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I. Definitions

A. “Tri-College Institutions” (TCU) are Concordia College (CC) of Moorhead, Minnesota, Minnesota State University                      Moorhead (MSUM) of Moorhead, Minnesota and North Dakota State University (NDSU) of Fargo, North Dakota.
B. “Student” shall mean any person enrolled at either Concordia College, Minnesota State University Moorhead or North Dakota State University.
C. “Home Institution/Campus” shall mean the institution (CC, MSUM, or NDSU), which regards the student as properly enrolled in their institution.
D. “Tri-College Organization” is a student organization that has been recognized by all of the Tri-College University (TCU) institutions.
E. “Dual-College Organization” is a student organization that has been recognized by no more, or no less than two of the Tri-College institutions.
F. “Tri-College Commissioners” are the Vice-Presidents of Academic Affairs (VPAA) or their equivalent at each of the three campuses.
G. The “Board of Directors” is comprised of the Presidents from each of the three campuses and citizen board members as detailed in the Tri-College University By-Laws.
H. The “Provost” for Tri-College University is the chief executive who is hired by the Board to lead and carry out the functions of Tri-College.
I. The term “Institutions” shall be synonymous with campuses and schools.
J. “Partner Institution(s)” is one or both of the institutions that is not the student’s home campus. A “partner institution” is one, other than the home campus, where a student is taking a class.

II. Student Course Exchange Program

A. The purpose of the course exchange agreement is to allow a properly enrolled student at any of the Tri-College institutions to utilize the Tri-College University course exchange program as a means of supplementing the preparation and completion of a degreed program or the transfer to a partner institution.

B. The intention and guidelines of the Course Exchange Program for undergraduate
students are as follows:

1. The Course Exchange agreement allows students to register for TCU classes at their home campus, to be taken at partnering institutions, without going through separate admission procedures.
2. Students may be restricted from the course exchange based on the host campuses’ policy on criminal history.
3. No additional tuition may be charged for participation in the course exchange program. Program and/or course fees may be charged to supplement costs for specialized programs, laboratory, studio, materials, or supply fees.
4. Course exchange acts as a seamless means of deferring a transfer to another TCU partner institution. Students are required to be enrolled at the institution granting the degree at the time the degree is awarded.
5. A student is required to meet residency requirements at the degree granting institution before a degree may be earned. Individual programs or departments may set their own requirements for the length of time that a student is required to be enrolled in their program or at their degree granting institution, such as with professional programs.
6. A student may be granted a minor from a partner institution only if their home campus does not offer it.
7. Effective fall term 2011, the course exchange is limited to one course per student per semester per participating campus. Students are required to take at least one course at their home campus when participating in the Course Exchange Program (excluding summer session). Exceptions to the one-course/semester limit among campuses are as follows:
   

   A. Students who have declared a Tri-College minor (one not offered by their home campus).  The minor must be declared and on file with the home institution, and will be confirmed by the home campus at the point of registration.  The host campus will confirm that the courses being requested are required for the minor;

   B. Students who request enrollment in either the Aerospace Studies/Air Force ROTC (AS) or Military Science/Army ROTC (MS) courses at NDSU (regardless of declaring the Aerospace Studies or Military Science minors);

   C. Students who request enrollment in a course/lab pairing (lecture and corresponding lab, which are considered two separate courses);

   D. Students enrolled in the Tri-College University Educational Leadership program;

   E. Students enrolled in a Vaccinology seminar course are permitted to enroll in one additional class via the Tri-College consortium in the same term;

   F. Other requests for exceptions may be reviewed on an individual basis (i.e., second degree at partner institution), but will be granted on a very limited basis only after consultation and agreement between registrars at the impacted campuses).

