Distance Learning: Policies & Procedures

I. Introduction

For the purposes of this policy, distance learning is defined as a formal educational process in which the majority of the instructional interaction occurs when student and instructor are not in the same place. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous. Distance education may include correspondence, audio, video, or computer technologies. This policy shall apply to all credit-bearing courses and programs offered through distance education by the SUNY Downstate Medical Center (“DMC").

II. Design, Development and Approval

The design and development of distance learning courses and programs shall follow priorities established by DMC for their on-campus educational offerings. Distance learning courses and programs shall be consistent with the educational mission of DMC. Distance learning courses shall be designed and evaluated in accordance with the standard academic review processes used for the development and approval of on-campus courses and programs. Programs must continue to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

Programs shall comply with any special requirements of their discipline's accrediting bodies concerning the delivery of distance learning courses and programs and shall ensure that external accreditation standards are satisfied.

Current institutional policies shall govern issues of course assignments, class size, faculty workload, compensation, release time and evaluation.

III. Intellectual Property

Copyright ownership and royalties derived from the creation and production of distance learning courses shall be determined in accordance with SUNY's Copyright Policy.

This policy provides that generally, faculty and staff retain all rights to copyright and publish written works produced by them but that in cases where persons are employed or directed within the scope of their employment to produce specific work subject to copyright, the University shall have the right to publish such work without copyright or to copyright such work in its own name. In those cases where the faculty member desires the use of DMC's facilities or resources, arrangements shall be made in advance with DMC with respect to what assistance and resources will be provided and the equity of DMC in the finished work.

Faculty members shall comply with the same requirements that apply in other contexts with respect to the use of DMC's name.

Liabilities may be incurred with respect to the inclusion of materials in distance learning courses that were not created by the person who developed the course and by inclusion of voices or images of persons in the course materials, including audience members and guest lecturers. It is the responsibility of the individual who provides the course content for distance learning courses to comply with copyright and privacy laws by obtaining all permissions and releases necessary to avoid infringing copyright or invading the privacy rights of others.

IV. Distance Learning Strategic Planning Committee

The Distance Learning Strategic Planning Committee shall consist of the following:

Nellie Bailey, Ed.D., RN, CS, Assoc. Dean of Nursing
Richard Bentley, Director of Administration Support Services
Linda Chase, Coordinator of Special Projects, Academic Affairs
George Frangos, Ph. D., Assoc. Dean of Graduate Medical Education
Mohamed Ibrahim, PT, MS, Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy Program
Joanne Katz, Ph.D., Chair of Physical Therapy Program
Brian Kell, AVP for Institutional Advancement
John Kubie, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor, Anatomy
Anna Migliore, OTR/L, Assistant Professor
Joyce Miller, Ed.D., Chair, Diagnostic Medical Imaging Program
Don Minick, Director, General Accounting
Jim Neill, Ph.D., Asst. Director, Office of Educational Computing & Technology
Susan Schwartz-Giblin, Ph.D., Dean of Graduate Studies
Laila Sedhom, Ph.D., RN, Assoc. Dean, Nursing
Chris Stewart, Asst. Librarian
Lorraine Terracina, Ph.D., VP for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Edward Throckmorton, Registrar, Graduate School

The committee shall be responsible for:

Exploring, evaluating and recommending technological options for distance learning
Exploring options for professional development in distance learning
Exploring DMC's potential participation with the SUNY Learning Network as well as partnerships and collaborations with other educational institutions
Conducting needs assessments
Developing additional policies on distance learning as DMC becomes more involved in this endeavor
Disseminating information on course development to faculty and programs exploring their options with respect to distance learning