acknowledgement page from the course syllabus or 2) log onto the online course management system, such as Blackboard, and complete the acknowledgment page from the syllabus as directed, or complete a course assignment. Note: Logging into the course by itself does not confirm attendance.

Students who have not 1) verified their attendance by either method above and 2) failed to communicate with the instructor by the reporting deadline, will be designated as non-attending and requested to be removed from the course by the university Registrar.

Faculty members are encouraged to indicate on the syllabus any other specific requirements for attendance.

The faculty member should consult with the Chair of the Division and Director of Online Programs to identify the need for a hybrid or virtual course. The faculty member should have completed any required training for teaching online at least a semester in advance, when possible, and any other requirements set forth by the Director of Online Programs. At minimum, an instructor interested in teaching online must be deemed proficient with use of the university's LMS (e.g. Blackboard) and quality standards prior to being eligible to teaching online or blended courses. Proficiency measures are set forth by the Director of Online Programs.

Once the Chair and faculty member agree that a hybrid or virtual course will be offered online for the first time, the faculty member develops the necessary materials (syllabus, assignments, grading rubrics, etc.), which are then reviewed by the Chair. The Division’s Curriculum Committee is notified of the development of the course.

If the course itself is new, and meets the Chair's approval, it is then presented to the Curriculum Committee of Faculty Senate for review and approval. If the course is approved through the Faculty Senate process, the faculty member begins shaping the course.

If the proposed hybrid or virtual course is an adaptation of an existing course and the Chair approves the materials, the faculty member assembles the course.

Before going live, the course is reviewed according to the guidelines used for implementing best practices in hybrid and virtual courses by the Director of Online Programs, in the event this position becomes available. Any necessary changes should be communicated to the faculty member and Chair prior to the beginning of the semester and these changes should be implemented as soon as possible upon receipt.

When the course is added to the semester schedule, the Registrar should be certain to mark it with the appropriate “H” or “V” designation.

Online courses are to be evaluated annually by a certified faculty-centered peer review team, set forth by the Director of Online Programs and Distance Education Committee. The evaluating consultant(s) should be from an outside university-supported body, such Quality Matters™ which provides quality assurance and helps to improve and certify the

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