Continuing Excellence Update February 2006

AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT

INITIATIVES

ACTIONS

PROGRESS

• Outstanding and innovative teaching of full-time and adjunct teachers. (Academic Affairs)
• Outstanding pedagogical and/or professional research. (Academic Affairs)
• The integration of technology as a means of augmenting and enhancing teaching and learning. (Information Technology, Academic Affairs)

E1

• The Ruth & Ted Braun Fellowship Program has been established to support this goal.

• Through the Open Source Portfolio Initiative (OSPI), electronic portfolio technology is being adopted. A full-time programmer/analyst has been hired for one year to download OSPI software, to program it for institutional use, and to train faculty in its application. The first project utilizing OSPI is NCATE accreditation, with future possible use envisioned for General Education Assessment, the First Year Experience project, and other projects requiring a portfolio approach and embedded assignments within assessment processes. In addition, the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Roundtable Committee (TLTR) has established a website to promote the integration of technology into the teaching and learning process. (See Technology 1B1 and 2C1.)

A2.

• CBM has established an advisory board which absorbed the existing family business program executive committee while including new members from manufacturing, health care, service, banking, economic development, and law. An initial meeting took place in January 2006, and two subsequent meetings have been planned for spring 2006. In addition to information exchange, a main goal for 2005-06 is revision of the College’s strategic plan.

• COE’s external advisory committee dates to 1990 when it was established to inform and advise for purposes of accreditation. It has since been reconstituted to serve a broader role and advises on assessment. The committee is composed of area K-12, ISD, and Charter School representatives and meets fall and winter semesters.

• Nursing’s advisory committee is comprised of 25 agency representatives who meet twice yearly; Occupational Therapy also has an advisory committee, but one comprised of practitioners who also serve as fieldwork supervisors for students. These two committees provide assistance in strategic planning.

• SET has established a Corporate Education Dean’s Advisory Council comprised of 16 members who represent regional manufacturing, engineering, and technology-based industries. The Council meets each fall semester.

• Nursing–2005
• Engineering–2005
• Athletic Training–2008
• Occupational Therapy–2006
• Education (NCATE)–2009
• Business (Interim Report -2006)–2013
• Social Work–2014

B1. Assessment reports for individual courses have been required for four years; course renewals based on those reports are now being considered as the first five-year term is completed. A plan to assess overall program goals has been developed and will be instituted in winter 2006.

B2. A diversity component is included in each General Education category. Courses under consideration for renewal will be assessed in part relative to this component. Assessment for diversity will also be part of the overall program assessment plan to determine whether the integrated category approach is effective in meeting diversity goals. (See Academic Improvement 1F2.)

C3. Proposals for new bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences are under consideration. A master’s degree in Occupational Therapy is currently being implemented. A Professional Master’s Degree in Science & Engineering was also proposed and was ratified at the December 2005 Faculty Association meeting and supported by the state-wide President’s Council in January 2006.

A summer 2004 review of print journal subscriptions resulted in savings of $20,000 through cancellation. A survey to assess the on-line collection was sent to all faculty in spring 2005, with results published in a newsletter and on the website. Appropriate methods for surveying students are being considered, as is a subscription to a collection analysis service.

AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT

INITIATIVES

ACTIONS

PROGRESS

A1. The Student Research & Creativity Institute Committee was established in spring 2005 to develop eligibility requirements, application guidelines, time-lines, and publicity materials. The Institute was promoted through brochures, web-postings, and articles in on-campus publications.

A2. The SRCI was funded at $50,000 for the inaugural year.

A4. Public Affairs issued a press release and held a news conference in February 2006. (See Academic Improvement 1D1 and Community Relations 4A6.)

A1. Fund was established as a budget item in FY 2005-06 budget.

AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT

INITIATIVES

ACTIONS

PROGRESS

A1. Total enrollment for fall semester 2005 was 9,569, an increase of 121 students (+1.28%) over the fall semester 2004 enrollment of 9,448. Despite enrollment increases in the total undergraduate and non-degree groups (+203 students, +2.88%; +14 students, +6.93% respectively), declines occurred in the non-Education graduate cohort and in the teacher certification cohort (-21 students, -1.27%; -75 students, -13.74% respectively). Total enrollment for winter semester 2006 was 9,106, a decrease of 55 students (-0.6%) from the winter semester 2005 enrollment of 9,161. Despite enrollment increases in the total undergraduate and non-degree groups (+60 students, +0.89%; +51 students, +30.72% respectively), declines occurred in the non-Education and Education graduate cohorts and in the teacher certification cohort (-128 students, -7.34%; -38 students, -7.06%, respectively).

