focuses each edition on a specific topic or theme relevant to current trends in higher education.  InSight is available for national submission starting April 2008.  For more information visit: www.insightjournal.net
  
• Information Technology Services (ITS)—Visit ITS Online at http://captain.park.edu/its/.
  
• Instructor Added Learning Outcome — Learning Outcome appended to the Core Learning Outcomes by individual instructors and approved by the department. Learning Outcomes consist of two mutually exclusive groups: Core and Instructor Added.
  
• Instructional Designer — Instructional Designers at Park University work out of the Park Distance Learning (PDL)  and assist faculty course developers in designing content for Online courses.
  
• Institutional Review Board (IRB)—Park University complies with all Federal regulations (e.g., 45 CFR 46) with respect to the ethical treatment and protection of human and animal research participants. Park University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversees the ethical conduct of research at Park University.  Park University is registered with the U.S. Federal Government’s Office of Human Research Protections (IORG Identifier IORG0003602).  Visit http://www.park.edu/irb/ for more information.

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• Jenzabar CX (aka CARS)—The primary purpose of CARS is to enable you to enter, maintain, and report information about your institution's applicants, students, alumni, and financial transactions.

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• Kansas City Area (KCA)—All Campus Centers located within the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
  

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• Learning Outcome — Statement of measurable goals for a particular course. These will align themselves with Program Competencies and/or the Mission Statement. These are classified as Core or Instructor Added.
  
• Liberal Learning Course (LL)—The Liberal Learning Program is intended to confront the student with a learning experience above the sophomore level in areas outside the major. The program should aid students to become more aware of this world and themselves. It intends to develop within students a concern for contemporary issues and assist them to understand these issues and make informed judgments about them.
• Liberal Education Program — In fall 2008, faculty approved a new general education curriculum—Integrative Literacies for Global Citizenship— a 37-hour program required of all students, in all degree programs, and at all Campus Centers. The core and elective courses in the program relate to the Park University literacies: analytical and critical thinking, community and civic responsibility, scientific inquiry, ethics and values, literary an dartisitc expression, and integrative and interdisciplinary thinking.
  
• Lower Division (l/d) — Designates course work at a college freshman or sophomore level.

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• Master of Business Administration (MBA)—The MBA Program provides training to individuals to think critically and effectively to find solutions to management problems. It also prepares students to excel in managerial and technical skills necessary for leadership positions in worldwide and technologically sophisticated market environments. Significance is also placed on developing the skills and techniques required to effectively implement decisions.  For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/grad/masters-mba.aspx.
• Master of Communication and Leadership (MCOL)—This graduate program is designed for professionals who wish to build on their current career skills, advance to a new position or organization, or desire personal enrichment.  The complexities of relationships and the competitive nature of business demand leaders with highly polished interpersonal and organizational skills. This degree provides the practical and hteoretical knowledge needed to serve in corporate settings, the military, non-profit, government, politics, or other arenas.  For more information, visit: http://www.park.edu/grad/masters-cl.aspx.
  
• Master of Education (M. Ed.)—The Master of Education (M. Ed.) degree is designed to meet the practical needs of the classroom teacher. A praxis model, that ties theory and practice together, is used in each course. A primary goal of the degree is to develop reflective educators who can be change agents in the lives of their students, in their school and communities.  For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/grad/masters-edu.aspx.
  
• Master of Healthcare Leadership (MHL)—The MHL program is designed for those individuals who are currently, or aspire to be, leaders in healthcare.  For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/grad/mhl-general.html.
  
• Master of Public Affairs (MPA) — (see also: HSPA)
  
• Master Plan — A Master Plan will provide a vision for, and a rationale to support physical development on the Park University campus today and in the future. It will recognize the bluff-side setting, the academic focus, and the culture that are unique to Park University. For more information, visit http://www.parkvideo.net/news/publish/mp/news_0016.shtml.
  
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)—An agreement with a military installation which allows Park University to operate on the installation.  Also used when dealing with outside contractors. 
  
