SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE
Institutional Effectiveness Committee
January 31, 2014
9:00 a.m. – Founders Room
MINUTES
Members Present: Corye Beene, Jim Belcher, Nanette Blair, Rob Blair, Dane Dewbre, Shanna
Donica, Urisonya Flunder, Ann Gregory, Jim Harman, Stephen John, Kara Martinez, Mollie
Melton, Jessica Miller, Cathy Mitchell, Stuart Moody, Yancy Nuñez, Gary Poffenbarger, Lynda
Reid, Shalyn Slape, Dawn Valles, Ben Walton, Ronnie Watkins and Alan Worley. Lola
Hernandez was a guest.
Members Absent: Billy Alonzo, Jenna Holt-Day, Sue Ann Lopez, Jody Reding, Yolanda
Salgado, Lance Scott, Amanda Sims, Ron Spears, Pete Stracener, Jeremy Todd, and Jim Walker.
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the November 15, 2013 meeting,
distributed earlier by email, were presented for approval. Motion by Jack Wardlow to accept
minutes by consensus. Motion seconded by Shanna Donica. Motion passed on voice vote.
The following subcommittee reports and agenda items were presented.
Institutional Research and Data Subcommittee
Jack Wardlow reported that data reporting is getting better as advisors are trained in what
student profile information needs to be collected. Apply Texas is asking applicants to indicate
father’s and mother’s highest educational level in effort to identify first generation college
students. Committee members discussed how well students disclose “special populations” data.
Dawn Valles commented that most students with disabilities do not self-report because they do
not want to be identified in the data system as having a disability. So the disability data that is
reported from the student information system is not accurate. The Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board requires that students with disabilities be identified by name and social
security number, and some students are not willing to submit this information.
Wardlow also reported that the Fall 2013 grade distribution data has been posed to the
Institutional Research pages in MySPC and that the Spring 2014 student information system
(SIS) data will be posted by the end of the day. The 12th Class Day Census showed that 9,012
students have enrolled for the spring semester, which is 3.9% or 373 students fewer than a year
ago. Stephen John reported that 26 of 32 Texas community colleges reporting spring headcount
enrollment are experiencing the same trend in varying degrees. Committee members discussed
the enrollment decline, noting that the percentage of high school graduates for the College’s
service area has declined by 2% over the past five years. Looking at Region 17 school data,
public school enrollment in grades K to 5 is up 8% over the past five years, while high school
populations have declined by about 2%. Historically, when employment levels are high,
enrollment is down and vice versa. The region’s unemployment rate is lower than the state’s
rate. John also noted that from academic years 2009 to 2013, the number of students receiving
Pell grants, indicating low income, has increased by 1,300 students.
Mission Statement Evaluation Subcommittee
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Kara Martinez reported that an email reminder was distributed to all employees inviting them
to review and comment on the revised mission statement posted on MySPC. Two focus groups
are being assembled on the Levelland Campus and the Reese Center to gather additional
feedback. These groups will be asked to respond to the following questions: 1) What do we do
at SPC? and 2) What do you see us doing in 10 years? A student focus group is also being
organized. Martinez said she hoped the subcommittee will complete this process by the end of
February.
Assessment Subcommittee
Shanna Donica announced that a professional development opportunity in the area of
assessment has been planned for 10 a.m. March 28, in the Sundown Room of the Student
Center. Jason Rinaldo, senior director of assessment for the Rawls College of Business at Texas
Tech University, will share his experiences and insight in instructional and operational
assessments. She also said SPC will be a community college partner with Texas Tech, Texas
Tech Health Sciences Center and Angelo State University for the West Texas Assessment
Conference planned for next fall. Donica also distributed a draft of an SPC Fact Book to
committee members and asked for input for content and presentation of data. The Fact Book
has been prepared by the Institutional Research and Reports Office and will be finalized by
April.
