HLC Multi-location Visit Feedback Report | Dublin HCOM

230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
312.263.0456 | 800.621.7440
Fax: 312.263.7462 | hlcommission.org

December 21, 2018

Dr. M. Nellis
President
Ohio University
Cutler Hall
Athens, OH 45701

Dear President Nellis:

Attached is a copy of the Multi-Location Visit Report completed following the visit to Ohio University. As detailed in the report, the pattern of operations at the locations appears to be adequate and no further review or monitoring is necessary.

Within the Multi-Location Visit Report, you will find brief comments on the instructional oversight, academic services, student services, facilities, marketing and recruitment information and adequacy of assessment of student performance. Please consider these comments as advice for continued improvement of the additional locations.

Per HLC policy, completion of these visits and fulfillment of the requirement will be noted in your institution’s history record and the completed report will be included in your institution’s permanent file.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the Multi-Location Visit or the attached report, please contact Pat Newton-Curran.

Sincerely,
Higher Learning Commission

Multi-Location Visit Peer Review Report

Institution: Ohio University
Additional Locations Visited:

Peer Reviewer

Name: Robert Haas
Institution: Marion Technical College Title: Chief Strategy Officer

Instructions
In order to document effective administrative systems for managing multiple additional locations, please complete the following. For each item, check adequate or attention needed, and indicate in Comments the institution’s strengths and/or opportunities for improvement in controlling and delivering degree programs off-campus. If comments pertain to a specific location, they should be included along with the identity of that location.

Submit the completed report in PDF format. When submitting, be sure to select the following: Role – Peer Reviewer, HLC Process – Required Reports, File Type – Multi-Location Report. The report is due within 30 days after the last additional location is visited.

Overview Statement

Provide information about current additional locations and the institution’s general approach to off-campus instruction. Describe the growth pattern at the institution since the last review of off-campus instruction. Provide information about the involvement of external organizations or other higher education institutions.

Judgment of reviewer. Check appropriate box:

X_ Adequate

__ Attention Needed

Comments:

This is the first location visit in 5+ years to these locations. The Dublin location opened to students in 2014-15 and the Warrensville Heights (Cleveland) location opened to students in 2015-16. Both locations were opened to respond to a demand for degrees in Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and a desire by Ohio University to expand its program beyond the main Ohio University Campus in Athens. Since opening, the Dublin location has expanded to offer additional degrees in health-related fields and master's degrees in Business, Public Administration, and Accountancy. Growth has been steady since the locations opened and plans are for this to continue. Enrollment in the medical programs is limited by the requirements of external accrediting agencies. Plans are in place to modestly increase enrollment in the business programs at the Dublin location.

Ohio University has important partnerships at each location. In Warrensville, the Cleveland Clinic is an important strategic partner; OhioHealth is the primary health-care partner in Dublin. Both communities are also actively involved with the Ohio University staff members at these locations.

Institutional Planning

What evidence demonstrates that the institution effectively plans for growth and maintenance of
additional locations? Identify whether the institution has adequate controls in place to ensure that information presented to students is adequate. Describe whether the financial planning and budgeting process has proven effective at additional locations.

Judgment of reviewer. Check appropriate box:

X_ Adequate

__ Attention Needed

Comments:

Each location was well-maintained, and discussions during the site visit confirmed Ohio University effectively plans for the projected enrollments at both locations. Planning and budgeting is centralized through the main campus in Athens; the locations have separate budgets for building and facilty needs, much like buildings on main campus. Planning and budgeting for personnel is handled through a "One University" concept at the Athen campus. Faculty and staff at each location reported they are appropriately involved in the budgeting and
financial planning processes and they have access to reports as needed. Information presented to students is centrally prepared at the Athens campus to ensure a consistent, university-wide communication about programs, financial aid, admission requirements, and other critical information for students.

Facilities

What evidence demonstrates that the facilities at the additional locations meet the needs of the students and the curriculum? Consider, in particular, classrooms and laboratories (size, maintenance, temperature, etc.); faculty and administrative offices (site, visibility, privacy for meetings, etc.); parking or access to public transit; bookstore or text purchasing services; security; handicapped access; and other (food or snack services, study and meeting areas, etc.)

Judgment of reviewer. Check appropriate box:

X_ Adequate

__ Attention Needed

Comments:

The facilities at both locations included state of the art Anatomy Labs, classrooms and lab spaces equipped with distance learning technology used to connect the locations when needed, and appropriate faculty and administrative offices. Both locations have adequate parking, accessible facilities, good student learning spaces with adequate library resources, and excellent 24/7 security. Students have 24/7 key card access to the buildings and classrooms. Security system cameras were present throught the facilities. Meetings with students at each location confirmed that students are very satisfied with all aspects of the facilities at both locations. Faculty also confirmed that facilities meet the needs of students and enable the curriculum to be taught in an effective manner.

Instructional Oversight

What evidence demonstrates that the institution effectively oversees instruction at the additional
locations? Consider, in particular, consistency of curricular expectations and policies, availability of courses needed for program and graduation requirements, faculty qualifications, performance of instructional duties, availability of faculty to students, orientation of faculty/professional development, attention to student concerns.