• METRO-PARK — This is also known as the downtown campus.  For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/downtown/index.aspx.
  
• Mission — The mission of Park University provides access to a quality higher education experience that prepares a diverse community of learners to think critically, communicate effectively, demonstrate a global perspective and engage in lifelong learning and service to others. For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/about/Description/mission.asp.
  
• MLL — Multicultural/Global Education GE courses. 
• MyPark — MyPark is a personalized web page which students and faculty members can customize to meet their informational needs. This portal is a web service that is designed to be a "one-stop" place for Park faculty and students to access important information on the web. It also serves as a gateway to many online resources and communication tools at Park University. MyPark was previously known as PIrateNet.  For more information, visit: https://my.park.edu/ics/.

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• Non-Degree Seeking (NDS)—Students who take college (undergraduate or graduate) credit but who are not seeking a degree.  The credit is typically used as professional development within their place of business. 
  
• Non-Punitive Grade — A grade that does not count for credit towards graduation, does not affect a student’s degree program, and for which VA education assistance benefits are not paid.  Such grades usually involve withdrawals, audits, or incomplete grades given for courses.
  
• Nonstandard Term — A term which is of a shorter or longer length than a standard quarter or semester.  Generally, the number of instructor-student contact hours is increased or decreased proportionately to compensate for the different length.
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) — One of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States, the NCA oversees the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Commission on Accrediation and School Improvement (CASI).  The NCA requires its commission members to have accrediting processes thatfoster quality, encourage academic excellence, and improve teaching and learning.  NCA also encourages and supports cooperative relationships among schools, colleges and universities that hold membership in the Association.  For more information, visit: www.northcentralassociation.org/. 

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• Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)—The mission of the Office of Sponsored Programs is to enhance the environment for research and creative activities at Park University, to encourage and facilitate external funding for faculty projects, and to support the University’s pursuit of academic excellence.  For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/osp/.
  
• Online Course Developer — Course developers are part-time or full-time faculty selected by their Department Chairs to develop content for Online courses.  Course Developers complete training through the College for Distance Learning, where they work with an Instructional Designer throughout the design and review process.  Online Course Developers are responsible for continually maintaining the quality of their Online content.
  
• Overload — Any course a faculty member teaches in which additional compensation will be paid.  Faculty must fill out the appropriate form and approval of overload will be based upon University need.  For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/facultymanual/Forms.htm.

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• Park Google Apps— The email system for all faculty, students and alumni.  Google Apps replaced the PirateMail system.  To access Park email visit http://www.park.edu/mail/.  For more information, visit: http://news.park.edu/pub/news_001349.shtml and https://piratenet.park.edu/ics/Student_Services/help_desk/. 
• Park Distance Learning (PDL) — The PDL assists diverse segments of the population in achieving career and personal goals throughout their total educational experience.  The PDL consists of two entities: The School for Extended Learning (SEL) and the School for Online Learning (SOL).  The PDL is located on the Parkville campus in the Commercial Underground with campus centers across the country.  For more information, visit: http://military.park.edu/cdl.shtml. 
  
• Park Student Government Association (PSGA)—All full-time Park students are members of the Student Senate. PSGA helps explore campus issues of importance to Park University students and initiates campus activities and involvement opportunities for the Parkville Campus and beyond. Student Senate certifies new student organizations, oversees the Student Life fee, and provides funding and assistance to student clubs.
• Park Student Success Center (PSSC)—The first stop for many students, the PSSC is availalbe for all students regardless of their campus location.  The PSSC can assist students with registering, financial aid, applying, and much more.  For more information, visit www.park.edu/pssc/.
  
• People @ Park Directory — Directory based on voluntary usage.  Faculty and Staff can upload their picture and post information about themselves for other faculty, staff and students (both prospective and current) to reference.  Visit this site at: http://www.park.edu/peopleatpark/. .
  
• Personnel Panel — A panel elected by the full-time faculty who review the performance of full-time Faculty Members, and make recommendations to the Provost and President regarding the reappointment and promotion of Faculty Members.
  