8. Concordia allows exchange by their full-time students to enroll in one course per semester between the partner institutions and then only if the course is not offered at Concordia. Concordia does not participate in the course exchange during the summer semester.
9. A student from a partner institution, whose campus pre-registration is scheduled before the host campus’ registration, will be put on a first come-first served list and will be admitted to the class as space allows. Pre-registration does not guarantee admittance for course exchange.
10. If permission is required for the course the students must contact the instructor for proper authorization.
11. Students are responsible for completing and passing any prerequisites necessary prior to registering for a course at a partner institution and should refer to the course description for the required prerequisites.
12. Grades received in courses taken through the TCU course exchange are calculated in the home institution’s grade point average and will count toward graduation requirements.
13. Official grades are recorded on the transcript of the students’ home campus.
14. During a term when a student is enrolled at classes at both their home institution and at a partner institution the student is responsible for knowing and adhering to the class schedule of both institutions. This includes holidays, semester breaks, and finals week.
15. Drop/add, pass/fail or withdrawals follow the student’s home campus deadlines. Variable length courses’ deadlines may vary.
16. Grade appeals need to be filed and action will be taken at the campus where the course in question was offered. Home campuses will be notified and record the grade determined by the partner institution offering the course.
17. Student’s enrolled in course exchange at a partner institution are subject to disciplinary action for social or academic integrity violations by the receiving institution. The home campus will be notified and comply with the actions taken.
18. Campuses will provide a mechanism for a smooth registration process for courses taken through the TCU course exchange. No additional registration fee will be charged to the student.
19. Campuses will actively publicize the availability of courses at all three campuses to insure that students and academic advisors are aware of the existing options.
20. Campuses will monitor the level and pattern of registrations under the Student Course Exchange and keep Tri-College related officials informed of such figures in a timely manner.

C. Course Exchange as it applies to Faculty and Staff who wish to take classes:

 

1. Tuition waivers are permitted through the Tri-College course exchange.
2. Faculty or staff members, who are eligible to audit a course on their home campus, may audit a class through Tri-College University at one of the partner institutions and are subject to the home school audit fees. Restrictions may apply regarding which classes may be audited. Instructor permission is required.
3. MSUM and NDSU faculty or staff may enroll in a graduate level course via the Tri-College course exchange agreement. Graduate students should consult with their advisor for plan of study applicability.
4. Concordia College allows tuition waiver course exchange for faculty and staff for undergraduate level courses only.
5. The course exchange agreement is extended to Tri-College University administrative office staff. TCU administrative office staff may qualify for the tuition waiver program as employees of NDSU.

D. It is the intent of this agreement that there be an approximately equal number of students and/or credits to be exchanged between each pair of institutions covered herein.

1.  If the difference in the number of credits exchanged between two institutions exceeds a total of 900 credits for the annual reporting period, then it is considered a gross inequity and will trigger the following:
   
   a)  Annual course exchange data will be comprised of end of term figures and shall account for withdrawals.
   b) The annual reporting period will begin with the Summer term and end with the Spring term of the following year.
   c) The Commissioners of the institutions involved in the inequities will determine how much, if any money should be paid out to compensate the receiving institution with the gross inequity.
   d) The amount of payment may not exceed the average cost per credit of the two institutions in question.
   e) The Commissioners shall consider in their deliberations, if this is an isolated event or if it is part of an ongoing pattern.
   f) Payments may not be made for gross inequities that are more than two years old.

E. Offerings not eligible under the exchange program may include:

1. Courses offered through NDSU’s Distance and Continuing Education or Summer self support courses with the exception of Tri-College Education Leadership.
2. Off-campus, weekend, or courses offered through MSUM’s Continuing Studies program.
3. International Travel Programs, independent studies and private music instruction at Concordia.
4. Other programs or offerings as determined in writing by agreement of the VPAA of the campus in which the course or program is offered.
5. Graduate courses are not eligible under the exchange program, for students who are not faculty or staff.

III. General Duties

A. Tri-College University (TCU) administrative offices and campus consortium members will provide academic leadership in the development of possible new cooperative programs/activities that benefit students, faculty, staff and the community.

B. TCU administrative offices and campus consortium members will analyze programs/activities to insure that they are relevant and make the best use of time for those involved. TCU and its partners may terminate programs/activities as they see fit.

C. Consortium members will use TCU to help conserve campus resources where appropriate.

D. TCU may be used as a vehicle to acquire outside funding for cooperative academic or pre-school through higher education based community enhancement programs. TCU may assist organizations or programs by acting as a custodial agent for their funds.

E. Campuses will publicize the various TCU programs and services available to them.

F. Each institution is encouraged to promote the value that TCU provides to their campus and the community.

G. TCU and campus partners should strive to interact with a high level of communication and collaboration on the promotion of shared efforts or areas of interest.

