SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE
Institutional Effectiveness Committee
April 25, 2008
9:00 a.m. – Founders Room
MINUTES
Members Present: Dr. Deborrah Caddell, Julie Gerstenberger, Barbara Walker, Yancy Nuñez,
Dr. Phil Anderson, Dr. Jay Driver, Dennis Churchwell, Dr. Patrick Logue, Phyllis Kennon,
Mollie McCook-Melton, Teresa Salinas, Marla Cottenoir, Haliegh Ballow, Jim Walker, and
Stephen John
Members Absent: Katheryn Townsend, Wayne Langehennig, David Conner, Rob Blair, Jack
Wardlow, Kimbra Quinn, Allison Perrin, Dane Dewbre, Ginger Mulloy, Todd Gregg, Beth
Glass, Lesa Wood, Ann Hebisen, Rafael Aguilera.
The Institutional Effectiveness Committee met at 9:00 a.m. April 25, 2008 in the Founders Room.
Motion to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2008 meeting was made by Julie
Gerstenberger. Seconded by Patrick Logue. Motion approved by consensus.
The following agenda items were taken up.
Results of Constituent Survey
A preliminary draft of the results of the External Constituent Survey was distributed for review and comment. The survey was distributed to 1,200 constituents and stakeholders and 222 individuals responded to the survey for a return rate of 16.6%. The survey identifies 14 “core processes” central to the college’s mission, role and scope and asks respondents to rate the importance of each of these processes are on a scale of very important to very unimportant.
Additionally, respondents are asked to rate how well the college is performing each process on a scale of excellent to poor. Means are calculated for each process for both importance and performance.
For the purpose of analysis, a minimum benchmark mean of 3.5 was applied to help identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. Means for both importance and performance exceeded the 3.5 benchmark for all 14 core processes. Means for importance exceeded 4.00 for all 14 statements indicating that constituents consider the basic core processes important to very important for SPC to perform.
A gap analysis between the importance and performance means was also calculated as a way to identify institutional strengths and areas for improvement. The analysis identified the following processes as institutional strengths.
Preparation for transfer
Preparation for employment
Technology in the curriculum
Comprehensive curriculum
Accessible education
Upgrade job skills
The following processes were identified as opportunities for improvement.
General education program
Workforce development program
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Respondents were also given the opportunity to respond to three open-ended questions, identifying critical challenges, SPC service to constituents, and general comments. Respondents identified the following as critical challenges they face: recruiting and hiring skilled workers, preparing high school students for college, external social and economic factors and the provision of dual credit programs. When asked what SPC needs to do to better serve you, respondents identified the following: SPC is doing a good job, work on continually improving technical education, expand continuing education program, review and revise curriculum, and dual credit offerings. In the general comment section, a majority of respondents indicated SPC was doing a good job.
Overall, external constituents who participated in this survey see SPC as fulfilling an important role in providing higher educational opportunities. And, they view SPC is doing a good job in achieving its mission and see visible evidence that the college is working to address community needs and improve its programs.
The survey results have been distributed to IE Committee members and to the Administrative
Council for review and comments. Following the comment period, the report will be finalized and emailed to all instructional and administrative leadership.
Status Reports and Action Items from IE Subcommittees: The following subcommittee reports were given.
Supervisor Training Network Subcommittee: Julie Gerstenberger reported that the first session of LeadSPC for the spring went well and was well-attended. The group met March 7 at the Reese Center and participated in a DISC personality profile workshop. Lee Cox also toured the group around the Reese Center Campus. The subcommittee has had a difficult time scheduling other sessions because of campus events and meetings scheduled on Fridays. Two other training sessions are currently being planned and may have to be scheduled in late May and during the summer.
Assessment and Outcomes Subcommittee: Jay Driver called upon Yancy Nunez to provide an update on a learning outcomes workshop that is being planned for early fall semester. Nunez is investigating the possibility of having Dr. Christine Robinson, dean of planning, assessment and quality improvement at Seminole Community College, and Dr. Mia Alexander-Snow, assistant professor, educational research, technology and leadership, at the University of
Central Florida present the workshop. They were key presenters at a conference hosted by the
Community College Consortium for Student Learning Research and spoke about assessing student learning outcomes. He presented a handout of the presentation slides for their presentation. Nunez is hoping to have them come on campus to help departmental chairs and faculty determine the best methods for assessing student learning in particular courses. He also reported that in the Arts and Sciences Division, instructional departments are in the process of developing master syllabi for all courses taught in the department. A master syllabus for a course would identify uniform course objectives that would be agreed upon by faculty teaching that course in the department. In one way, it world define the minimum requirements for the course, allowing faculty the freedom to add other course objectives as they feel are appropriate.
The master syllabus would not address course assessments or the pedagogy of the instruction for the course. He said departments are supposed to have master course syllabi completed by the beginning of the fall semester.
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Nunez also said he, Driver and Gary Poffenbarger will attend SACS Institute for Quality
Enhancement and Accreditation in July.
Planning Processes Subcommittee: John reported that 376 employees have responded to the online Employee Survey. The survey is scheduled to close April 30. Data will be tabulated and an analysis report will be compiled in June with distribution to the Administration Council set for July. The IE Committee will review a draft report in August, with open distribution of the survey results scheduled for early September.
Adjournment
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
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