College Update

From: Sanford Shugart
To: All Faculty and Staff
Date: 02/26/03 10:34 AM
Subject: College Update 02-26-03

1. Re-design of student services. I am pleased to inform you that we will be implementing the Re-design of Educational Services model during the summer and fall. You may remember that the funding for this and other strategic budget initiatives was approved as part of the College Budget for 2002-03.This model evolved from discussions among Student Services staff, faculty, and students over a two year period on more effective ways to serve students using the new capabilities of the Atlas and LifeMap tools. We wanted to minimize the number of steps (and offices) that students have to take to complete the various processes (application, assessment, financial aid, orientation, fee payment, registration) required to enroll. This new re-design will remove barriers to learning by:

• Streamlining the process of admissions and enrollment;Creating cross-functional positions to break down current silos of information and student services;Introducing students to the Core Competencies, LifeMap, Atlas, and My LifeMap planning tools;Expanding assessment by adding additional career and learning assessments and providing more immediate interpretation of results;

• Creating ongoing feedback systems to students with student progress and performance indicators to help ensure that learning is supported through continuous improvement plans (such as career and educational plans for all degree-seeking students, assigned personal advisors, extended orientation, and financial plans for education.)

The redesign encompasses all areas of student services and creates a new flow for students and staff. Atlas tools will enable staff to better identify students encountering problems and to advise and assist them in getting back on track.These changes will require some significant staffing changes, including redesigned and reclassified positions, and some new positions, both of which have already been budgeted. The re-classifications were based on a review by Cody and Associates and approval of the Executive Council. Advertising for the new positions will be conducted internally. Additional training will be provided for those in new and re-classified positions.Campus forums on this new Re-design model were conducted last week. Mike Hooks will be sending an e-mail shortly announcing the application process and the new positions that are being advertised. Please contact Mike Hooks, Joyce Romano, or the Dean of Students on your campus for more detailed information.

2. SACS - This email is already long enough, so I'll share information on SACS next week....

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