H. Programs may be assessed in accordance with guidelines established by the TCU Commissioners.

I. Campuses will assist TCU in completing reports, studies, surveys, etc. by providing appropriate data and documentation for TCU activities (direct or related).

IV. Pre-Professional Programs and Second Degree at a Partner Institution

A. This agreement shall also apply to students who are enrolled in a pre-professional program and have indicated their intent to graduate with a degree offered by another school and not by their home campus. This includes students seeking recognition for a second degree.

B. Students enrolled in a pre-professional program or students working toward a second degree at a partner institution shall have an advisor at each school. Approval of the major advisor at the partner institution is required for any substitutions in course requirements for the pre-professional program.

C. Students seeking a second degree from a partner institution must also meet the requirements and receive their first degree from their home institution.

D. In the event a partner institution deems it necessary to limit Tri-College student participation, full consultation with the home campus shall be required before any amendment of this agreement is made with respect to that pre-professional program.

V. Campus Events

A. Students are invited to attend campus events at any of the three partnering campuses. The host campus will set rates for all activities.

B. Campuses are encouraged to inform and make activities open to students, faculty and staff from partner institutions.

VI. Official TCU Campus organizations

A. CC, MSUM and NDSU individually and collectively will encourage students to voluntarily form and participate in organizations for the promotion of common interests.

B. Organizations wishing to include membership from more than one Tri-College institution must complete the Dual-College/Tri-College University Student Organization Registration Form and follow the registration guidelines established on each campus before they are officially designated and recognized as a Tri-College University or Dual College organization.

C. Guidelines for TCU campus organizations:

1. After a student organization has registered and is properly recognized as a Dual-College or Tri-College organization, the organization may advertise, recruit students, and share campus resources for the benefit of the organization’s mission.
2. Membership in Tri-College organizations is open to full or part-time currently enrolled MSUM and NDSU students, full-time CC students, and faculty/staff of CC, MSUM and NDSU. Membership in Dual-College and Tri-College organizations must comply with membership guidelines at the respective institutions.
3. There must be at least one officer or contact person from each member campus. Officers must meet eligibility requirements of their respective institutions.
4. One faculty or staff member from each member institution must be selected by the organization to serve as an advisor.
5. If recognition is obtained at all three institutions, “Tri-College” may be included in the organization’s proposed name. If recognition is obtained at two institutions, the names of the two institutions or “Dual-College” may be included in the proposed name.
6. No campus will allow an official campus organization to use Tri-College or Tri- College University in their name unless they have met the criterion set forth in this agreement.
7. If an organization uses the Tri-College or Tri-College University name without meeting the proper qualifications, they may be restricted from receiving funds including funds from student government or campus wide student fees.
8. The organization’s mission must be consistent with each participating institution’s educational mission.
9. Upon recognition, all Tri-College/Dual-College organizations assume responsibility for being familiar with and adhering to all organization regulations and policies of member campuses. Copies of responsibilities and policies related to student organizations and codes of conduct must be readily available at each campus.
10. Officers and members will be held responsible for individual and group actions. Alleged policy or code violations will be subject to behavior conflict action according to each institution’s established procedures.
11. Social Fraternities and Sororities are chartered with a single institution and therefore are ineligible for Tri-College or Dual-College recognition.
12. Tri-College or Dual-College organizations are responsible for adhering to funding policies at each member campus.
13. New organizations must initiate the recognition process at each institution. Groups seeking continued Tri-College/Dual-College recognition must complete the required registration form on an annual basis. Organization records and a current copy of the organization’s by-laws must be maintained at each institution.
14. For approval, the organization’s by-laws must be consistent with guidelines at each campus where recognition is sought, and be formally approved at each participating institution. By-laws must be updated and resubmitted every three years.
15. The Provost of TCU in consultation with the Commissioners may suspend the active status of a TCU organization by written notice.

VII. Tri-College University Library and Film Library Cooperation.

A. The Libraries at CC, MSUM and NDSU will make their holdings of available library materials at each campus accessible via their online library catalogs.

B. Faculty, staff, or students from any of the three partnering institutions have privileges at all three campus libraries.

