Office of Institutional Effectiveness
The Best Place To Start
Standing Committee Improvement Report For 2014-2015
In accordance with College Procedure 2.01.01.14, Committees, the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, each May, requests the chairs of the College’s standing
committees to submit the Annual Standing Committee Chairs’ Year-End Improvement Report to inform the President of the College concerning the decisions and
effectiveness of the standing committees. The data are used to create this Standing Committee Improvement Report, which is available on the College web site:
http://www.epcc.edu/InstitutionalEffectiveness/Pages/StandingCommitteeImprovementReportbyCommittee.aspx .
NORTHWEST IMPROVEMENT TEAM
CHARGE: To bring to the Institutional Effectiveness Committee ideas and concerns about the effectiveness of the College, and the Institutional Effectiveness Committee
shall forward to the President recommendations, based on these concerns, on improving various aspects of the College.
Academic
Year
2014-2015
I. Response to last Year’s Chair’s recommended Plan
of Action
II. Recommendations and Receiving Administrator(s)
III. Recommended Plan of Action (e.g. Objectives) for
the Committee during the next Academic Year
a. Northwest Improvement Team continued to play an active role
in the Master Planning Committee of the College with a final
proposed campus extension project selected.
a. Northwest Improvement Team voted to adopt a 2 mile stretch
of Rio Grande River located behind the campus as part of the
Texas Clean Rivers Program. The committee organized its first
clean-up of the river on April 18, 2015 with students, faculty, and
staff from Northwest Campus volunteering in the clean-up.
a. Continue the Employee of the Month Subcommittee utilizing
the revised procedure.
b. The noxious smells in the C Building have been resolved, with
no issues reported this year.
c. The issues with the main entrance door to the M Building have
been resolved.
d. The Employee of the Month Subcommittee continues to meet
on a monthly basis and is conducting business using the revised
procedure.
b. The Northwest Improvement Team helped organize and staff
two Science Cafes held at the Northwest Campus on March 27,
2015 and April 24, 2015. The Science Café in March had 8 guest
speakers from the community give discussions on Urban
Agriculture. The Science Café in April was a venue that allowed
students in Biology, Chemistry, and History to present their
projects as an oral or poster presentation to a public audience.
Prizes were donated by the Service Learning Program, and some
Northwest Campus faculty.
c. The Northwest Improvement Team helped fund snacks for the
Resource Fair on October 15, 2015. Members also contributed by
organizing and staffing the fair held in the NW Campus Cafeteria.
Prizes were donated by the Dean's office and some faculty.
b. Follow up to ensure the funded proposals for the additional
seating in the main building, the new directories, and the
Northwest Chihuahuan Desert Gardens have been completed.
c. Continue with the Rio Grande clean-up.
d. Follow up with the installation of the water fountains in the Main
and C Buildings.
e. Follow up to ensure the broken lights outside the C Building
have been resolved.
f. The Northwest Campus Improvement Team should continue to
be involved in any future Master Planning meetings or
discussions.
d. The Northwest Improvement Team submitted proposals for the
College Improvement Team additional funding opportunity. Three
of the four proposals selected were awarded funding. This
included the addition of seating in the Northwest Campus Main
Building and surrounding areas, the acquisition of directories to
help provide location information to visitors of the campus, and
money to establish the Northwest Chihuahuan Desert Gardens as
both an educational and aesthetic addition to the campus.
e. Northwest Improvement Team discussed the Northwest
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH AND ACCOUNTABILITY
H:RS/REPORTS2014-2015/2014-2015CMTECHAIRSANNUALIMPROVEMENTRPTNORTHWESTIMPROVEMENTTEAM
EPCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
6/22/15
Page 1 of 5
Academic
Year
I. Response to last Year’s Chair’s recommended Plan
of Action
II. Recommendations and Receiving Administrator(s)
III. Recommended Plan of Action (e.g. Objectives) for
the Committee during the next Academic Year
Campus Police's need for a wheelchair to aid in emergency
situations. A member of the committee donated a wheelchair to
the Campus Police.
2013-2014
As the College is currently deciding whether to go smoke-free,
and as the College is currently in the Master Planning stage,
creation and maintenance of the designated smoking areas is on
hold.
