MT. SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
BUDGET DEVELOPMENT FISCAL 2013-2014
Resource Allocation Proposal
Originato
r:
Program or Department
Name:
Area
Dean:
ADMINISTRATOR USE:
___________________
Michael Plotkin
Life Sciences
Carlos Tovares
Campus:
SJC
Bill Vincent
Area Vice President:
Account Code:
Total Amount Requested:
One Time Funding __X__
10,121
On Going Funding _____
Safety____
What are you requesting? Why is the request being made? Where was the need identified?
We are requesting a lab glassware washer (with 3 bulk tube inserts and 4 utility baskets). We do not currently
possess a functional glassware washer. We use a lot of glassware in BIO 115, BIO 125, BIO 144, BIO 150, BIO 151
and BIO 131. The glassware washer would also be useful for ANAT courses.
We have a number of labs that are glassware intensive, and a many of these labs depend on clean glassware. Even
minor contamination can affect indicator dyes, or cause premature reactions and ruin the experimental results for
students. We have noticed significant issues with some reagents and glassware that appears clean, but is in fact
contaminated. We currently use some disposable glassware to reduce such unintended reactions during lab
activities. We currently have only one Instructional Aide and she is unable to wash all of the glassware we use by
hand. A glassware washer would allow us to have clean glassware for all of our labs, and free our Instructional Aide
for other important activities.
Demonstrate how your request is supported by your Program Review/Annual Program Assessment:
Section I
Our Annual Program Assessment notes that as the budget concerns abate, we will be increasing the variety of
classes we offer. Some of these depend heavily on lab glassware, including marine biology, plant biology,
biotechnology, ecology, human biology and topics in biology. In addition, we note that we are exploring
innovative curricula, especially for STEM courses, and these will include, as noted in our APA, a collaboration
with the Genetics Education Program at Washington University. As part of this program, our students will
conduct research that will be used in publications through Washington University, and so the quality of our
lab equipment and glassware directly impacts our ability to participate in this program. Our last program
review noted (Topic 0.1) that we, "have a new Biotech program and have cleaned out an enclosed are in the
prep room for a dedicated biotech space." This space houses our biotechnology equipment, is a clean space
for conducting lab activities that are subject to contamination, and will separate delicate equipment from
general use where it might be damaged. Since much of the lab activities related to biotechnology and genetics
use glassware in great quantities, and contaminated glassware will adversely affect the quality of our results,
the quality of our labs and the quality of our program. Moreover, it adversely affects our classes and program
if the Instructional Aide is burdened with huge amounts of glassware washing. We have tried workstudy
students in the past, but are not always able to obtain these, and even when we do, the quality of the work is
uneven. It may be that hand washing, especially by untrained lab assistants obtained through workstudy, is
not adequate to clean glassware. The glassware washer is designed to do so, and is highly effective. We also
noted (Topic 0.2) that we have specific equipment needs to support our program. A glassware washer is not
explicitly mentioned in the examples given, but since we have received other items through resource
allocation (a freezer, and microscopes), the glassware washer is now a top priority.
The glassware washer would directly support our Goal #3 for improvement of the program in our program
review: "Expand and enhance science curriculum and programs for better support of student learning,
retention and transfer." Our first objective under Goal #3 is: "Develop new curriculum in organismal and
cell/molecular, including a biotechnology program." Clean, usable glassware is essential for this goal and
objective. Our Goal #4 is: "Expand instructional equipment" and objective number 2 under this goal is
"Purchase molecular biology equipment..." While we did not specifically mention a glassware washer, it
certainly qualifies as molecular biology equipment.
Our DLOs 1 (The student will apply scientific methods of inquiry in problem solving including relationships
between science and human activities) 3 (The student will evaluate the fundamental role of chemistry in
biology) and 6 (The student will be able to apply the concepts of genetics and information flow to inheritance
in biological systems) all depend on high quality labs involving glassware (PCR, gel electrophoresis,
transformation of bacteria, etc.) We have been moving towards having students design their own
experiments for a variety of lab topics. We also support independent student research both for honors and for
our STEM majors classes. These activities would not be possible without adequate and dependably clean
glassware. We have an excellent set of expensive glassware, but must maintain it for it to be of value to
students.
