SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE
Institutional Effectiveness Committee
August 24, 2007
9:00 a.m. – Founders Room
MINUTES
Members Present: Phil Anderson, Julie Gerstenberger, Jay Driver, Rafael Aguilera, Ann
Hebisen, Wayne Langehennig, Phyllis Kennon, Patrick Logue, Katheryn Townsend, Kimbra
Quinn, Dane Dewbre, Dennis Chruchwell, Todd Gregg, Beth Glass, Haleigh Ballow, Yancy
Nunez, Marla Cottenoir, Rob Blair, Jim Walker, Dick Walsh, and Stephen John
Members Absent: Lesa Wood, Molly Melton, David Conner, Teresa Salinas, Allison Perrin,
Justin Duffell, Deborrah Caddell, Barbara Walker, Ginger Mulloy, Jack Wardlow.
The Institutional Effectiveness Committee met at 9:00 a.m. August 24, 2007 in the Founders
Room. New members Ann Hebisen, Wayne Langehennig, Phyllis Kennon, Patrick Logue,
Katheryn Townsend, Beth Glass and Todd Gregg were introduced and welcomed to the
committee. The following agenda items were taken up.
Selection of Committee Vice Chairperson
Stephen John, committee chairperson, asked members to consider selecting a vice chairperson
as allowed by the IE Committee’s charter. Following discussion, it was the consensus of
committee members to submit via email nominations for the office. John will solicit
nominations from members and then prepare a ballot that will be mailed to standing members.
Members will be asked to respond the nomination email by Aug. 31.
Status Reports and Action Items from IE Subcommittees: The following subcommittee reports
were given.
Communications Processes Subcommittee: Kimbra Quinn presented the results and analysis
of the Communications Survey that was administered in March. A total of 150 employees
participated in the survey, representing about 25% of the employee base. The subcommittee’s
report identifies strengths and weaknesses in eight communication areas that include the
following: Receiving Information from Others, Sending Information to Others, Follow-up on
Information Sent, Sources of Information, Timeliness of Information Received from Key
Sources, Organizational Communication Relationships, Organizational Outcomes and Channels
of Information. The report includes a gap analysis of all survey sections, percentage responses
to survey statements, and a summary of written comments. The subcommittee identified five
strategies that include the following
Strategy One:
Provide opportunities for employees to provide feedback and input about organizational
decisions.
Strategy Two:
More clearly communicate information about organizational change and how those
organizational changes affect employees.
Strategy Three:
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Provide means for departments to share information laterally about department projects and
decisions that affect other areas.
Strategy Four:
More clearly communicate information with regards to organizational management both at the
departmental and administrative levels
Strategy Five:
Provide a systematic means for improved communication and recognition of staff members as
well as promotion and advancement opportunities.
Additionally the subcommittee identified recommended action items to address the strategies.
These action items will be further defined based on comments received from the Administrative
Council and IE Committee members. Quinn invited committee members to review the
Communications Survey Report and provide any additional ideas within the next two weeks.
The review draft of the report will be finalized and then distributed to SPC employees.
Subcommittee members were applauded for their work on this project.
Supervisor Training Network Subcommittee: Rafael Aguilera reported that Lead SPC will be
piloted this fall with a selected group of 25 to 30 supervisors. The subcommittee is in the
process of finalizing a schedule of HR training and other professional development
opportunities. The group will meet on Sept. 21, Oct. 19 and Nov. 16 at different campus
locations. In response to the Communications Survey, members discussed how LeadSPC can
become the vehicle for internally marketing college programs and services and how it can be
used to strengthen communications channels. Aguilera was asked to have the subcommittee
reconsider the Sept 21 start date because it conflicts with the final day of New Employee
Orientation. The subcommittee will look at other dates to start the training.
