4.1.16 Non-traditional Constituents

Policy

The University records historical data and grants access to campus services to its primary constituent groups, e.g. students, faculty, staff, employees, etc. Periodically historical data is required or services are provided for non-traditional constituents who do not fit the definition of the primary constituent groups. For example, a campus unit might sometimes offer a non-credit professional development program, awarding University certificates for successful program completion. Institutional records need to be maintained regarding the holders of such certificates even though they may not fit into the University’s traditional constituent groups. Likewise, the University grants access to campus services to certain groups based on institutional interest, e.g. University High School students are provided access to University computing and library services even though they also do not conform to the traditional constituent groups.

Non-traditional constituent groups fall broadly into two categories: 1) individuals attaining significant non-credit educational experiences at Illinois State, and 2) individuals granted campus services who are not part of the University’s primary constituent groups. The alternate programs records system (APRS) is the University administrative information system developed to accommodate non-traditional constituents. APRS is administered by the Extended University and provides a convenient method of maintaining institutional records and providing services for alternative programs and participants. A list of non-traditional constituent groups and their descriptions can be found at www.exu.ilstu.edu/APRSgroups.

The University Extended Learning Steering Committee (UELSC), with consultation from the divisions of Student Affairs and Finance and Planning, serves as the gatekeeper for inclusion of non-traditional constituents to APRS and thus University records and services. UELSC is advisory to the Extended University.

A request for inclusion must be made by an official University unit, department, college, division, etc. to Extended University. A constituent group could not be included based on the request of an individual staff or faculty member.

General guidelines for inclusion in the APRS:

1. Individuals attaining significant non-credit educational experiences at Illinois State that are not otherwise documented in University records. Sufficient criterion for inclusion would include:
   • Participants in non-credit professional certificate programs, where there is a significant educational experience and participants receive some credential (paper certificate) awarded by the sponsoring academic unit and/or University.
   • articipants of educational programs who are awarded through Illinois State a minimal unit of "continuing education" credit as defined by some valid accrediting body, e.g. CEU, CPDU, PDU, etc., and agreed upon by an Illinois State academic unit.
2. Individuals granted campus services who are not part of the University’s primary constituent groups. Sufficient criterion for inclusion would include:
   • Individuals included in Guideline 1 above would be eligible for services.
   • If not included in Guideline 1 then inclusion must be approved by the Provost and Vice President for Finance and Planning on case-by-case basis.

Each service for a group would be negotiated individually on a situational basis.

Potential costs for each service must be negotiated with appropriate University offices prior to inclusion.