Student Equity Steering Committee CALL FOR PROPOSALS Deadline March 26 Overview: LBCC’s Student Equity Plan was submitted to the Chancellor’s Office following Board of Trustees’ approval on December 9, 2014. Student Equity funding is provided to address disproportionate impact among students based on differences in ethnicity, gender, age, disability, income, foster youth, and veterans. The call for proposals is open to all faculty, staff, and administrators to submit projects designed to address the equity gaps in student success that have been identified at LBCC. Please note that this calendar year there will be three calls for proposals: mid-spring, mid-summer, and mid-fall. The Student Success Committee will review the proposals and make recommendations to the Student Equity Steering Committee. The Student Equity Steering Committee will make the final recommendations regarding the allocation of resources for approved projects. Each proposal will be evaluated and ranked using the Proposal Rating Rubric (See Proposal Submission pp. 5-6). Approved projects can begin immediately and can be short-term or multi-year. Proposals are due to Antoinette Summerville (asummerville@lbcc.edu; mail code Y21) in the School of Student Success no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Late proposals will not be considered for this round of proposal funding but will be held for future funding rounds. Please provide both an electronic copy and an original copy with the required signatures. If you have any questions, contact: Karen Rothstein (krothstein@lbcc.edu, ext. 4113) or Shauna Hagemann (shageman@lbcc.edu, ext. 4830) Expectations for Funded Projects: If the proposal is funded, the individuals responsible for the project will be required to collaborate with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to provide data for at least one measurable objective that supports achievement of the equity goal the project is designed to address. Project leaders should make sure that the measure(s) to be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the project activities are identified before the project begins. For projects approved in spring, the expectation is that work actually begin no later than the following fall. A final report (and possibly a mid-term report depending on the length of the project) must be presented to the Student Success Committee. Other requirements may include completing time sheets for personnel and providing job descriptions for positions. Funding Considerations: In general, Student Equity fund expenditures must: Be targeted towards the populations, goals and activities prioritized in the college Student Equity Plan as defined in statute and title 5. Be targeted towards the populations, goals and activities prioritized in the college’s Student Equity Plan. Meet the purpose, and address the target populations and success indicators of Student Equity as defined in statute and title 5. Be necessary and reasonable. Projects will be funded to a maximum of $250,000. As mandated by the Chancellor’s Office, Student Equity Funds may be used for the following: Outreach to potential student groups and communities identified in the equity plan, including targeted publications and outreach materials. Student services and student services categorical programs that directly support improved outcomes on success indicators for target populations prioritized in the Student Equity Plan. Research and evaluation related to improving student equity. 1 Hiring a student equity program coordinator and staff directly supporting and implementing student equity activities. Supporting student equity planning processes. Professional development, including funding of consultants to educate faculty and staff on the effects of inequities; methods for detecting and researching inequities and their effects on college programs and local communities; improving the use of data, and effective practices and methods for addressing and improving outcomes for under-served students. Adapting academic or career related programs and courses to improve student equity outcomes. Providing embedded tutoring, counseling support for learning communities, and other instructional support services that do not generate FTES. In-State travel in support of student equity. Other Direct Student Support including books, miscellaneous supplies and materials for students, student transportation, and child care. Student Equity Funds may not be used for the following: Construction -- Student equity funds may not be used for construction work, remodeling, or renovation. Gifts -- Public funds, including student equity funds, may not be used for gifts or monetary awards of any kind. Stipends for Students -- Funds cannot be used to pay stipends to students for participation in student equity activities. Computers, Office Supplies and Furniture – Purchasing computers, office supplies or furniture (desks, chairs, bookcases, etc.) is not allowed. Other Administrative, Faculty or Staff Salaries and Benefits -- Program funds cannot be used to pay for any staff or administrative overhead costs that do not directly support student equity described in