Purpose Eight diverse institutions have partnered to create an evolving, interdisciplinary community of practice focused on the scholarship of teaching and learning. Our mission is to create communities of practice that are vital, collaborative, connective, and communicative within and across institutions. By traversing the boundaries that are perceived to exist between different levels of higher education, we seek to focus on the common mission of student learning. The COPPER initiative is consistent with the recommendations of the Association of American Colleges and Universities National Panel Report, Greater Expectations: A New Vision for Learning as a Nation Goes to College as well as with the missions of the member Colleges. Through work on common themes and joint projects, we anticipate that pooling the rich array of resources from our diverse settings will create a synergy enhancing the collective experiences of all. For further information or questions on the COPPER Cluster, please contact Prof. Donna Killian Duffy

Goals Support the engagement of faculty in the practice of teaching and learning. Aid faculty in becoming adept at demonstrating evidence of student learning. Collect and analyze evidence of learning within and across institutions. Design means by which institutions can collaborate to enhance work in SoTL. Establish a coordinating service for faculty engaged in similar or complementary research or practice.