MERC

MERC Board of Director’s Meeting

May 10, 2006, 9:30 a.m - Noon

MERC Goals -- Draft

With a current membership base of 66 public and private institutions, MERC is a unified statewide higher education IT group with a common agenda of improving academic excellence.  MERC represents a collective voice that assists its membership in measuring and predicting change in trends and also encourages and promotes collaborations and partnerships among members. MERC provides a unified voice on technology issues to policy makers, is an advocate of IT at the state level, and represents higher education on issues of MOREnet's operational budget and decisions.

I. Collaboration

Foster collaboration in order to improve the quality of education in Missouri.

• Identify areas where collaborative efforts are possible to enhance cost-effective, quality education in Missouri.
• Promote collaborative efforts to build MOREnet infrastructure through communication among MOREnet participants, i.e., DHE, DESE, state of Missouri.
• Promote and lead collaborative efforts among MERC institutions.

II. Policy/Leadership

Serve as a resource for policy development to DHE regarding network technology applications in higher education.

• Provide a unified voice of the MERC membership on technology issues to state policy makers.
• Identify and provide statewide directions for technology in education through polling of higher education needs.
• Promote the use of technology throughout the state through strategic leadership activities within other conferences, groups, and events.

III. Higher Education Best Practices

Promote knowledge of tools and best practices to the MERC membership. Promote services and professional development with technology to facilitate improved learning.

Promote multiple modes of learning enhanced through technology within and beyond the traditional classroom to better engage students.

• Hold annual HELIX conference with emphasis on faculty involvement.
• Investigate regular faculty input into MERC activities.
• Keep abreast of nationwide technology trends and events and communicate to members.                                                                                                                            

IV. Services

Encourage and promote shared network-based services and accompanying tools that provide value to education.

• Promote a high quality, high capacity network with operational support by funding the MOREnet organization at appropriate levels.
• Investigate and promote distance education related services.
• Promote professional development and support for faculty and staff through statewide and regional workshops.
• Promote statewide contracts and volume purchasing agreements for members.
• Task MOREnet to develop service offerings for the mutual benefit of the MERC membership.