• Portfolio Program — Non-Traditional Degree Completion Program.  An individualized degree completion program of the University for adult students which allows them to complete a B.A. while employed.  Under this program credit may be awarded by the University for a student’s experiential learning and for prior college or university courses completed by a Portfolio Student.  Visit http://www.park.edu/Portfolio/ for more information.
  
• Practical Training — Field or laboratory experience that allows students to apply studies to theory such as a health practicum.
  
• Professional Development Plan — A plan prepared by a Faculty Member which establishes the course of action that the Faculty Member will undertake to further the Faculty Member’s Professional Development within that Faculty Member’s Primary Teaching Field and that Faculty Member’s Secondary Teaching Field, if any, as described in Article 8 of the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement: 
  
• Program Competencies — Departmentally-established skills or knowledge that a successful student will master upon completion of the degree.
  
• Program Coordinator (PC)—Program Coordinators are faculty members with administrative duties that help ensure the academic quality of degree programs.  The PC, together with the appropriate Department/Program Chair, holds a primary responsibility for coordinating the successful implementation of assessment activities for their respective discipline(s). 

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• Quarter Hours — A measure of the amount of time a student spends in class.  Quarter hours are multiplied by 2 and divided by 3 to convert to semester hours.

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• Refresher Course — A unit of instruction at the elementary or secondary level which provides a review or update of previously completed course work.
  
• Regional Academic Director/Online Academic Director (RAD/OAD)—The Regional Academic Directors/Online Academic Directors ensure Academic Directors are promoting academic integrity to ensure students receive the highest quality education and instruction.  Regional Academic Directors/Online Academic Directors will guide the Academic Directors in working with faculty on hiring, training, mentoring, grade challenges, and performance reviews.  They will schedule consultations as needed for the Campus Center Directors for grade challenges to include the Online environment. In addition, the Regional Academic Directors/Online Academic Directors will serve as consultants and liaisons with the Parkville campus, serve on the Academic Advisory Council at their local level, and must be willing to travel.  The local level Academic Advisory Council will consist of local Academic Directors and faculty. 
  
• Regional Director (RD)—The Regional Director supports the College for Distance Learning (CDL), the Dean for CDL, and the Associate Dean for CDL on academic issues, the Director of State Approval & Licensure on policy issues, and the Associate Vice President for Administration (AVPA) on administrative issues.
  
• Registration Adjustment Period — The first eight calendar days of a semester/term constitutes the Registration Adjustment Period. Within this time, the student will be permitted to exchange classes without financial penalty.  (i.e. add a course, drop a course, etc.)
  
• Release Time — The substitution of a portion of a Faculty Member’s Standard Teaching Load in exchange for a work assignment approved by the Provost.
  

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• Scholarship — Scholarship is defined as those activities that systematically advance teaching, research, and practice through rigorous inquiry; the creation of new knowledge; and the dissemination of that knowledge in peer-reviewed forums.  For more information, see the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement:  http://www.park.edu/facultysenate/documents/FACULTYCOLLECTIVEBARGAININGAGREEMENT.pdf.
  
