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The Midwestern Higher Education Compact strives to maintain communication with all of its member states. This newsletter provides higher education institutions and agencies timely information about MHEC programs and policy research and analysis. |
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| August 18, 2009
New computer hardware contracts in place
MHEC is pleased to announce a new and revised computer hardware contract with Dell which has renewed its
 relationship with MHEC under new and better terms.Also, MHEC has awarded a new contract through Systemax offered by GlobalGovED or CompUSA (depending on the member state location).
Both contracts offer aggressive pricing and a full range of products and services to public not-for-profit higher education
 institutions as well as K-12 schools and districts, city and state local governments, and education-related non-profit organizations. MHEC also has the ability to offer these savings to institutions in the West through an agreement with its sister compact, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).
 MHEC issued an RFP for computer hardware and services in February. While the awarding of contracts is not yet finalized, MHEC is announcing these two vendor selections at this time. MHEC expects to award additional contracts in the coming weeks. Check www.mhectech.org for current information for these and other new contracts.  MHEC Signs Agreement with Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange
The Midwestern Higher Education Compact and the Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange at the University of Oklahoma have entered into a new agreement to provide a special membership package to institutions within the MHEC states that join and participate in the Consortium.
Improving student retention and using data to support strategic decisions are two of the top five critical campus issues, according to a survey of higher education executives conducted by Eduventures. Given the increased focus placed on measures of student success by accreditation commissions, the U.S. Department of Education, and external stakeholders, these issues remain a top concern for MHEC constituents as well.
Institutions within the Midwestern Higher Education Compact region will be able to take advantage of a special MHEC-CSRDE membership package which is not available to other institutions. Benefits include increased access to reports and additional continuing education opportunities. The new membership fee of $100 will be waived for MHEC institutions that join by November 20, 2009.
For more details including the data sharing requirements for participation and sample survey materials please contact the University of Oklahoma CSRDE office at 405-325-2158 or csrde@ou.edu and speak with Sandra Whalen, project manager. Please inform the CSRDE office of the institution's eligibility for the MHEC-CSRDE membership package. For more details, please visit the CSRDE website at http://csrde.ou.edu/web/index.html. For information about other MHEC cost saving programs visit www.mhec.org.
Examples of successful initiatives to promote college access and success sought for MHEC policy summit
MHEC’s 5th Annual Policy Summit on November 9 will focus on strategies to help all citizens achieve the education and training required to enable their full participation in the workforce. The data are clear that as a country we must ensure that no part of our citizenry is left behind in our efforts to achieve postsecondary completion rates that rival top performing nations of the world.
The summit will approach this challenge through an examination of proven strategies and promising practices to improve college access and completion rates of segments of our population who are under-represented both on campus and among bachelor’s degree earners. This includes low-income citizens, ethnic minorities, rural and isolated populations, people with disabilities, children of recent immigrants, Native Americans and First Nations peoples, first generation college goers, citizens with limited English language proficiency and returning adults.
We are seeking examples of campus- and system-based programs and initiatives that have been successful in improving college access, retention, and graduation for individuals from one or more of the aforementioned groups. Presenters will be reimbursed for their travel expenses and receive complementary accommodations in the conference hotel. There is no fee to attend the summit. The policy summit will be held Monday, November 9 in Fargo, North Dakota.
To submit a proposal for the policy summit please complete a short interest form online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=YC3tnW8mjOQ_2bId6d8rsJIw_3d_3d. Proposals will be accepted through Monday, September 14. If you have any questions please contact Chris Rasmussen, MHEC’s vice president for research and policy analysis, at 612-625-2431 or chrisr@mhec.org.
 Wisconsin and Michigan sign-on with e-Transcript Initiative
MHEC is pleased to announce that both Wisconsin and Michigan have launched statewide electronic transcript efforts through the MHEC e-transcript initiative, becoming the fourth and fifth MHEC states to use the e-transcript service. Below are recent news releases announcing their participation.
The Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) Launches e-Transcript Initiative with Docufide: August 12, 2009
College application process gets easier with Wisconsin e-Transcript Initiative: August 5, 2009 MHEC in the News
Wisconsin State Journal, August 11, 2009
MHEC Commissioner News Congratulations to newly appointed commissioners: Rep. Marc Rhodes (KS); Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts (WI)
Congratulations to newly appointed commissioner alternates: Mr. David Metzen (MN)
And reappointed commissioners: Sen. J. Bradley Burzynski (IL) Rep. Roger Wendt (IA); Sen. Marci Francisco (KS); Rep. Pam Byrnes (MI); Dr. Robert Jones (MN); Sen. Charlie Shields (MO)
And reappointed commissioner alternates: Sen. Edward Maloney (IL), Rep. Jodi Tymeson (IA); Sen. Jean Schodorf (KS); Rep. Barbara Ballard (KS)
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To sign up for MHEC e-News or update your contact information in our database, please click HERE. Midwestern Higher Education Compact | 105 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 450 | Minneapolis, MN | 55401 Tel: (612) 677-2777 or Toll Free: 1-855-767-MHEC (6432) | Fax: (612) 767-3353 | www.mhec.org |
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