Additional Faculty parking was created, and signs were placed
designating same.
The Main building entry door situation has not been resolved.
There is currently no solution proposed by Facilities, nor is there
any indication as to funding for any project. Also, the automatic
door in this area is in need of repair.
An Employee of the Month Subcommittee has been formed and is
conducting business using the revised procedure.
2012-2013
The Police have been equipped with a bucket and appropriate
snake handling equipment. Dr. Jose Pacheco Lucero was
appointed as the NW Campus "Snake Wrangler." The Police
should contact Dr. Pacheco Lucero when a live snake is found on
campus.
An Employee of the Month Subcommittee was created and is
currently utilizing the revised procedure.
A Smoke Free College was discussed. Consequently, two
designated smoking areas on campus have been identified. The
NW signage plan is currently being updated to include appropriate
signage to delineate these reserved areas.
The NW IE team members participated in the meetings of the
Master Planning Committee for the College.
The NW IE Team participated in the College-wide Developmental
Education Fair by organizing and staffing the Fair held in the NW
cafeteria. The NW IE Team also held a scavenger hunt for this
fair with prizes donated by the Dean’s office and some Faculty.
Also, the NW IE committee hosted events on Earth Day
The NW IE Team discussed the ongoing issue with noxious
smells in the C Building and coordinated with the Dean’s office to
document and report same to facilities in an effort to resolve this
issue.
Continued participation in the Master Planning Committees of the
College with an eye toward improving NW for the students and
staff.
Follow up and continue working on eliminating the noxious smells
in the C Building.
Continue working on trying to resolve the issues with the main
entrance door to the M Building.
Continue the Employee of the Month Subcommittee.
The team authorized the purchase of a tablecloth with the College
logo and campus name to be used for the beginning-of-eachsemester information table. The team also authorized a budget for
the information table to provide candy and pencils for students. Mr. Robert Aguilar, the NW campus Liaison to the ECHS, was
asked to attend the monthly meetings in order to establish a
NECHS presence on the committee. Mr. Aguilar has now been
appointed to the NW IE Team.
The “Wall of Fame” has been relocated to a cabinet in front of the
Dean’s office in the Main building.
A proposal to add additional faculty parking signs was submitted
to Facilities. Funding is currently being located.
Follow up with the creation and appropriate maintenance of the
newly designated smoking areas.
Follow up with the realization of the additional faculty parking
signs.
Ensure that the entry door situation of the Main building is
resolved.
Continue the Employee of the Month Subcommittee, utilizing the
revised procedure.
The ongoing problem with the entry doors to the main building
was revisited. Changing the sequence in which the doors opened
has been proposed. The first door would open on the right-hand
side, for instance, and then the second (interior) door would open
on the left-hand side, which might block much of the wind from
blowing straight into the building. Funding is currently being
located.
NW IE Team aided the Bookstore in facilitating student entry/exit
from the Bookstore during week 1 of the semester to ensure
reduced wait time and “sold out” updates.
NW IE Team aided Campus Life in planning and monitoring a
successful QEP day. A variety of Businesses/Vendors were
invited to attend. A scavenger hunt was also created for students
campus wide.
2011-2012
Reactivated the "Wall of Fame" in the Main Bldg. Quotes for
Trophies and cake for the EOM were obtained for the 2011-2012
school year.
Even though the presence of ECHS was established, the
representative for the NECHS never attended the monthly
meetings.
The NW-IE Team formed a task force to deal with opposition from
a group of individuals to the removal of dead bushes. The team
was successful in providing enough evidence that the removal of
shrubs was not going to harm the cotton tail rabbits as feared.
The dead brushes were removed.
Ensure that the training and proper trapping equipment to trap
and release snakes is carried out as soon as possible.
The team submitted a list of "Cost Saving" measures to the
District IE Committee. The committee also agreed to set up a
Get the updated maps for the main building and the classroom
building.
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Implement the new, revised procedure to select the Employee of
the Month.
