December 2012
newsletter
In this issue:
Click on list item to jump to page
Page 3
• Campus Citizen
of the Month
• Chancellor
Ambassadors
Page 4
• URS/SRR Scholars
• FacDat FAQ
• Pacer Athletics
Page 5
• Campus Support
Services helpful
tips and tricks
Page 6
• Computer
Services updates
OOC News
Creation of the Innovation Fund
Forward Together Update
D
uring the State of the University Address on November
12th, I announced the creation of an “Innovation
Fund” of $50,000 that will be used to reward creative
approaches to enhancing student retention through
heightened student engagement.
The Forward Together Visioning process
revealed that each stakeholder group
believed that expanding the university’s
enrollment and strategically growing
the size of the university was the top
priority for the future. In addition to
our renewed efforts to recruit more
freshmen and transfer students, USC
Aiken will also need to increase student
retention and progression rates with the
ultimate goal of increasing graduation
rates. Our current retention rates cost
the university $6 million in lost revenue
each year and therefore retention,
progression, and graduation (RPG) must
be a top institutional priority. Increasing
graduation rates will produce additional
benefits which include enhancing the
university’s reputation, maximizing
revenue, and preparing for changes to state
funding that will reward institutions with
higher graduation rates. It is also the “right
thing to do” to create a unique niche for
our institution and to place our “focused
on you” values into full action.
Proposal Focus: The purpose of the
Innovation Fund is to provide funding
for “pilot” projects that will help us retain
students by actively engaging them in the
learning process. Research on successful
and sustained learning has proven that
students who are actively engaged in the
learning process are more likely to learn
deeply and become more self-motivated
and persistent learners.
While not a comprehensive list,
some examples of high impact
pedagogies could include:
• structured semesters abroad,
• course redesign,
• rethinking “seat time” through a
creative use of technology to help
students master content (lecture
capture),
• connecting to real world/community
issues through service learning and
internships,
• using “gaming pedagogies” and role
playing,
• the use of recognition and
reinforcement techniques (badges),
• incorporating processes to provide
continuous monitoring and
feedback,
• creating three-year baccalaureate
programs (including summers),
• undergraduate research projects,
• utilizing supplemental instruction,
• ...and developing learning
communities around innovation.
continued on page 2
page 1
Innovation, continued from page 1
Engagement can be designed for learning beyond the classroom as well as including
leadership programs, learning communities in housing, and opportunities to connect work
experiences to classroom learning.
Successful proposals for the innovation fund will include the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Problem(s) to be addressed through engagement techniques
The engagement techniques to be piloted
Names of all Innovation Team Members involved in the pilot project
The timeline for the pilot project
A detailed budget for the pilot project
The assessment plan to determine the success of the pilot
Individuals or teams submitting a winning pilot proposal may request between $1,000 and
$8,000 to launch and “seed” their project. Any award must be used to DIRECTLY support a
new initiative and funds cannot be requested for initiatives currently in place. Additionally, the
individual (or team) will also receive a $1,000 reward (as a salary supplement/bonus or travel
funds) as recognition of the winning innovation project. In the case of a team proposal, $1,000
would be split among the members of the team. The $1,000 reward is subject to payroll rules and
policies.
Proposals are due by January 18, 2013 and will be reviewed
and ranked by a committee of faculty, staff, and students.
page 2
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Congratulations to Gee Lockhart-Sigman of Institutional Effectiveness
for being named the first recipient of USC Aiken Campus Citizen
of the Month Award!
CAMPUS T
he Campus Citizen of the Month award is given in recognition of
good citizenship. All faculty, classified and unclassified staff, and
university partners who have been with the University for one year
and are in good standing are eligible. The nomination remains active
indefinitely in the pool of candidates. The nomination form must be
signed by the nominee’s supervisor and sent to the nominee’s Vice
Chancellor in that unit. The criteria to be used in the nomination are:
CITIZEN
of the Month
o Initiative/Creativity: Exhibits ingenuity and resourcefulness. Examples:
o
o
o
Improved work methods, efficiency within the department.