Judgment of reviewer. Check appropriate box:

X_ Adequate

__ Attention Needed

Comments:

Ohio University follows a "One University" philosophy for programs offered at offsite locations. This ensures consistency of curricular expectations, faculty qualifications, performance of instructional duties, and orientation for faculty. Students at both locations reported that faculty are readily available outside of class when needed and high level of satisfaction for handing of concerns. The cohort nature of the programs offered results in no issues with the availablility of courses.

Institutional Staffing and Faculty Support

What evidence demonstrates that the institution has appropriately qualified and sufficient staff and faculty in place for the location, and that the institution supports and evaluates personnel at off-campus locations? Consider the processes in place for selecting, training, and orienting faculty at the location.

Judgment of reviewer. Check appropriate box:

X_ Adequate

__ Attention Needed

Comments:

Student-faculty ratios and faculty qualifications are specified by the respective accreditng agencies and the university meets or exceeds these requirements. Faculty are selected, trained, and oriented the same way at the main campus and remote locations. Interviews with faculty and administrators during the visits confirmed that processes for hiring, onboarding, and evaluating faculty and staff are appropriate.

Student Support

What evidence demonstrates that the institution delivers, supports, and manages necessary student services at the additional locations? Consider, in particular, the level of student access (in person, by computer, by phone, etc.) to academic advising/placement, remedial/tutorial services, and library materials/services. Also, consider the level of access to admissions, registration/student records, financial aid, and job placement services, as well as attention to student concerns.

Judgment of reviewer. Check appropriate box:

X_ Adequate

__ Attention Needed

Comments:

Ohio University maintains appropriate student support personnel for each location. In some cases, such as Financial Aid Counseling, students access the support services by connecting with the personnel on the main campus. Students reported a high level of satisfaction with all student support services, including financial aid, tutoring, admissions, registration, and counseling. Ohio University maintains a library at each location. The library includes access to OhioLink and other online databases, technology, study spaces, and textbooks that can be either borrowed or used in the library through a textbook reserve process. Ohio University provides clinical and residency placement services at each location and other career services as needed through the Athens campus.

Evaluation and Assessment

What evidence demonstrates that the institution measures, documents, and analyzes student academic performance sufficiently to maintain academic quality at the additional locations? How are measures and techniques employed at a location equivalent to those for assessment and evaluation on the main campus? Consider, in particular, the setting of measurable learning objectives, the actual measurement of performance, and the analysis and use of assessment data to maintain/improve quality.

Judgment of reviewer. Check appropriate box:

X_ Adequate

__ Attention Needed

Comments:

Ohio University uses a "One University" philosophy for setting objectives and assessing the degree to which students attain the objectives. In addition, students and faculty at both locations provided anecdotal evidence that formative assessments are used for each class session. Class sessions include the specification of learning outcomes for each session. For example, the site reviewer observed one class session in which the faculty member was reviewing a test question-by-question and committed to followup with the text publisher on one question that was not clear to the faculty or students. Students confirmed they knew the objectives for each class session and that feeback regarding their mastery of the objectives helps them learn the course material.

Continuous Improvement

What evidence demonstrates that the institution encourages and ensures continuous quality
improvement at its additional locations? Consider in particular the institution's planning and evaluation processes that ensure regular review and improvement of additional locations and ensure alignment of additional locations with the mission and goals of the institution as a whole.

Judgment of reviewer. Check appropriate box:

X_ Adequate

__ Attention Needed

Comments:

Planning for the locations is integrated with planning at the main campus in Athens as far as program planning is concerned. For example, a 2018-2021 strategic plan is followed for the
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine as a University System; planning for all of the locations that offer the program is incorporated in this plan. Evaluation of the programs offered at these locations is incorporated into the overall program evaluation for the college and is not analyzed separately for each location. Similarly, CQI is practiced across all locations and is consistent with the "One University" philosophy.

Marketing and Recruiting Information

What evidence confirms that the information presented to students in advertising, brochures, and other communications is accurate?

Judgment of reviewer. Check appropriate box:

X_ Adequate

__ Attention Needed

Comments:

Marketing and recruiting information is prepared and disseminated by the main campus in Athens to ensure a consistent message for all locations.

Summary Recommendation

Select one of the following statements. Include, as appropriate, a summary of findings.

X_ Overall, the pattern of this institution’s operations at its additional locations appears to be adequate, and no further review or monitoring by the Higher Learning Commission is necessary.

__ Overall, the pattern of this institution’s operations at its additional locations needs some attention as defined in this report. The institution can be expected to follow up on these matters without monitoring by the Higher Learning Commission. The next scheduled comprehensive review can serve to document that the matters identified have been addressed. [Identify specific areas needing organizational attention.]

__ The overall pattern of this institution’s operations at its additional locations is inadequate and requires attention from the Higher Learning Commission. [Identify the specific concerns and
provide a recommendation for HLC follow-up monitoring.]

Summary of Findings:

Ohio University's Warrensville Heights and Dublin locations are excellent facilties for the programs offered. Ohio University provides appropriate student support, including advising, marketing, registration, offering student clubs, financial aid services, and tutoring. Faculty are involved with program decisions and are seamlessly connected to the primary campus in Athens. Students and faculty are involved in the local communities. The locations are highly secure and accessible.

Notification Program for Additional Locations Approval Form

Complete this form only if an institution has been granted access to the Notification Program for Additional Locations. The Institutional Status and Requirements Report for the institution will indicate whether the institution has access to the Program under “Location Stipulation.”