H:RS/REPORTS2014-2015/2014-2015CMTECHAIRSANNUALIMPROVEMENTRPTNORTHWESTIMPROVEMENTTEAM
EPCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
6/22/15
Page 2 of 5
Academic
Year
I. Response to last Year’s Chair’s recommended Plan
of Action
II. Recommendations and Receiving Administrator(s)
"Cost Savings Measures" suggestion box in the main building.
The NW-IE Team requested 2 additional industrial ashtrays for
outside of the main building, but got only one.
III. Recommended Plan of Action (e.g. Objectives) for
the Committee during the next Academic Year
Remind the physical plant to place signs outside the main building
so smokers stop littering with cigarette butts.
The NW-IE Team was successful getting the Physical Plant to get
the city to place a school zone light facing south; EPCC
employees leaving campus would know if they should observe the
school zone speed limits.
Efforts to get training and equipment to remove snakes from the
campus safely were initiated. Nancy Tharp has already started
the efforts to resolve this situation, and Josette Shaughnessy has
also been informed of the safety issue.
Initiated and completed the revision of the selection of the
Employee of the Month process.
Agreed to update the building maps for the main building and for
the classroom building
Implemented a system to turn lights off and electronic equipment
on the weekends in an effort to reduce electricity cost at the
Northwest Campus.
2010-2011
Developed a new “bottom-up” system for reporting issues to
Facilities and submitted a final, prioritized list of issues for their
review.
Resolved lighting issues across NW parking lot.
Disseminated information regarding the changes to the District IE
Committee.
Held monthly EOM recognition/celebrations and ordered new
trophies for current and future use.
Team members supported Blood Drive and Campus Clean–up.
Reactivated EOM “Wall of Fame” in main building of NW.
Addressed various housekeeping and plumbing issues across
campus.
Expanded divisional/departmental participation on information
tables.
Ensure that some solution has been established or implemented
to warm staff offices located near the main entrance to Building M
before the Winter weather arrives.
Reorganize IE team membership according to the needs of the
new IE Committee charter while retaining needed members for
traditional team functions.
Update division webpage when the new web format is universally
implemented and when membership is clearly defined.
Continue to monitor high priority (health and safety) facilities items
for solutions and closure.
Established a permanent presence for ECHS on the NW IE
Team.
Continue expanding divisional/departmental participation on the
IE Team-sponsored activities.
2009-2010
[Not requested]

To Dr. Lydia Tena:
To Dr. Tena-Continue working on NW Beautification Report and
prioritize work tickets and/or work designs that need to be
completed and ensure funding is available for projects.
To Dr. Tena-Review NW IE Recommendations where Pharmacy
Technology program is housed e.g., Classroom, Computer
Electronic Classroom, New Student Orientation to help with
Registration and Financial Aid, Shared Classroom or Physics lab
to be implemented in that area.
Communicate with dean's office to maintain cleanliness of
classrooms and bathrooms in Main building.




Accomplishments

Held celebrations for Employees of the Month each month.

Created a subcommittee to help with completing Beautification
Report projects
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Continue updating NW IE Webpage with Employee of the
Month information, upcoming events, current officers
and posting of all minutes that are recorded.
Update Employee of the Month pictures located in the NW
hallway.
Continue with the Employee of the Month celebration and
explore new ideas for celebrating this honorary
achievement.
Plan for "Information Tables" to be set up and sponsored by
the NW IE Team during the Fall, Spring, or Summer
sessions. These tables will help guide new students.
Follow-Up and ensure there are adequate numbers of
handicap and visitor parking spaces available in the main
parking lot.
Support and Work with the Northwest Early College High
School.
Monitor and Report on the expansion of the cafeteria-in
progress.
Work in conjunction with Dr. Tena on the Campus
H:RS/REPORTS2014-2015/2014-2015CMTECHAIRSANNUALIMPROVEMENTRPTNORTHWESTIMPROVEMENTTEAM
EPCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
6/22/15
Page 3 of 5
Academic
Year
I. Response to last Year’s Chair’s recommended Plan
of Action
II. Recommendations and Receiving Administrator(s)
III. Recommended Plan of Action (e.g. Objectives) for
the Committee during the next Academic Year

2008-2009
[Not requested]
Campus Beautification Report with highest priorities:
Installation of Canopies adjacent to campus buildings.
