Josh Colwell
Staff Writer
jocolwell@valdosta.edu

VSU is working to improve the quality of education offered through the work of a Task Force 2 program.
Task Force 1 was an organization on campus comprised of Faculty and students, who surveyed and polled members of the faculty and students around campus to find out what would improve the educational quality at VSU.  The No. 1 response received was undergraduate research opportunities.
Dr. James LaPlant, Associate of College of Arts and Science and Chair of Phase 2, has been working with members of Task Force 2 to write a new Quality Enhancement Plan.  The plan’s focus is to open more programs such as study abroad, service learning and undergraduate research opportunities.
“We are hoping to get the word out about the new QEP and gain insight through students here at VSU,” LaPlant said.
LaPlant and the staff realize that listening to students will be the best way to fully serve the student body.
The new QEP will be nearly 70 pages long and will be presented to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in the spring of next year.  SACS will evaluate the plan and grant VSU re-accreditation if they approve of the QEP.
LaPlant is expecting the SACS committee to make a visit to VSU sometime next April and would like to see the students and faculty on board and aware of the new program.
Students are encouraged to work with the Task Force 2 and make suggestions to toward further improvements.  Dr. LaPlant is a part of the Political Science Department on campus and can be reached at his email: Jlaplant@valdosta.edu or his office number 229-333-5699.