QEP Implementation Report
Lola Hernandez, Quality Enhancement Plan coordinator, provided a report on the status of
implementing the QEP. Currently, the QEP Steering Team is working to responding to the
three recommendations of the On-Site Reaffirmation Committee. One of the recommendations
was to narrow the scope of the project. The Steering Team has decided to target undecided
general studies students. Additionally, the student learning outcomes for the project have been
revised and restated to include measurable outcomes. She said she will be attending a regional
leadership conference hosted by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) were
she will work with mentors to revise the assessment portion of the QEP. The first professional
development opportunity for SPC employees is tentatively scheduled for April 4 and will
involve mid-management personnel, including deans, directors, department chairs and
associate deans. This workshop will focus on what we do well and will provide general
information about our current advising process. It will be an opportunity to “rediscover SPC.”
The Steering Team is also in the process of forming an advisory council and is working on its
composition. A student survey is also being planned to get further student input into the
process. Hernandez reported that virtual schedule builder has been purchased and
implementation will begin in April. The goal is to have it ready for use for summer new student
orientation. She is also reviewing and revising the advisor information system to make sure
students are connected with the correct advisor. Hernandez’s office is now located in SS113.
Student Satisfaction Inventory Survey Results
Cathy Mitchell distributed summary results of the Student Satisfaction Inventory that was
administered last fall. The number of students participating in the survey was down with only
109 students completing the online survey. The survey identified the following strengths (by
item number):
2. Classes are scheduled at times that are convenient for me.
13. The campus is safe and secure for all students.
28. This campus provides online assess to services I need.
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42. Campus item: My advisor’s name, office location and contact information is easy to
find.
18. Computer labs are adequate and accessible.
20. Students are made to feel welcome here.
34. Faculty are usually available to students outside of class (during office hours, by
phone, or by e-mail).
36. Tuition paid is a worthwhile investment.
1. The campus staff are caring and helpful.
Mitchell said items 28, 42, 18 and 1 are new to the strength list with this administration.
Survey items that were identified as being a challenge included the following
8. The quality of instruction I receive in most of my classes is excellent.
49. Campus item: Students are notified early if they are doing poorly in a class.
23. This institution helps me identify resources to finance my education.
50 Campus item: The time spent with my advisor was valuable.
22. My academic advisor is knowledgeable about transfer requirements of other schools.
25. Faculty provide timely feedback about my academic progress.
5. Financial aid awards are announced in time to be helpful in college planning.
Item 8 which has been a strength in previous surveys emerged as a challenge with this survey
group. New challenges included items 49, 50, 22 and 25.
Response to the Reaffirmation Committee Report
John reported that a plan has been put in place to write the Response Report to the Visiting
Committee, which will address the five recommendations of the committee. The college did
receive notification from the SACS Commission on Colleges that its Monitoring Report
prepared for compliance with Comprehensive Standard 3.12.1 Substantive Change has been
reviewed and that no further reports will be required. The Response Report is due March 17.
Annual Program Review/Planning Hearings
Committee members were told the Program Review/Planning Hearings have been scheduled
for March 26, 27 and 28.
2014 Employee Survey
The biennial Employee Survey will be administered this spring. Committee members received a
copy of the survey statements organized by organizational value subscales as well as the action
plan for administering the survey. The survey will open March 24 and close April 30. The goal
is to encourage 400 employees to complete the survey.
Open Discussion and Announcements
Corye Beene announced that the Social Science Department will be presenting two short
documentaries by filmmaker John Valdez 7 p.m March 4 in the Sundown Room. The topics
include Mexican-Americans in WWII and Chicano identity in the 1960s.
Rob Blair announced that high school SkillsUSA competition will be held on campus Feb. 21-22
with as many as 500 students participating in the career and technical education contests. He
also reported that welding classes have started at the Plainview Center. Enrollment includes 12
high school students, 14 evening students and 5 daytime students. The expanded cosmetology
facilities at Plainview has increased program enrollment to 35 students.
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Dane Dewbre announced that Senior Sneak Preview is scheduled for Feb. 21. Direct mail
postcards have been distributed to all high school seniors in the College’s service area. New
Student Relations is expecting 800 or more students to attend.
Dawn Valles said the Disability Services Office is planning a professional development
opportunity for all faculty and staff that will examine ADA compliance. Susan Mattison, a
private consultant who has worked for the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and
ADA Compliance, will be the workshop presenter. This event is scheduled for September 26, 911 a.m. at the Reese Center.
With no further announcements or business, the meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
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