Expansion of Cafeteria and purchase of new stove and walk-in
refrigerator.
Installation of indoor slab benches for hallway of C building.
Construction of storage facility for campus attached to main
building.
Beautification Report and prioritize and submit work tickets
and/or work designs on projects that need to be completed
and document the status of work that has been
completed.
Follow-Up with SGA about pool tables.
Campus beautification report as an ongoing charge of IE
committee should be kept updated and used as a history of what
has been done.
Follow up on important beautification issues such as: expansion
of the cafeteria, installation of canopies, construction of indoor
slab benches, construction of storage facility, replacement of
carpet and furniture, student union, landscaping.
Needs and concerns of Northwest Early College High School
(NWECHS) as part of NW campus should be addressed.
NWECHS should take part in all Campus IE activities.
Replacement of furniture in conference room (M05 and M45).
Replacement of carpet in hallway of faculty office area, library and
M45.
Continue using surveys from faculty, staff, and students to
register concerns, and evaluate needs and plans for improvement
of campus.
Replacement of blinds in alcove area of main building and
cafeteria.
Continue with EOM recognition celebration and celebrating Spring
Fling and welcome tables.
Addition of signage for campus.
Support Dean’s office in planning and implementing campus
events.
Support District IE in voicing concerns and development of plans
that impact EPCC as a whole.
2007-2008
[Not requested]
To Dr. Richard Rhodes and Dr. Lydia Tena:
Area Beautification Report: Report on the external beautification
of the campus pertaining to landscaping, kiosks, shade canopies,
picnic tables/chairs/benches etc.
Campus Master Plan New Facilities Recommendations: solicited
input from the NW campus community concerning their needs in
the construction of the new classroom building at the NW
Campus. This was done in conjunction with the visit from the
architectural firm.
Remodeling of Current Campus Facilities: provided suggestions
to architectural firm on the conversion of the warehouse at the
NW Campus, as well as other current infrastructural needs/repairs
around campus.
Office and Classroom Furniture/Equipment Report: new furniture
requests for both office/classroom purposes.
2006-2007
[Not requested]
To Dr. Lydia Tena-Perez, Dean:
Furniture recommendations.
Landscaping recommendations.
Continue updating these aforementioned
reports/recommendations with current information about
evolving campus infrastructural/equipment needs.
• Provide institutional support for the Northwest Early College
High School opening in Summer 2008.
• Continue supporting the Employee of the Month celebrations
with new ideas on how to recognize employees.
• Plan for two campus-wide events to be held in the Fall and
Spring Semesters: these events will celebrate the NW campus
with a welcoming of the NW Early College HS in the Fall. The
NW "Annual Spring Fling" will be held again in the Spring 09
semester.
• Provide an open and responsive venue for the NW campus
constituency to address their concerns, questions and needs.
• Work in concert with the District IE Committee to develop
policies and plans to address District-wide issues impacting the
entire College community.
• Support the NW Campus Dean's Office in the planning and
implementing of campus programs and events.
 Continue work on Mutual Use of Facilities agreement with
Canutillo HS.
 Continue to try to get Atomic Clocks for campus use.
 Continue to try to get the area used by the cafeteria secured.
Continue to work on getting diaper changing tables in all
restrooms on campus.
Mutual Use
Agreement with Canutillo HS.
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH AND ACCOUNTABILITY
H:RS/REPORTS2014-2015/2014-2015CMTECHAIRSANNUALIMPROVEMENTRPTNORTHWESTIMPROVEMENTTEAM
EPCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
6/22/15
Page 4 of 5
Academic
Year
I. Response to last Year’s Chair’s recommended Plan
of Action
II. Recommendations and Receiving Administrator(s)
III. Recommended Plan of Action (e.g. Objectives) for
the Committee during the next Academic Year
Maintenance recommendations.
To Facilities:
Atomic Clock requests.
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH AND ACCOUNTABILITY
H:RS/REPORTS2014-2015/2014-2015CMTECHAIRSANNUALIMPROVEMENTRPTNORTHWESTIMPROVEMENTTEAM
EPCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
6/22/15
Page 5 of 5