2025-2026 MELA Minutes

there were also conversations about proctored exams and the use of artificial intelligence in proctored examinations. 4. AspireEDU – Dr. Krista LeBrun, MCCB, mentioned that AspireEDU required a business case, and she has submitted it to ITS. She mentioned that she has to go before the board. She mentioned that she may not make their May board meeting, so it may be June before she gets before their board. She mentioned that there is still plenty of time to get that contract renewed in time before the expiration. She mentioned that AsprieEDU has already been presented. That it has already gone through the sole source notification process. She mentioned that it has to be advertised for two weeks to allow for objections. She stated that she signed off on the documentation for the notice of award on Monday, so we are good to go on that one. She is just waiting for them to officially approve her business case and to schedule her on their next meeting agenda, which could be May, but she hasn’t heard anything back from them on that. 5. Turnitin – Dr. Krista LeBrun, MCCB, mentioned that during last month’s meetings, she discussed Turnitin and some possible avenues for procurement. She did share this with the presidents. She mentioned that it does not sound like the AOA was fully informed of the potential implications for Turnitin. She mentioned that she spoke briefly with Dr. James Rush over it because the president had a lot of concerns about Turnitin. She mentioned that she had provided them with updated information, but she let them know that she had been sharing with this body the potential and what different avenues could be explored. She mentioned to them that she was concurrently working on multiple avenues to try to get a contract because she understood the need to have an academic integrity solution. Dr. LeBrun mentioned that she still hasn’t gotten the lawyer to sign off on anything yet as it relates to the Turnitin contract. She mentioned that Turnitin did come back and mentioned that they were able to approve the Grand Rapids RFP, which she thinks she had already shared with the group. She mentioned that it still has to go through the whole QA process with ITS, and the contract has to be formally negotiated. She mentioned that she does have a copy of the Grand Rapids contract, which ITS has reviewed. She mentioned that, as part of their approval to say yes, she believes we can successfully piggyback off the contract, that include their executed agreement, and that they are good with that agreement. She mentioned that the state procurement laws and procedures have to be plugged in. She mentioned that she has not been able to tell Taku and Megan Sexton at Turnitin. She has received permission to tell Megan and is waiting on the official language from Jonathan, the lawyer, so that she can