C. Faculty, staff and students may request materials from a participating library, to be delivered to the home campus library of the person making the request, at no charge to the individual.

D. Through December 2009, faculty from each of the partner institutions are the only ones allowed to check out materials from the TCU Film Library. After this time, materials will be divided between the three libraries and the TCU Film Library is dissolved.

VIII. Transportation and Parking Cooperation.

A. Institutions will work with bus or shuttle services to provide for free transportation among campuses. The service provider will determine routes, schedule and times of operation.

B. Bus or shuttle service route information will be provided at each of the campuses and will be posted on the TCU web site or by similar means.

C. Each campus will provide designated parking facilities to students, faculty, and staff with a valid parking pass from their home institution and are subject to availability. Parking will be designated and published at the start of the academic year and is subject to change.

IX. Tri-College University Educational Leadership program – limited to MSUM and NDSU.

A. This program will have faculty from both campuses to develop and maintain a schedule of courses and set requirements that will be recognized by both university catalogues showing coordination of common curriculum and scheduled instructional delivery options.

B. Governance and financial issues – Educational Leadership

1. The revenues distribution and university share will be set by TCU Commissioner policy for the TCU Educational Leadership program’s operational expenses. The Provost and Commissioners shall maintain space allocations sufficient to operate this program at the TCU offices and/or campuses.
2. Faculties from both institutions utilize the resources from both universities to jointly operate the best possible academic situation for students. This means that schedules are jointly organized for academic reasons for the benefit of students in regard to timeline and appropriate load balance to keep conflicts at a minimum. Deans and chairs at both institutions shall recognize these activities as part of their departmental cooperative endeavors.
3. The TCU Provost shall call a program committee meeting when requested by the coordinators. The purpose of the program committee is to act upon proposed changes in major curriculum and instruction issues. This meeting shall be held with the college and graduate deans of each institution, chairs of each institution’s unit academic affairs committee, and coordinators.

C. Faculty Issues – Educational Leadership

1. Faculty members are those who teach TCU Educational Leadership courses for students enrolled at either of the institutions. The graduate office or school at MSUM and NDSU shall recognize the TCU Educational Leadership Faculty as full members in a permanent adjunct status as faculty at each other’s institution.
2. The tenure-track responsibilities and policies remain in the jurisdiction of the respective university/college in accord with their respective rules and regulations.
3. The TCU Educational Leadership program faculty will pool their teaching, research and service to maintain a common curriculum for both NCATE and ELCC (or their equivalent successors) accreditation standards within the framework of their respective university’s college units.
4. The faculty will focus on maintaining this joint agreement between respective college units at MSUM and NDSU for the benefit of the graduate students’ professional careers. Admission regulations, advisement, and program of study procedures will follow the procedures described in the university’s graduate policy where the student is admitted. The oral and written examinations may be jointly administered at each university using the same procedure, format and timeline.
5. Faculty load will be determined according to each university’s policy.
6. The TCU Educational Leadership faculty will administer the program with cocoordinators from each campus. These co-coordinators will jointly prepare the agenda for meetings to be held at least once per semester. The host coordinator will chair faculty meetings that will alternate the meeting location between MSUM and NDSU.
7. The co-coordinators shall meet monthly as a committee to coordinate activities necessary to administer the program. They will convene additional faculty meetings as deemed necessary to be held each semester.
8. Each institution, NDSU and MSUM, shall provide compensation to the person selected as its coordinator. The compensation may exceed, but shall not be less than release for teaching responsibilities for a three credit graduate level course per academic school year or financial remuneration of equal value. This clause shall not diminish the institutions responsibility to provide adequate FTE staffing.
9. Outreach programs, including courses initiated by faculty for the purpose of providing school administration credential, license and/or degree in either Minnesota or North Dakota, are to be reviewed by the co-coordinators. Faculty approval is needed if the endeavor impacts the program and impacts enrollment at both campuses.
10. Daily office support is to be provided by the administrative assistant who works full-time for the program and is responsible to the program co-coordinators for all program activities outlined in the job description. This position is supervised under the TCU office management regarding employee rules and regulations. The position will assist as needed with TCU office functions.
11. The program co-coordinators develop and monitor the details of the approved program budget with faculty consultation. The TCU accountant will develop and maintain the revenue and expenditures reports. The program co-coordinators will approve the expenditures that are reported monthly to the faculty.
12. A commitment will be made by each institution to normally provide a minimum of 36 credits per academic year for program delivery. Two professors from each institution will constitute the core faculty for student advisement, disquisition tutoring, and program maintenance. They, along with adjunct professors, will teach courses during the fall, spring and summer terms in order to deliver a master’s degree and a specialist degree. Accreditation requirement will be considered part of faculty load and part of the university’s commitment to program delivery.
13. Each campus is responsible for the hiring of new faculty for the Educational Leadership Program. This process will be conducted in consultation with TCU Education Leadership faculty and co-coordinators.

