The Daily Bulletin Archive

At its December 13, 2019, meeting, the College Senate voted in favor of a resolution on a DOPS Policy on Approved Applied Learning:

WHEREAS, the campus strategic plan of 2016 states:

1.1  Ensure every student engages in multiple high-impact practices during their academic career.

1.1.1 Develop a comprehensive retention, engagement, and persistence framework to ensure that high-impact practices are delivered effectively.

1.1.2 Offer an applied learning experience for every Buffalo State College student.

1.1.3 Increase the number of opportunities for integrated learning, including learning communities.

1.1.4 Increase opportunities for undergraduate research.

1.1.6 Include faculty participation in high-impact practices into evaluation; and

WHEREAS, SUNY requires that Approved Applied Learning be reported annually by number of seats and category of opportunity; and

WHEREAS, Approved Applied Learning has no current centralized method for course approval, assessment, and oversight; and

WHEREAS, MSCHE expects that educational programs be assessed. According to Standard V, Educational Effectiveness Assessment, if applied learning is included as an integral part of the Buffalo State College experience, MSCHE expects us to (1) assess how well we are meeting that goal, and (2) use the results of our assessment to improve our performance,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that undergraduate and graduate course sections that meet the following requirements be designated as Approved Applied Learning and carry the appropriate AAL designation. Designation is awarded to a specific instructor for each course.

1. The course must be an existing and active course, one already approved by the College Senate Curriculum Committee.

2. The course meets all the following SUNY criteria for Approved Applied Learning:

a. Activity is structured, intentional, and authentic
b. Activity requires preparation, orientation, and training
c. Activity must include monitoring and continuous improvement
d. Activity requires structured reflection and acknowledgment
e. Activity must be assessed and evaluated

3. The course meets at least one of the types of Approved Applied Learning, which include the following:

a. Internship
b. Clinical placement
c. Practicum
d. Clinically rich practice
e. Service learning
f. Community service
g. Civic engagement
h. Creative works
i. Research
j. Entrepreneurship
k. Field study
l. International and domestic travel/exchange and study away

4. The course instructor completes the Approved Applied Learning course narrative submission form for the course section(s) to be awarded this designation.

All submissions are approved by the department chair, the associate dean of the appropriate school, and the Approved Applied Learning Oversight Committee.

The Approved Applied Learning designation can be renewed for each instructor and course section on a three-year cycle.

I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate regarding the DOPS policy on Approved Applied Learning. I charge the provost with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this policy change and for communicating the change to the campus community.