Loyalty/Dedication: Willing to go “extra mile” without being asked.
Positive Attitude: Maintains effective relationships with others both on and
off campus; serves as role model. Example: Consistently delivers prompt,
friendly service.
Leadership: Acknowledge those whose efforts have inspired and supported
the performance and achievement of others.
Monday Group will review the nominations and select each month’s
winner. Contact Maria Chandler at MariaC@usca.edu for more information.
New Student Group Bridges Gap Between Current Students and Alumni
C
Left to Right: Tomas Greizinger, Stacee Kingsberry, Sam LaMunion,
Endea Ellison, Bart Good, Lauren Davis, Nicole Streeb, Kevin Roach,
Robert Murphy, Dr. Sandra Jordan
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ongratulations to the nine
students who have been chosen
to be Chancellor Ambassadors. This
special group was nominated by campus
faculty and staff, and interviewed
for their position on this elite new
team. “These students will represent
USC Aiken in the community and at
University events in an effort to bridge
the gap between students and alumni,”
said Alumni Director Ashley Howell.
“They have done a great job promoting
goodwill and beneficial relationships
between student leaders and alumni.
They have also displayed personal and
professional character as they have
interacted with others on behalf of the
Chancellor. The USC Aiken Alumni
Association Council is excited to work
so closely with the team, helping them
develop from student volunteers into
future alumni leaders.” Welcome!
page 3
Institutional
Effectiveness:
URS/SRR Scholars Honored
FacDat FAQ
F
acDat is an online database
that began as an institutional
credentialing database created
and maintained by the Office
of Institutional Effectiveness
to ensure compliance with
Accreditation standards.
However, FacDat has evolved
into a repository of valuable
information that can be used for
a variety of operational purposes.
All full-time and part-time faculty,
and even staff who teach, have
access to their profiles in this
database. In fact, faculty are asked
to upload new curricula vitae on
an annual basis.
How do I log in?
Login to FacDat using your USC
Aiken username and password
from our website (http://
ie.usc.edu >“Accreditation &
Compliance”> FacDat)
What sort of information is
available in FacDat?
On your profile, you will see: a) an
overview of your credentials with
secure links to pdf copies of your
transcripts, cv, and if necessary, a
justification memo; b) an overview
of your education including
degrees earned; c) a list of courses
taught for the selected semester
with links to pdf copies of course
syllabi; d) HR details such as your
job class and slot number, salary
information, pay basis, etc.; e)
annual inequity and compression
indices, for full-time faculty only,
as calculated through the annual
Faculty Salary Study; f ) Academic
Affairs dates including dates of
appointment, promotion, tenure,
and post-tenure review; and g)
annual merit ratings.
page 4
The 2012 URS/SRR Scholars gathered in November for the check
presentation of their awards from URS and Savannah River Remediation
funding STEM majors.
T
Fall Sports Recap
he women’s cross country
team closed out its 2012 campaign
having finished in the top-10 in three out
of its five meets. The best finish of the
year was winning the 5K Francis Marion
Invitational. USC Aiken ended its season
by finishing 23rd as a team at the 2012
NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country
Southeast Region Championship. For the
second consecutive meet, junior Keely
Gillespie set a new school 6K record in
finishing 13th with a time of 23:24.2. For
her efforts, Keely was named to the AllSoutheast Region team for the first time
in her career. Gillespie was one of three
Pacers chosen to the Honorable Mention
PBC Women’s Cross Country All-Academic
Team. Joining Gillespie as Honorable
Mention selections were Alexis Harvin and
Brittany May. Hillary Spears was chosen to
the 2012 PBC Women’s Cross Country AllSportsmanship Team.
