Dear Members of the University Community,

The University’s applications to offer degree programs in Vancouver, British Columbia, were recently reviewed by the British Columbia Degree Quality Assessment Board, and the next steps have been determined.

On June 13, our applications to offer a BS in business management with a number of concentrations and a BS in information technology with one concentration were submitted to the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education. We also submitted an application to operate as a “university” in British Columbia.

On September 12, the Degree Quality Assessment Board completed its preliminary review and recommended that two external review panels be established to conduct a “modified” organization review and a review of our two degree programs.

While review panels are standard procedure for out-of-province institutions, given the strength of our applications and the positive endorsement received from the Confederation of University Faculty Associations in British Columbia, the board decided that a full organization review was not necessary in our case. In addition, while review panels are normally formed to evaluate each degree program, the board felt that one review panel was sufficient for both our programs since they appear to be “nicely integrated.”

Both panels will be conducting their reviews during the fall. The first panel will focus on organizational characteristics and particular aspects of the business plan for our Vancouver campus, including financial capabilities, facilities, human resources and information technology. Four members of the Vancouver academic and administrative steering committees will meet with this panel in Vancouver in late October.

The panel to review our two degree programs is expected to meet in early November. This panel will host a team of five FDU representatives in early November.

Following these meetings, the two panels will submit their reports and recommendations to the Degree Quality Assessment Board, which we hope will make a final decision to recommend approval of our applications to the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education at its meeting on December 12.

Upon final approval of our applications, we will review our marketing and recruitment plans and make a final determination concerning an opening date for the campus. While current plans call for the campus to open in November 2006, there may be significant benefits in altering the calendar to align with a traditional academic calendar and to open the campus in January 2007.

The University also submitted a detailed application to the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) in August, seeking approval to extend our accreditation to the proposed campus in Vancouver. This request will be considered at the MSA’s meeting on October 19.

In moving forward, the Vancouver Working Group and steering committees will continue to meet and plan accordingly. These committees are evaluating items ranging from projected class sizes and course sequences to the necessary staffing requirements and technological infrastructure for the campus. As the approval process continues to unfold, we will continue to update the University community through e-mail announcements or via InsideFDU on the Web.

Thank you,
Michael Adams