Section I
Demonstrate how your request is supported by your Unit Plan and Division Plan (link to Unit/Division Plans
2011-2012)
The Unit/Division plan for SJC notes that we have the opportunity for new program development, in
particular, biotech. The plan also notes that one challenge is understaffing. A glassware washer would both
augment the functioning and maintenance of a biotech program (and biotechnology activities in other
classes) and relieve the strain on current staff. The plan specifically notes the high maintenance cost of the
life science equipment due to aging infrastructure. A glassware washer would reduce some strain on
available plumbing and space in our prep area by allowing a high volume of glassware to be washed
correctly in a small space. This would in addition save water.
Section I
Demonstrate how your request is supported by your CLO/DLO/PL0/AUO/SLO:
Our request is supported by the following DLOs:
DLO 1 (The student will apply scientific methods of inquiry in problem solving including relationships between
science and human activities)
DLO 3 (The student will evaluate the fundamental role of chemistry in biology) and
DLO 6 (The student will be able to apply the concepts of genetics and information flow to inheritance in
biological systems)
All depend on high quality labs involving glassware, in many cases lots of glassware. Some of our labs have 8
lab groups and each group uses over 30 test tubes in a single lab period. These labs would not be possible
without the glassware, and the glassware needs to be cleaned for each section of the course.
Our request is supported by the CLOs for our largest course, BIOL-115
SLO 1: The student will demonstrate proficiency in using lab equipment.
SLO 2: The student will collect data and test hypotheses.
SLO 3: The student will solve basic genetics problems.
All of these support our request. SLO1 directly addresses the use of glassware in lab activities. SLO2 and 3
depend on the availability of uncontaminated, clean glassware.
Describe how your request is aligned with one or more of the following Institutional Priorities: (link to SP)
Student Success
Section II
STEM students would be a key beneficiary of high quality labs at MSJC. These students are hungry to learn
current methods and lab techniques to help them obtain internships or jobs doing research and to facilitate
entrance into 4 year programs and graduate programs (medical school, graduate school in life science). For
MSJC to maintain a high quality biology lab program, we need to be able to offer students the opportunity to
learn these techniques and to complete lab activities in genetics, genetic engineering, biotechnology,
forensics, etc. We currently have a high quality program, and we attract students from many places, often
from far away with the expectation that the program will be excellent. If we lose the ability to consistently
provide high quality lab experiences due to inadequate equipment, we will lose students and our reputation
will suffer.
In addition, unlike most colleges and universities (and even other campuses of this institution), we require our
majors students to conduct individual research. Allowing them the opportunity to use lab techniques in their
research (which depends on us being able to provide adequate lab equipment), gives our students a huge
head start relative to their colleagues who begin at a UC or CSU or other community college where this
opportunity is not offered. This engages our students, provides excellent resume entries, and invaluable
experience in life science.
Fiscally Sound Position:
We currently have a 4.22 million dollar STEM grant, and we had a previous STEM grant as well. These grants
allowed us to create a biotechnology program and to expand our majors life science programs significantly. To
maintain the programs we have created, we need to maintain a diverse and complex set of lab activities.
Glassware is an essential component to maintain the lab activities we currently offer and to expand our lab
activities in the future. An excellent biology and biotechnology lab program will allow us to pursue further
STEM grants and to create additional programs in the future. The glassware washer would save the life
science program money in our departmental budget, as well, as relieve the strain on our overworked
instructional aides.