• Scholarship of Community — Scholarship is a collective activity. It is sharing ideas between like-minded researchers, participating in conference activities, public musical performances and gallery shows, peer review of papers, and similar activities. Although the creation of all Scholarship encompasses periods of solitary reflection and individual work, real Scholarship is only fully formed and disseminated through interaction with others. It is often thought that the interaction occurs between scholars in the same discipline, often at different institutions. While a significant component of the scholarship is discipline-specific, components of the Scholarships of Teaching, Engagement, Discovery, and Integration are discipline neutral. Scholarship, particularly in teaching, engagement, and integration only reaches high quality when it is shared, critiqued, and molded by input from those across a wide range of disciplines. While all Faculty Members of the University have a responsibility to participate in its intellectual life, the Faculty Member and administration have a central responsibility to foster the intellectual collaboration essential for a vital and vibrant community of scholars. Central to this responsibility are core issues including: respect for the Scholarship of others; active engagement in the community; and appreciation for the efforts and results of others.  For more information, see the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  
• Scholarship of Discovery — The Scholarship of Discovery is inquiry that produces the disciplinary and professional knowledge that is at the very heart of academic pursuits. The Scholarship of Discovery takes the form of primary research and creative activity that advances the knowledge of the discipline. It increasingly is interdisciplinary and collaborative in nature, across professional groups and within professional disciplines. (Examples: peer-reviewed publications of research, theory, or philosophical essays; presentations of research, theory, or philosophical essays; performances; exhibitions; grant awards in support of research; mentorship of junior colleagues in research or scholarship; state, regional, national, or international recognition as a scholar within a specific discipline; and positive peer evaluations of the body of work).  For more information, see the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  
• Scholarship of Engagement — Scholarship of Engagement is the interaction of theory and practices that result in the creation of new knowledge and/or the innovative application of disciplinary knowledge to specific problems. It engages Faculty Member’s in academically relevant work (including applied research and outreach to businesses, communities, and individuals) that simultaneously meets the mission of the University and the needs of the community. In essence, it is a scholarly agenda that integrates community issues. In this definition, community is broadly defined to include audiences external to the University that are part of a collaborative process to contribute to the public good.  (Examples: peer-reviewed publications of research; policy analysis; case studies; and other—copyrights, licenses, patents, or products for sale; published books; positive peer evaluations of contributions to the Scholarship of Engagement; grant awards for outreach and community engagement; presentations and policy papers designed to influence organizations or governments; and positive peer evaluations of the body of work).  For more information, see the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  
• Scholarship of Integration — The Scholarship of Integration refers to writing and other products that use concepts and original works from other disciplines in creating new patterns, placing knowledge in a larger context, or illuminating data in a more meaningful way. The Scholarship of Integration emphasizes the interconnection of ideas and brings new insight to bear on original concepts and research. Critical analysis and interpretation are two common methodologies, but interdisciplinary work may take place through any medium of scholarship such as those described as discovery, teaching, or practice. Original work in the Scholarship of Integration takes place at the margins, or interface, between two or more disciplines. It serves to respond to both intellectual questions and pressing human problems by creating knowledge or combining knowledge in applications that offer new paradigms and insights. (Examples: peer-reviewed publications of research; policy analysis; case studies; integrative reviews of the literature, and others—copyrights, licenses, patents, or products for sale; published books; positive peer evaluations of contributions to integrative scholarship; reports of interdisciplinary programs or service projects; interdisciplinary grant awards; presentations and policy papers designed to influence organizations or governments; and positive peer evaluations of the body of work).  For more information, see the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  
• Scholarship of Teaching — The Scholarship of Teaching is inquiry that produces knowledge to support the transfer of disciplinary skills and information from the expert to the novice, building bridges between the instructor’s understanding and the student’s learning. This scholarly activity supports the development of educational environments that embrace diverse learning styles, and increasingly, places the focus of education on the student. The Scholarship of Teaching increases the effectiveness of the transfer of discipline-specific knowledge, and adds to deeper understanding of both the discipline and pedagogy. The Scholarship of Teaching is conducted through application of knowledge of the discipline or specialty area in the teaching-learning process, the development of innovative teaching and evaluation methods, program development, learning outcome evaluation, and professional role modeling. (Examples: peer reviewed publications of research related to teaching methodology or learning outcomes; case studies related to teaching-learning; learning theory development; and development or testing of educational models or theories; accreditation or other comprehensive program reports; peer assessments of innovations in teaching; state, regional, national, or international recognition of a master instructor; published textbooks or other learning aids; grant awards in support of teaching and learning; design of outcome studies or evaluation/assessment programs; presentations related to teaching and learning; and positive peer evaluations of a body of work).  For more information, see the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) — Systematic reflection on teaching and learning made public.
  
• Scholarships (SCHO)—Financial Aid provided by Park University and other entities.  Please visit http://www.park.edu/scholarship/ for more information.
  
