A Unique Partnership

SHEEOAugust 17, 2002

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Why a Partnership in Sioux Falls? The Universities

USD – Professional schools with Doctoral, Med and Law Schools

SDSU – Land grant DSU – Technology focused mission

The Community South Dakota’s largest community – 18% of state’s

total population - growing at 2% per year South Dakota’s strongest economy – Sioux Falls

drives South Dakota No public higher education serving the community

beyond technical education

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Why a Partnership? (cont.)

The State Declining population in all but a handful of the

67 counties Declining K-12 enrollment in all the state

except Sioux Falls and SE South Dakota The Politics

Sioux Falls has 21 of 105 votes in Legislature or 20% control

Sioux Falls area is closer to 33% of Legislature Sioux Falls area will certainly control more in the

future

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Stages of DevelopmentStage 1 – Class delivery site

A place for universities to deliver a few classes.Part-time students almost exclusivelyStaff is from separate universitiesUniversities operate unilaterallySelf-support financing

Stage 2 – University center conceptThe organization begins to develop

Administration and staff is consolidatedPrograms are located at the centerUniversities develop shared courses, but keep campus

ownershipFaculty still completely controlled by campuses

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Stages of Development (cont.)

Stage 3 – Strategic academic organizationDevelop a specific mission reflecting the

marketplace, programs and serviceWhat does the community need from public higher ed?What programs should be delivered?Universities partner to deliver programs (not just courses) Develop student servicesHire facultyRequest a state appropriation

Stage 4 – A campus?

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Campus Attitudes Is USDSU a threat to the partner

universities? Today –

Some say we are stealing students Others say we are meeting a need and

developing new political support Tomorrow –

What will USDSU develop into?

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Keys to Success Focus on the community

Courses and programs that feed the local economy - become an economic development activity

Support local employers Contract services, non-credit courses,

custom programs Support local individuals

Programs that help people get ahead Non-credit programming

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Keys to Success (cont.) Foster cooperation and create win-

win situations Plan for the success of all the partners

Know the campus politics Move quickly in non-threatening areas Move deliberately in areas where the

campuses are concerned But, keep moving.