Such trends indicate the need to reconsider enrollment targets, especially for graduate programs, teacher certification cohorts, and international students. An enrollment planning task force has been convened to review earlier projections and targets and to issue an addendum to the 2002 planning document, "Right-Sizing the University." (See Academic Improvement 3C4 and Enrollment Management 1A3.)

A2. Total Education graduate enrollment increased by 12 students, from 1,382 for fall semester 2004 to 1,394 for fall semester 2005 (+0.87%). Total Education graduate enrollment decreased by 115 students, from 1,491 students for winter semester 2005 to 1,376 students for winter semester 2006 (-7.71%).

A3. Graduate enrollment in FY 2005-06 did not reach goals. A study will be undertaken in winter 2006 to determine whether graduate program enrollment goals should be re-set. (See Academic Improvement 3C3 and Enrollment Management 1A1.)

^†First intake is in winter 2006.

A4. The University continues to benchmark its tuition and fees with other selected Michigan public universities and remains the lowest of the 15 public state universities.

B1. In fall semester 2005, the on-campus residential student population rose to 1,869, an increase of 170 students over the fall semester 2004 population of 1,699. Residential facilities reached a 98.5% occupancy rate. Fall 2006 capacity has been increased to 1,995, with projected occupancy of 1,949, or 97.6% of capacity.

A1. For fall semester 2005, 41% of the first-time-in-college class had HSGPA’s of 3.5 or higher, as compared to 39.79% for the previous year’s class.

A2. The ACT composite score for entering freshmen for fall semester 2005 was 21.09, as compared to 21.15 for the previous year’s class. This .06 differential is due to a net change between score ranges (i.e., more scores in the 21-24 range and fewer in the 25-29 range). The national average for comparable institutions for fall semester 2005 was 21.3.

A4. A total of 13 new endowed scholarships were established in 2004 and 2005, and four new annual scholarships were added during that same time period. General fund scholarship support increased by 22.5% in FY 2005-06. Most of this increase was in merit-based awards.

B1. From 2000 to 2004, 12.97% of high school graduates from Bay, Midland, Saginaw, and Tuscola counties were African American, Hispanic, and Native American students. During this same four-year period, 12.91% of SVSU’s undergraduate enrollment from these counties was comprised of a comparable minority student grouping. The headcount enrollment of minority students for fall semester 2005 increased over the previous year by 118 students (+13.47%) from 876 students to 994 students.

C1. The number of international students declined from 311 for fall semester 2004 to 290 for fall semester 2005 (or 3.03% of total enrollment). While the number of new students remained the same for fall 2004 and fall 2005, the loss of international students was due primarily to low retention rates. However, the number of new international students increased from 48 in winter semester 2005 to 87 in winter semester 2006, raising the overall number of international students from 298 in winter 2005 to 306 in winter 2006 (or 3.36% of total enrollment). This increase is attributable to a cohort of Saudi students who have entered the English Language Program and intend to earn bachelors degrees. Strategies for improved recruitment of international students will be considered in winter 2006 by the enrollment planning task force. (See Enrollment Management 1A1.)

A1. Completion rates continue to improve for freshman students, from 35.3% in fall 2004 to 36.2% for fall 2005 (+0.9%). Completion rates for transfer students also continue to increase, from 40.4% in fall 2004 to 44.2% for fall 2005 (+3.8%). The aggregate annual completion rate for these cohorts increased by 4.7% over the previous year (+.9% for freshmen and +3.8% for transfer students.)

A2. Research has led to the conclusion that SVSU should adopt the Federal Government six-year standard for graduation and retention rates. Increasingly, this standard is being used for data submission by states, including the State of Michigan, and has become the standard by which colleges and universities are compared in terms of graduation and retention rates.

A3. A student satisfaction survey, which in part evaluates student services, has been conducted. However, a separate evaluation instrument specific to student services will be administered winter semester 2006, with summary data compiled by late spring. Outcomes will be determined by mid-summer and will be included in the December 2006 four-year-plan progress report. (See Campus Culture 1E1.)

AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT

INITIATIVES

ACTIONS

PROGRESS

A2. ITS continues to consult with University clients on unused or underutilized features of the Colleague system.

A4. Through current technology, 100% of the service area is accessible.

AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT

INITIATIVES

ACTIONS

PROGRESS

A1. Due to expanded opportunities, the number of student volunteers in AY 2004-05 increased by 118.6% over the previous year (from 973 to 2,127).

A3. The Living Leadership program is in its second year and facilitates community service projects for 60 residential students. In addition, 35 students have been enrolled in the MCC Americorp Scholarship program, which requires 300 hours of volunteer service per student. The Student Life Center is initiating its own leadership program, which will engage approximately 50 students in volunteer service.