• School for Education (SOE)—The School for Education at Park University, an institution committed to diversity and best practice, prepares educators to be effective teachers, leaders in their communities, change agents in their schools, and advocates for learners. For more information, visit http://www.park.edu/education/.
  
• School for Extended Learning (SEL)—SEL is housed within the College for Distance Learning (CDL) and provides quality, multifaceted, and cost-competitive learning experiences for non-traditional students, to enable study in and impact upon the communities in which they live and work.  SEL is responsible for the administrative coordination of Park University’s Campus Centers.  Find out more about SEL programs at http://www.park.edu/extended/proginfo.asp#sel.
• School for Online Learning (SOL)—SOL is housed within the College for Distance Learning (CDL) and administers Park University’s Online Campus Center.  Online courses are offered in five, eight-week terms throughout the year.  Most students take Online courses in addition to their face-to-face course schedule, even on the Parkville campus.  SOL handles the training of Online Course Instructors and Online Course Developers.  To find out more, visit http://www.park.edu/online/.  
• Second Major — May be obtained “after” completing a bachelors degree (contact Registrar for details).
  
• Section Code — This defines the location of the course. For example, HO is for Parkville Campus location and BL is for Fort Bliss. If there is more than one of the same course being offered at a single location, then you will have HOA, HOB, HOC, etc.  For campus location section codes see http://www.park.edu/acadcalendar/Details.aspx?item=section.
  
• Session — This indicates the term, year and campus at which a student is enrolled. For example, S2T06 indicates that a student is enrolled in an Online class in Spring II, 2006.
  
• Shared Governance — An underlying principle of the governance of the University that recognizes that Faculty Members share a role to play in the governance of the academic affairs of the University.  For more information, see the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Student Assistance Center—Enrollment Services and the Student Assistance Center provide support for Parkville students. The website (www.park.edu/sac/) contains links to the library, forms, testing center, calendars, and more.
  
• Syllabus Repository—All faculty at Park University are required to post their syllabi Online, using the University syllabus template, prior to each term/semester.  Syllabi are reviewed and approved by Program Coordinators.  Online Course Developers create syllabus templates for use in all Online sections of a given course.  Please visit http://www.park.edu/syllabus/ for more information.

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• Temporary Deployment (TDY)—Many of our students are on active duty while attending courses or completing courses Online.  Students who are temporarily deployed work with their faculty to determine the best options for completing coursework.
  
• Tenure Committee — A Committee elected by the full-time Faculty Members, is composed of Tenured Faculty Members, reviews applications from Faculty Members for Tenure, and makes recommendations to the Provost.
  
• Trackit — This is a system used to report technical problems or request assistance for the University.  This is typically used for computer/phone systems. The email address to send such requests is trackit@park.edu.  “When in doubt, Trackit!”
  
• Tuition Assistance (TA)—Tuition Assistance is provided by the Government for military students.
  
• Tuition Remission (TR)—TR is provided to Park Faculty and Staff for themselves and dependents.

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• University Advancement (UA)—This department is in charge of all contact with media, web designs, web updates, any graphic design needed, and the raising of funds.
  
• University Assessment Committee (UAC)—See http://www.park.edu/assessment/ for more information.
  
• Update — A process by which transfer credit can be added to a student’s academic records after the evaluation has been completed.
  
• Upper Division (u/d) — Designated course work at a college junior or senior level.

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• Validated Learning Equivalency (VLE)—Credit awarded for non-collegiate educational experiences. 
  
• Vision — Park University, a pioneering institution of higher learner since 1875, will provide leadership in quality, innovative education for a diversity of learners who will excel in their professional and personal service to the global community.   For more information, visit: http://www.park.edu/about/Description/mission.asp.

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• Withdrawal Date — The last day to withdraw from a class. There are two types of withdrawal, official and administrative. An official withdrawal begins when the student initiates the withdrawal process. If a student fails to initiate the withdrawal process, and is withdrawn for nonattendance, this is an administrative withdrawal.  Students must officially withdraw from a class(es) no later than two-thirds of the way through the term in order to receive a "W." If a student does not officially withdraw by this time, a grade of "F" will be recorded.

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