A committee of faculty and administrators from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will review the proposals and will make recommendations to the  Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Innovations and Minnesota Online. The committee will review and evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:    

Compliance with Proposal Guidelines: An abstract that briefly described the project, provided all relevant contact information, amount of request, and project cost was provided and a statement connected to Intellectual property rights was described and addressed in the proposed project (See MnSCU Policy 3.26 link provided below). Further, proposal areas were complete, well written, and documented as described in the RFP matrix table (10%).

Online learning and new technologies: Although the intent of this RFP is to add to the current inventory of Minnesota Online programs, a variety of projects and budgets in response to this RFP are welcomed, however, proposals that describe projects in terms of 100% online learning, predominantly online learning, and/or use of new and emerging technologies will be weighted according to priority ranking outlined in the RFP purpose and definitions (15%).

Impact: The proposal described how the project will add to the system’s inventory of credit and non-credit course offerings and programs through Minnesota Online. Additionally, a description of the project’s impact in terms of student access to system institutions, learning outcomes connected to programs and courses, target audience,and institution or system outcomes was provided(15%).

Evaluation and Assessment plan:  Overall project outcomes were detailed and described in relation to the RFP, are fully outlined and measurable, and described how student achievement in the online learning environment will be evaluated and assessed (15%).

Feasibility:  Budget, timeline and sustainability plan is clear and achievable. The budget and resources identified in the project are adequate. The timeline is reasonable and sustainability of the project was addressed in the RFP. Rationale for budget items is provided in narrative form as needed (15%).

Alignment with system priorities for online learning:  The proposal is connected to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Work Plan (See MnSCU Work Plan link provided below) and provided evidence of departments, programs, or institutions working together, by leveraging, matching, and/or collaboration efforts, for example working with other system institutions, or other higher education systems, K-12, government, or business and industry (15%).

Rationale for the Project:  A strong and well supported rationale for why this project should be funded is provided and the evidence provided in this section clearly demonstrates a thorough review of recent research, data, and other sources. If a proposal duplicates a course/courses or program in the system a plan for how it will be articulated or adds value to the system and the institution is provided (10%).

Dissemination plan: Information sharing and plans to disseminate lessons learned through presentations, journal articles, efolio, or other means are outlined in the RFP (5%).