Systematic Planning and Assessment:
The glassware washer directly supports all CLOs for BIO 131, 132 and 133, which will all be assessed. The
washer also supports significant parts of BIO 150, which, was assessed for baseline data last semester, and will
be a part of intensive CLO assessment in the coming semesters. In particular, we will eventually be assessing
new CLOs focusing on lab techniques.
n II
tio
Sec
Institutional Pride and Organizational Culture:
We have an excellent life sciences program at MSJC. We have been praised by faculty at UCR who teach
equivalent courses for the range and depth of our curriculum and Ian Wheeldon who has accepted our
students for work in his lab and found them excellently prepared. We do an extra 3 hours of lab a week over
comparable courses at UCR for STEM majors (and we have significantly more weeks in a year of instruction).
This give us the opportunity to do a series of labs that are not done at UCR (or in equivalent classes at other
colleges and universities). We also promote individual research by our majors level students. Both of these
features make our life science program outstanding among the other institutions in our region, and state.
STEM students maintain an impressive sense of community and esprit de corps. We seek to maintain this by
keeping our programs excellent and promoting the opportunities for research for our majors students.
Community Partnerships and Service
Our excellent life science program is well respected in the community. I have met with faculty from UC
Riverside, where a significant number of our students matriculate, and where some of our students apply for
internships in labs, and have confirmed that our students are highly regarded and are uncommonly successful
at the university. In addition, the faculty at UC Riverside who teach the equivalent courses to our majors level
life science courses praised our program, in particular the sophisticated molecular biology experience we
provide.
We have partnerships with several high schools in the region who send us students both as concurrent
enrollees and as recent graduates. Our biotechnology and life science programs are well respected by the high
schools.
The Education Master Plan Supplement notes that, "Anatomy and biology labs have produced numerous
researchers and physicians..." Many of these alumni have remained in the region.
Describe how your request will support one or more of the 12 Institutional Goals in the Strategic Plan
(Strategic Plan)
Our request is supported by the following Institutional Goals from the Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Improve course completion rates
The class community is particularly important in labs, where students work in teams. Having adequate lab
equipment supports this goal, and in addition, having Instructional Aide support for labs improves the
outcome and increases student engagement and completion.
Goal 3: Integrate learning, engagement, access, and teaching initiatives that support student academic
growth.
We are working on our labs, especially for the STEM majors classes. We will be designing student centered
labs for which adequate lab equipment will be necessary.
Goal 4: Intensify the pursuit of grants, contracts, and other income streams
Section III
Excellent lab supplies will allow us to continue to apply for partnerships and grants with other programs. We
have received funding form the Genetics Education Program at Washington University to have our students
produce data (using our lab equipment) that will then be used in scientific research. Student participation in
this research requires high quality lab equipment (and a way to maintain it, by keeping it free of
contamination).
Goal 5: Become a greener campus at all four learning sites.
A glassware washer will undoubtedly save water and electricity by increasing our efficiency over hand
washing. It will also allow us to reuse some supplies we cannot reuse now.
Goal 10: Increase the College’s visibility, value, and recognition in our service area.
Goal 11: Intensify our reputation as a leader and important partner in all communities that we serve.
Goal 12: Enhance our interaction between MSJC faculty and staff and the faculty and staff from area middle
schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.
We promote an extensive independent research program among our STEM students. In addition, we have
initiated a long term collaboration with a lab at UCR to take our students as interns for research experience.
We also participate in a variety of collaborative activities with UCR and with local high schools. The ability to
run our labs more smoothly, and to expand the labs, especially as the number of classes we offer increases,
critically depends on such support technology as a high quality glassware washer.
on III
Secti
Demonstrate how your project goals are supported by any of the following plans (2009-16 Educational Master
Plan, Distance Education Plan, Technology Plan and/or the Facilities Master Plan):
The Ed Master Plan says, "The college is considering a Biotechnology program in response to the influx of
biotechnology firms into the surrounding communities." This program has in fact come to pass. We now need
to support this program. A glassware washer would help us meet these goals.
Describe your goal(s) for this proposal? How will this impact students or institutional services?