In women’s soccer, USC Aiken
ended its 2012 season with a 4-11-3 overall
record. The Pacers were 3-7-1 in PBC
action this season to place 9th out of 12
teams. USC Aiken’s Aubrey Danielson
and Emily Dodd were both selected to the
Peach Belt Conference Women’s Soccer
All-Academic Team. Kim Beyer, Alli Edens
and Kyle Maguire were Honorable Mention
All-Academic selections.
In men’s soccer, the Pacers played
for the PBC Tournament Championship
and closed out the 2012 season with a
6-6-6 record. Two of USC Aiken’s six ties
included penalty kick shootout wins over
nationally sixth-ranked Lander and Young
Harris in the PBC Tournament. Brett Van
Pelt and Mark Hanlon were named to the
PBC Men’s Soccer All-Conference Team.
Van Pelt, Brandon Jarosz and Noel Mais
were named to the PBC Men’s Soccer
All-Tournament Team. Chinedu Arinze
and Michael Poole were both selected to
the PBC Men’s Soccer All-Academic Team
while Schevon Joseph was Honorable
Mention.
Volleyball ended with an overall
record of 18-13 and a third place
conference finish. Three Pacers earned
conference recognition with Samantha
Lukralle leading the way by being named
the recipient of the PBC Volleyball
Elite 15 award. The award honors the
student-athlete competing in the PBC
championship event with the highest
cumulative GPA. Lukralle ended her career
with 2,160 career digs which is the most
all-time in Pacer volleyball history. Lukralle
and Ashley Farwell were selected to the
Capital One Academic NCAA Division II
Women’s Volleyball District Three FirstTeam. Lukralle was also named to the PBC
All-Conference Second-Team. USC Aiken
freshman Ashley Diedrich was tabbed
as the PBC Co-Freshman of the Year.
Shannon Byers closed out her Pacer career
as a four-time All-PBC selection. She is
one of just two Pacer volleyball players to
ever be named All-Conference for four
consecutive years.
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Campus Support Services
Helpful Tips and Tricks
Contracts
Just a reminder that only the Chancellor
of USC Aiken has the authority to sign
contracts on behalf of our University!
Please consult with the Purchasing
Office or the Vice Chancellor for
Business and Finance if you have any
questions about this policy.
Petty Cash
Do you have a small, one time purchase
and would like to be reimbursed? Petty
cash may be your answer.
Cash purchases not exceeding $50 may
be made for materials and supplies
when there is an urgent need and other
purchasing methods are impractical.
These purchases should be nonrecurring.
Guidelines:
- $50.00 limit cannot be exceeded,
no exceptions. Purchases divided to
circumvent these or other restrictions
noted herein will be considered
unauthorized purchases.
- By using the petty cash method,
you are certifying that the price paid is
fair and reasonable. Petty cash is not to
be used to purchase items available from
campus supply or state term contracts.
- If you have questions regarding
a petty cash purchase, please call the
Purchasing Office prior to picking up
the item(s).
- Abuse will result in the cancellation
of that department’s use of petty cash.
To obtain reimbursement:
a) Pick up item and obtain original
paid receipt.
b) Complete a purchase requisition.
c) Take PR and paid receipt to the
Finance Office.
Copy Center – Color
Need to jazz up a presentation or
add some pizzazz to your report? Try
adding some color. The USC Aiken
Copy Center has the ability to create
color copies for all your needs. Send
your request via hard copy, disk, CD
or e-mail. Bring in your favorite
picture and we can make it into a
mouse pad!!
Copier Codes
Need to make a copy and don’t know
where to turn? Call or e-mail Ray
Bolen at rayb@usca.edu to establish
a copy code for a copier nearest you.
Include your name, department,
telephone extension and location(s)
that you would like to use. The copies
you make will be charged directly to
your department each month.
For more information on printing and
the USC Aiken Copy Center, follow
the link below:
http://www.usca.edu/campussupport/
printing.asp
State Contracts
Going crazy looking for a vendor?