the college’s approved plan, such as budget office staff, business office staff, etc. Political or Professional Dues, Memberships, or Contributions -- Funds cannot be used for these fees or expenses. Rental of Off‐Campus Space -- Use of funds to pay for off‐campus space is not allowed. Legal and Audit Expenses -- Program funds may not be used to pay for legal or audit expenses. Indirect Costs -- Program funds may not be used to pay for indirect costs, such as heat, electricity, or janitorial services. Unrelated Travel Costs -- Program funds may not be used for the cost of travel not directly related to student equity activities or functions. Vehicles -- Program funds may not be used to purchase or lease vehicles Clothing -- Program funds may not be used to purchase clothing such as jackets, sweatshirts, or tee shirts (with the exception of required uniforms for students). Courses -- Program funds may not be used to deliver courses that generate FTES. Unrelated Research -- Institutional research that is not directly related to evaluating or improving student equity outcomes. Supplanting -- Student Equity funding may not be used to supplant general or state categorical (restricted) district funds currently expended on Student Equity activities. Any direct student support provided should supplement, not supplant any services provided to students currently participating in college categorical programs and any other federal, state, and county programs. Background: Governor Jerry Brown and the California State Legislature provided $70 million in the 2014-15 Budget Act to establish the Student Equity program. The program was designed “to ensure equal educational opportunities and to promote student success for all students, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or economic circumstances.” While a requirement has been in place since 1996 that colleges adopt Student Equity Plans, this 2 is the first time that dedicated state resources have been provided to support efforts to achieve the goals reflected in those plans. Together with the doubling of funds for the Student Success and Support Program, this is a valuable investment in the system’s Student Success Initiative to help colleges achieve student success goals for all students. LBCC’s portion of the $70 is approximately $1.5 million. Definitions: Disproportionate Impact – “a condition where access to key resources and support or academic success may be hampered by inequitable practices, policies, and approaches to student support or instructional practices affecting a specific group” (CCCCO Student Equity Plan Template, 2014). Disproportionate impact is present when one subgroup is not performing at the same rate as the comparison subgroup. Please see the Disproportionate Impact Matrix to see the groups who experience disproportionate impact on the Success Indicators. Success Indicators – the five success indicators as identified by the Chancellor’s Office are access, course completion, ESL and basic skills, degrees and certificates, and transfer. Student Equity Goals – The Student Equity Goals were identified by the Student Equity Plan Writing Workgroup. This workgroup, comprised of faculty and staff, researched, discussed, and developed the goals that were submitted to the Chancellor’s Office as part of LBCC’s Student Equity Plan. The plan can be found at: http://www.lbcc.edu/Planning/documents/Student_Equity_Plan_submitted_to_Chancellor_Office_120114.pdf Goal A: Access To ensure equity among LBCC students, LBCC aims to increase access rates to the 80% index for AfricanAmerican/Black and Native American/Alaskan Native students; students 19 or younger and 25 to 39. Goal B: Course Completion To ensure equity among LBCC students, LBCC aims to increase course completion rates to the 80% index for African-American/Black students. Goal C: ESL and Basic Skills To ensure equity among LBCC students, LBCC aims to increase course completion rates to the 80% index for each of the basic skills subject areas: English: African-American/Black and Hispanic students; all student subgroups 25 or older Reading: African-American/Black and White students; male students; students 19 or younger and 40 or older; students with disabilities ESL – Reading: Hispanic, White, and Unknown ethnicity students; all student subgroups 20 or older ESL – Writing: Hispanic and Unknown ethnicity students; all student subgroups 25 or older Math: African-American/Black and Hispanic students; students 40 or older; and students with disabilities Goal D: Degrees and Certificates To ensure equity among LBCC students, LBCC aims to increase degree completion to the 80% index for AfricanAmerican/Black and Hispanic students; students with disabilities. LBCC also aims to increase certificate completion rates to the 80% index for African-American/Black, Hispanic, White, and Unknown ethnicity students; male students; all student subgroups 24 or younger. Goal E: Transfer To ensure equity among LBCC students, LBCC aims to increase transfer rates to the 80% index for AfricanAmerican/Black and Hispanic students; students 40 or older; students with disabilities; economically disadvantaged students. 3 4