Our goal is to obtain a lab glassware washer with inserts for tubes and utility baskets. This will allow the
thorough cleaning of excellent glassware collection. Obtaining this glassware washer will impact students in
four ways:
1) It will allow us to maintain an excellent cell and molecular biology program, including a biotechnology
program at MSJC. Without the glassware washer, our lab activities are less likely to yield positive results.
Section III
2) It will save money by allowing us to reuse glassware and by relieving the Instructional Aide to do other
important jobs. This will give us more money to spend on other items we can use in biology classes, and more
IA time for improving labs, both of which directly benefit students.
3) It will allow us to expand the range and diversity of lab activities we conduct by allowing us to provide
clean, uncontaminated glassware for labs.
4) It will support individual student research by allowing students to do self directed investigations as part of
their individual research requirement in the majors and biotechnology class.
5) It will directly support our participation in larger research programs such as with UCR, and with the
Genetics Education Program at Washington University.
What are your measureable outcomes that will lead to you meeting your goal(s)? Provide how your outcomes
are tied to your CLO/DLO/PLO/AUO/SLO
Section IV
We have, as indicated in Section I, a number of CLOs that specifically address lab activities. These would be
directly supported by our request, and would be assessed, as in the past, with lab practicals. DLO1 and 3
would be assessable as well in relation to lab equipment.
Section V
What are the steps that you will take or need to be taken to implement this proposal? Demonstrate the
following:
• (a) Who is in charge of implementing the project?
• (b) What are the projected start and end dates?
• (c) What other departments will need to assist with the acquisition/ implementation of the project?
• (d) When will the outcomes be measured?
• (e) How will you measure the desired outcomes?
(a) Michael Plotkin would be in charge of implementing the project.
(b) This is a one time funding request. If granted, the washer would be purchased, installed and the
project would be over.
(c) None.
(d) As soon as the washer has been in service for a few weeks during labs that require significant
glassware.
(e) Interviews with Instructional Aides, assessment of outcomes of lab activities that have been subject
to contamination in the past.
Projected Expense Profile
New Personnel Request--This does not include Full Time Academic Faculty Positions.
For personnel requests please attach the job description, job classification and label "Exhibit I."
Position Title:______________________________________
1XXX
Academic Salaries (Certificated)
3XXX
Benefits
Estimated Cost
Position Title:______________________________________
1XXX
Academic Salaries (Certificated)
3XXX
Benefits
Estimated Cost
Position Title:____________________________________________________
10, 11 or 12 Months
2XXX
Classified/Non Academic Salaries
3XXX
Benefits
Hours per Week_____
Position Title:____________________________________________________
10, 11 or 12 Months
2XXX
Classified/Non Academic Salaries
3XXX
Benefits
Hours per Week_____
Sub Total:
Non Personnel Requests:
Object
Code
Title
4XXX
Supplies and Materials
Amount
Requested
5XXX
Services
6XXX
New Equipment or Building/Site Improvements
0401
EF1021C Steam Scrubber Glassware Washer with high heat option
7885
EF1027S Bulk Tube Insert x3 @ $500
1500
EF1027N Utensil Insert x4 @ $184
736
Sub Total:
Total Budget Proposal:
10121-
10121
Secondary Effects (if this proposal is approved)
For Personnel Requests:
What additional space, if any, is needed to accommodate this position? If so, where is the proposed location?
For Equipment and Technology Request
Will additional space be needed to accommodate requested equipment? If so where is the proposed location?
Our prep room area can accommodate this piece of equipment.
Will requested equipment require maintenance agreements and or support personnel? If so what are the
projected costs?
No. The unit should last years with only minimal maintenance and requires no specialized knowledge to
operate.
Please list future year anticipated needs and estimated financial needs. NOTE: This section refers to any
anticipated funding not addressed by this RAP, but required in the future. This will not be automatically
funded. A new RAP must be completed in future years.
Fiscal
Estimated
Anticipated Need
Year
Amount
2014-2015
Unknown
Instructional Aide support
2014-2015
Dean Approval
Wifi in the 1250 building
Date
Vice President Approval
~$500.00
Date