A5. An "SVSU Outstanding Performance Award" is being established and will be supported by an endowment. The purpose of this award for administrative professionals and staff is to recognize accomplishments and further career growth in alignment with University goals and priorities. Manager training in goal setting for employees has been piloted, with fuller implementation scheduled for spring 2006. A Leadership Development Program has also been established and will be offered in fall 2006 to selected staff. In addition,

a Professional Improvement Committee has been established to target staff development interests.

A5. As part of its summer 2005 planning retreat, the athletic staff considered and engaged in a preliminary revision of the current mission statement and articulated several strategic departmental goals. It is anticipated that further revision of the mission statement and completion of a three-year plan will be achieved by spring 2006.

B1. These reports continue to be published annually and are either posted on the University website or directed to the appropriate unit or committee for subsequent action. Findings and results are periodically presented at Board of Control committee meetings. In addition, a National College Health assessment was conducted in winter semester 2004.

C1. An Employee Wellness Committee has been formed and has undertaken an assessment of different wellness models, has met with wellness experts and other wellness committees, and is collaborating with the Ryder Center on a wellness fair and other healthy lifestyle programs. A budget of $25,000 has been established to support the wellness program. Various University initiatives are already underway, such as a Weight Watchers program, Dining Services healthy food choices, and workshops on mental health, coping with stress, balancing work and life, etc.

C2. During AY 2004-05, the number of students attending alcohol and substance abuse prevention programs increased 31.4% over the previous year, from 201 to 293 student participants.

D1. Two new international programs were initiated in fall semester 2005: An Indian dance and music program was presented in October and a "Passport to the World" program was conducted in November as part of International Education Week. Existing programs such as the Dow Lecture Series, the Knowing Our World Symposium, and the KCP Visiting Professors Program include international and multi-cultural aspects and have been well attended.

D3. The Saginaw County Youth Leadership Initiative was established in summer 2005 to promote and encourage leadership within local schools and interaction with SVSU and the community. 17 local high schools participated, sending 50 students to interact with 35 SVSU mentors. A service project is currently being planned for 2006.

D4. The Roosevelt Ruffin Diversity Award was established in fall 2004, with the first annual award presented to the Student Association at the 2005 All University Awards Banquet.

F1. Several alumni events have been scheduled to increase involvement. These events include Law Awareness Day, Disability Day, and a mentoring program. The Alumni Board has been included in Board of Fellows meetings and attendance at the Alumni Celebration/Awards Banquet increased from 125 in 2004 to 268 in 2005 (+114.4%). Local donor events have also included alumni.

F2. A series of commuter student focus groups was conducted fall semester 2005. The inaugural meeting of the newly established Commuter Board was held in November 2005.

A1. The Ryder Center (Cardinal Gym) renovation was completed in summer 2005, with the Ryder Center Natatorium scheduled for completion by winter 2006. The Doan Dining Center renovation and the new Einstein Eatery facility were completed by the start of fall semester 2005.

A2. The Wickes Stadium Seating Capacity expansion project was completed on time and prior to the start the 2005 football season. Pioneer Hall expansion and renovation project design is underway, with the start of construction anticipated for May 2006.

A3. Design work has been completed on the landscape master plan. Selected projects will begin in spring 2006.

Campus use/recycling initiatives will need to be further evaluated.

AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT

INITIATIVES

ACTIONS

PROGRESS

A1. Involved units have been meeting in order to develop a comprehensive list of cultural and intellectual programs. The comprehensive list will be completed by May 1, 2006, allowing for benchmarking and recommendations regarding existing and future programs and events.

A3. A new editorial board is currently assessing Cardinalis and will incorporate changes in 2006 issues.

A4. The on-line "Mid-Michigan Events Calendar" was initiated fall semester 2004 and is accessible from the University’s homepage. The calendar is designed to provide a comprehensive listing of regional arts and cultural activities. There are currently 13 organizations which post their events on the site. An additional seven organizations have expressed an interest in participating . Other collaborative projects in 2005 included "A Taste of Opera," sponsored by Smith Bovil, and the "Ebony & Ivory" master class, sponsored by SC Johnson. In addition, a Dow Artist-in-Residence lecture was scheduled in the afternoon to accommodate school groups, support was increased for the Roethke poetry prize, and the College of Education established a regional literacy center, which enrolled 30 students from the Carrollton school district.

A5. As of June 30, 2005, the Institute for Learning in Retirement (now known as the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) had 607 members. This was a 12% increase in membership from June 30, 2004 when the ILR had 543 members.

A6. The Fall Focus on Popular Culture and the Popular Arts held seven major events in a six-week period, with high attendance at all events. The Division of Student Services & Enrollment Management reports that 93% of its AP staff has attended a campus program or event during fall semester 2005. Several actions have been taken for 2nd/3rd shift employees: dissemination of programs, flexible scheduling for event attendance, inclusion on Division committees, benefit meetings during shift hours, and monthly meetings with Staff Relations.