Try looking through the listing of
state contracts. You may be surprised
at what you find.
The State establishes term contracts
for goods and services that are in
high demand and the use of these
contracts are mandated by state law.
Use of these contracts exempts you
from obtaining additional quotes.
State contracts may be found at the
following links:
http://cio.state.sc.us/itmo/contract/
itsclist.htm http://www.state.sc.us/
mmo/contract/spsclist.htm
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Vending
Having an issue with our vending
services? We can help. If you
experience a problem with any of the
vending machines on campus, please
e-mail or call Campus Support Services
(extension 3455) to report the problem.
Please note the machine location and
specific problem so we can resolve the
issue. For example, “there is no Diet
Coke in the bottle machine located in
the B&E building.”
In the unfortunate event that a
machine “eats” your money, refund
locations have been set up to reimburse
you for your loss. They are:
* Business Services Office located in the
Robert E. Penland Building, Room 116
* Etherredge Center Box Office
* Student Life and Services Offices
located in the Student Activities Center
Making a
Purchase
So you want to make a purchase, do
you? Here’s a quick checklist that will
guide you down the right path:
o Identify a need for a purchase
o Obtain a price or cost estimate of purchase. Remember to include any
applicable shipping or freight charges
and tax.
If the item costs less than $2,500, it is
considered fair and reasonable and:
The vendor accepts credit cards:
o Use a card member within the
department to make the purchase
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page 5
campus support servicestips and tricks
making a purchase
continued from page 5
o
From Computer Services Division
Be sure to retain all back up
documentation and forward it
to the cardholder’s liaison in order
to insure that any necessary
changes are made.
The vendor does not accept credit cards:
o
Complete a Purchase Requisition
and forward it to the Purchasing
Department.
Note: if the purchase is a computer related
or software related purchase, it must be
first sent to CSD for approval. In turn,
CSD will forward the approved PR to the
Purchasing Department.
If the item costs between $2,500 and
$10,000:
A minimum of three (3) written quotes
for solicitations from qualified sources
of supply are required. These quotes
must be attached to the departments
completed PR.
Note: if the purchase is a computer related
or software related purchase, it must be
first sent to CSD for approval. In turn,
CSD will forward the approved PR to the
Purchasing Department.
If the item(s) cost more than $10,000
contact the Purchasing Department
for assistance. Goods and services
that will cost between $10,000 and
$50,000 must be advertised at least once
in SCBO (South Carolina Business
Opportunities). Any good or service
with a total potential commitment
in excess of $50,000 will not be
issued a PO from USC Aiken. These
commitments will be exercised through
USC Columbia.
For more information, follow this link:
http://www.usca.edu/campussupport/
priceschedule.asp
Student Focus Group
Beginning in January, the Computer Services Division will host a number of
student focus group meetings in an effort to get input from USC Aiken students
regarding technology on campus. CSD staffers are working with SGA officers
to identify dates and times that are convenient for as many students as possible.
Currently, CSD has tentatively selected an afternoon time slot in the SAC, an
evening time in one of the residence halls, and an early-spring Chancellor’s Panel
meeting for the focus groups. Stay tuned for more details.
Instructional Technology
Committee
The Campus Technology Committee (CTC) has formed an ad hoc
Instructional Technology Committee to evaluate the campus’ classroom
technology. The group, made up of four faculty and three staff members,
will make technology improvement recommendations to CSD and the CTC.
CSD will then use those recommendations to guide its classroom upgrade
plan scheduled to begin in Summer 2013. The members of the Instructional
Technology Committee are: John Elliott, Associate Professor – Art; David Jaspers,
Senior Instructor – Mathematics; Ravi Narayanaswamy, Assistant Professor –
Business; Keith Pierce, Director of Instructional Services – CSD; Tom Smyth,
Professor - Education; and Bob Wiesner, Director of Communications and
Hardware - CSD.
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