2005-06 Performance Report
Stephen John presented the Institutional Effectiveness Performance Report for 2005-06. He said
this report is generally compiled in February, but that performance data from the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (THECB) did not become available until late spring. THECB is in
the process of updating its data systems. John explained how the college measures its
performance through an outcomes-based assessment process. Six factors that are critical to our
success and effectiveness have been identified. They include:
Dynamic Educational Programs and Quality Instruction
Student Outcomes
Quality Student and Support Services
Economic Development and Community Involvement
Effective Leadership and Management
Collaborative Organizational Climate
We have identified 27 measures of institutional effectiveness within the context of the Critical
Success Factors. A total of 67 performance standards or benchmarks have been identified to
measure effectiveness in the six areas that are critical to our success. The IE Performance Report,
in essence, is a “report card” on how well we did during the previous year.
John reported that updated data was available for 50 of the 67 performance benchmarks. Of
these benchmarks, the college met or exceeded the standards on 48 of the measures for an
overall performance rating of 96%. Following discussion of the report, the committee was
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presented with the latest Accountability Report compiled by THECB through the community
college performance system. This report is available online through the Coordinating Board’s
accountability system. Committee members discussed the performance data and the
Coordinating Board’s plans to compare college performance within designated peer groups.
Jack Wardlow has been representing SPC at THECB accountability system review meetings.
John said he would keep the committee informed about this THECB initiative.
IE Committee Planning Report for 2006-07
Committee members were presented the final Institutional Effectiveness Planning Report
(IEPR) for 2006-07 for the IE Committee. The report outlined progress made in accomplishing
the committee’s targeted objectives for 2006-07.
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The IE website was developed and posted. Consideration is now being given to moving
IE materials and resources to MySPC on the website.
The IE Committee finalized the identification of Learning Outcomes for the educational
program of the college. The list of outcomes was presented to the Administrative
Council at its Summer Planning Retreat.
The Graduate Follow-up Survey has been developed and is being piloted with
December 2006 technical graduates. An employer survey is presently under review.
The Communications Survey was developed and administered. Results and analysis is
currently under review.
The IE Committee has recommended the implementation of a supervisor training
network. LeadSPC has been developed and will be piloted in fall 2007.
These accomplishments will form the basis for the 2007-08 IEPR. The committee’s plan and
program of work will be developed and presented at the next meeting. The following objectives
were identified for possible inclusion in the 2007-08 plan at the IE Committee’s meeting on
April 20, 2007.
1. Continue to work with instructional leadership and faculty to develop process and best
practices for assessing student learning outcomes.
2. Complete analysis of Communications Survey results, prepare and distribute report of
findings.
3. Implement LeadSPC Supervisor Training Network
4. Align SPC Annual Performance Report with available THECB accountability data
5. Development and implementation of Graduate Follow-up Process
6. Study Program Planning and Review Process to support development of 2008-2011
Institutional Plan.
7. Study process to conduct a SACS Accreditation Audit during 2008-2009 academic year
2008-2011 Institutional Plan Preparation
A calendar of activities for preparing the 2008-2011 Institutional Plan was also distributed to
members. Among the IE Committee’s activities for gathering data for the plan is the
administration of the Constituent Survey, the Support Services Survey and the Employee
Survey. Members received copies of the Constituent Survey that will be administered in
September to about 750 randomly selected constituents. The Support Services Survey will be
administered in the fall, as well. The Employee Survey will be administered online in the
spring.
New Employee Orientation Day 3
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Dick Walsh provided an outline of NEO Day 3 activities scheduled for Friday, Sept. 21, 2007.
Approximately 43 employees participated in new employee orientation Aug. 15-16. Evaluation
results of the first two days of orientation were very high. Day 3 is a highly interactive session,
and Dr. Walsh encouraged IE Committee members to attend the Discovery and Report Out
activity of the Day 3 activities. At this time, new employees will report what they have
discovered in their examination of the college’s vision and value statements. Volunteers are
needed to assist with the activities and interested committee members should contact Dr.
Walsh.
In closing discussion, Dr. Walsh was recognized and thanked for his 12 years of involvement
and leadership in the New Employee Orientation program. He will be retiring September 30.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
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