A1. Staff Relations and Student Life have collaborated with United Way to identify joint faculty, staff, and student civic engagement opportunities. Projects in conjunction with local Chamber of Commerce Leadership programs are under consideration.

The Government Relations Office has created opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to interact with Federal, State, and local business and government leaders. An example would be the September 2005 Michigan Chamber of Commerce "Future Forum" in which three SVSU Student Association officers participated. The Saginaw County Youth Leadership Initiative was established in summer 2005 and a community service project is being planned for 2006.

A2. Recognition programs for faculty and staff volunteer activities are currently under review. A new community service survey for 2006 is being developed. The Roosevelt Ruffin Diversity Award was established in fall 2004, with the first annual award being presented to the Student Association at the 2005 All University Awards Banquet. A Youth Leadership Celebration is being planned for spring 2006 to recognize community service.

A2. No charter schools have been added because the cap for University Authorized charters has been reached. However, enrollment in SVSU charter schools continues to increase. Enrollment increased in the September 2005 headcount by 1,131 students, or 17%.

A1. Components of an integrated marketing plan include a communications audit, graphic standards, branding, advertising, media relations, and web marketing.

• Audit: Completed communications audit to review publications, collateral, and advertising to ensure that such messages are timely, targeted to primary audiences, representative of a balanced media mix, and are placed in key geographic areas.

• Graphic Standards: Efforts to standardize graphics are on-going. New letterhead, business cards, and logos are being phased in; in fall 2005, complete graphic standards were made available on the U-Comm website.

• Branding: These efforts are also on-going. Characteristics of the brand, key phrases/messages, and photography guidelines have been established and are being used regularly and consistently.

Components of an integrated marketing plan include a communications audit, graphic standards, branding, advertising, media relations, and web marketing.

• Advertising: In 2005, U-Comm created a focused advertising plan for a balanced mix of media—outdoor, print, web marketing, television, and radio.

• Media Relations: A media relations/communi-cations advisory panel has been established to provide insight into media strategies and to improve the flow of communications within the institution.

• Web Marketing: On-line advertising through the website of a local radio station was initiated in fall 2005. A redesigned homepage consistent with graphics standards will be completed in winter 2006.

A5. A Media and Communications Advisory Committee has been formed, and a system established to document media coverage of SVSU.

A2. The Foundation Investment Committee has engaged an independent investment advisor and will consider new strategies to improve the investment performance of the endowment portfolio. Some silent phase gifts for the campaign have been secured and a campaign goal of $20 million by June 30, 2008 has been established. Since July 1, 2001, a total of $10,645,590 for new and existing endowments has been raised. This figure includes the following major endowments:

• Allen Foundation Research Endowment ($1 million)
• Kresge II Challenge Endowment ($1.3 million)
• Field Endowed Chair in Health Sciences ($1.5 million)
• Spicer Endowed Chair in Engineering ($1.5 million)
• Gerstacker Fellowship Program ($1.5 million)
• Braun Fellowship Program ($1.5 million)

A3. In consultation with Ketchum and financial advisors, a program is being developed. An advisory group of ten people has been established; two planned giving seminars have been conducted at SVSU. A donor recognition society titled Creating the Future Society has been established.

A4. Several alumni events have been scheduled to increase involvement. These events include Law Awareness Day, Disability Day, and a mentoring program. The Alumni Board has been included in Board of Fellows meetings and attendance at the Alumni Celebration/Awards Banquet increased from 125 in 2004 to 268 in 2005 (+114.4%). Local donor events have also included alumni. (See Campus Culture 1F1.) Communication with alumni has been improved via the creation of an e-newsletter, which was distributed to more than 8,700 alumni. Membership in the Alumni Association grew from 1,752 in fall 2004 to 1,906 in fall 2005 (+8.78%).

A5. The prospect pool has been increased by 25%. Ketchum is reviewing the Annual Fund campaign and will advise.

A1. A Federal earmark for $200,000 was received in November 2004; another earmark for more than $1 million for 2005 was supported by area U.S. Congressmen but did not enjoy Senate support. Government Relations has been advised to resubmit the request in March 2006 for the FY 2006-07 budget.

A2. The concept of "floor funding" was established in the FY 2005 Higher Education Bill at a level of $3,890 per student. The concept was sustained in the FY 2006 HE Bill at $3,560 per student, resulting in increased funding beyond the Governor’s recommended budget.

A3. Acceptance of the Cardinal Square concept by area businesses and township officials is demonstrated by an increase of store signs and advertisements directing customers to "Cardinal Square." Kochville and Saginaw Township officials have also engaged in discussion and action for the renaming of "Fashion Square Boulevard" as "Cardinal Square Boulevard."