On June 3, the Portland State Faculty Senate voted to close the Center for Academic Excellence and the Center for Online Learning. With the same vote, the Senate created the new Office of Academic Innovation.
According to a press release, the OAI will provide “leadership and support for campus activities that explore and promote excellence in teaching and learning,” and “support campus initiatives that respond to changing curricular and educational delivery models, improve student success and value the importance of teaching, learning and assessment.”
Though the formation of the OAI began with the closure of two separate departments, the employees from both departments are now part of the newly created office.
“[The new department] had a lot of positive feedback and faculty has expressed a lot of enthusiasm,” said Patrice Morris Hudson, the teaching support specialist and program administrator for the OAI.
The offices of the OAI are centrally located on campus, in the Smith Memorial Student Union on the mezzanine of the second floor in room 209M.
Along with the new offices, space will be available to faculty members for group work. The OAI will also offer consultations and programs including workshops, events, faculty learning communities and a variety of other resources. Starting in early fall 2013, media labs supported by OAI staff will be offered.
There will be several small open houses throughout the summer for people interested in learning more about PSU’s new Office of Academic Innovation. They will be open to everyone and no registration is required.
Find more information about the open houses and the OAI by visiting their website at pdx.edu/oai.