D. Student Issues - Educational Leadership

1. A student or graduate candidate, wishing to obtain a degree and/or licensure/credential option, selects a university for admission using the graduate school’s process and requirements. A co-coordinator from the respective institution will review and determine the admittance level of an applicant according to program requirements. Co-coordinators will bring questionable applicants to the TCU faculty for recommendations of denial or admittance to the program. Once admitted, the TCU Education Leadership program administrative assistant maintains record of all candidate processes necessary for the operation of this joint program. Every effort should be made to have students from each university treated the same in all aspects of the TCU operation.
2. Student grade appeals for the Educational Leadership program will be conducted at the campus and within the rules of where the appealed class was taken.
3. The TCU office will hold and maintain copies of student files of all candidates for graduation reference and credential verification purposes. The course schedule for each semester/term will be listed in MSUM and NDSU catalogues by the respective registrars, graduate schools, and directors of other campus-wide information services.
4. Graduate students pursuing their master’s degree and/or specialist degree shall have their course credits recognized at both institutions. Students who obtain these graduate degrees or coursework in the program at MSUM will be recognized in NDSU Education Doctorate programs in the same manner as their peers who took the same courses at NDSU.

E. The faculty shall determine faculty-level regulations and guidelines pertaining to the normal year-to-year operation of the TCU Educational Leadership program that are not covered in this agreement.

F. The co-coordinators and the Provost will review the TCU Education Leadership portion of this document annually for the purposes of consistency and revision. The results of this review will be presented to the TCU Commissioners for any required action.

G. This agreement will automatically renew annually and shall be in force unless an institution, MSUM or NDSU, notify the other and the TCU office of its intent to modify or cancel the agreement. Notice to modify or cancel this agreement for the next school year must be made no later than November 15th of the current school year. Cancellation of the Education Leadership program requires a three-year phase out with
no reductions in staffing during that phase out period.

X. An Engineering and Architecture class exchange between MSUM and NDSU is not covered by this Agreement and is hereby explicitly excluded.

 

XI. Protections

A. In any amendment, the rights of students already enrolled in a program shall be protected, and they shall be allowed to finish their degree program under participation plan originally approved for them.

B. Should it be necessary to limit the number of new Tri-College students enrolled in a class or program; a good faith effort between the schools shall be made to agree upon a quota of students that may register for the course.

XII. Restrictions

A. Use of the term/title “Tri-College University,” must be approved in writing by the TCU
Provost or the Provost’s designee(s).

XIII. Assessments

A. The TCU office upon the recommendation by the Commissioners will prepare assessments. Commissioners will forward their recommendation to the Board of Directors for their approval.

B. In that all campuses do not participate to the same extent in all activities, assessments may be based on a partner share, actual enrollment/usage, or combinations thereof.

XIV. Tri-College University is an equal opportunity institution.

A. Tri-College is committed to providing equal opportunities to any group or class which discrimination is prohibited by prevailing state or federal law.

This Tri-College University collaborative agreement takes precedence over all previous agreements written or other and is effective for Fall 2009 registration.

 

__________________________ Date _________________, 2011
Dr. Edna Szymanski
President
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, Minnesota

 

_________________________ Date _________________, 2011
Dr. Dean Bresciani
President
North Dakota State University
Fargo, North Dakota

 

__________________________ Date _________________, 2011
Dr. Paul Dovre
Interim President
Concordia College
Moorhead, MN

 

____________________________ Date __________________, 2011
Tim Flakoll
Provost
Tri-College University