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Initiative Spotlight Archive
September 2007
Initiative # 15609 - Scanner for Implementation of Electronic Reserves
In Spring 2007 the Budget Advisory Council approved a one-time initiative that has made a significant impact on campus. Initiative # 15609: Scanner for Implementation of Electronic Reserves is proving to be beneficial to all faculty and students.
Across campus professors and instructors assign readings that students must read in order to complete an assignment or project. Faculty usually places the reading material on reserve at the Reserve Desk in Odum Library. According to initiative author Alan Bernstien, “95% of all reserve materials are placed on ‘hard-copy’ reserve requiring students to come into the library to retrieve, read in library, or photocopy the material”.
With the implementation of a Kodak i65 Scanner and the electronic reserve process, faculty can submit their “hard-copy” reserve material and request that it be made available online. Students can then access the material on or off campus by going to Odum Library’s web page. Within a few clicks and using their Blazenet username and password, students can access their instructor’s materials electronically.
Since August there have been 114 individual titles placed on electronic reserve compared to the 900 to 1000 titles on “hard copy” reserve, which indicates that faculty are around 10% usage, but Donna Jones of the Reserve Desk expects to see a dramatic increase as the semester progresses and as more faculty members become aware of and familiar with this new service. Jones assists with the coordination of the electronic service process and hopes more faculty will use the process because it makes obtaining instructor materials easier for students.
For more information on how you can utilize this new campus service please contact Alan Bernstein or Donna Jones by phone at 333-7082 or via e-mail at abernste@valdoata.edu or djones@valdosta.edu.
November 2007
Initiative # 15276 - Outfit Renovated Computer Classroom, Pound Hall 120
Langdale College of Business increased its efficiency this semester with the renovation of Pound Hall 120. In spring 2007, the Budget Advisory Council (BAC) approved initiative number 15276-Outfit Renovated Computer Classroom, Pound Hall 120.
Pound Hall 120 Pre-renovation
The Initiative was submitted by Dean Ralph Allen and Ms. Cheryl Hatcher, Director of the Decision Center. The funding provided by this initiative enabled Langdale College to transition Pound Hall 120 from a hot, cramped classroom with only 24 computers and seats into a spacious facility with modern technology to accommodate 42 students. This transformation allows the college to increase class sizes, meet the learning needs of more students, and better present computer-based instruction.
This contemporary computer classroom also supports the Small Business Development Center’s consulting and training programs. SBDC services promote business and economic development, benefiting a large portion of the Valdosta-Lowndes County community.
Pound Hall 120 Post-renovation
When asked about the planning process, Dean Allen stated that, “The Strategic Planning process performed efficiently and quickly to eliminate a facility problem that was limiting enrollment in required classes, thus delaying student progress toward graduation. The expansion also freed Langdale College faculty to offer other courses needed by our majors. We estimate that the savings in faculty-cost alone from this expanded computer classroom capacity is almost $40,000 a year.
December 2007
Initiative # 16871 - Cultural Diversity Audit
Equal Opportunity Programs and Multicultural Affairs and members of the Diversity Council are currently in the process of performing the first cultural diversity audit in the history of Valdosta State University.
This initiative was submitted by Ms. Maggie Viverette, Director for Equal Opportunity Programs and Multicultural Affairs. The funding, provided by strategic funds approved by the Budget Advisory Council, will allow EOP/MA to provide information regarding the University’s strengths and challenges regarding how VSU, as a whole, addresses diversity among faculty, staff, and the student body. The data reported in the audit will serve as a benchmark as VSU moves forward in becoming a more inclusive community.
The cultural diversity audit data collection started earlier this fall with focus groups and individual interviews and is currently in its final stages with an on-line survey open to faculty, staff, and students. EOP/MA Director Maggie Viverette stated, “We were limited when it came to the number of people we could include in the focus groups and phone interviews, but the online survey allows everyone to have a voice, and hearing what this campus has to say about diversity is the only way we as an institution are going to move forward.”
The survey asks 125 multiple-choice questions about perceptions of diversity on campus and VSU’s strengths and weaknesses in providing a diverse experience. The survey will be available until November 30, 2007. “We need absolutely everyone to participate in the survey of this groundbreaking audit,” Viverette said. “With the information we gather from this survey, we can make great strides in creating a campus that is respectful of community members and values a diverse constituency.”
Once the on-line surveys have been completed, National Multicultural Institute consultants, working with the University, will return to our campus to present the results. The results of the audit will be available to the public in Spring 2008.
January 2008
Initiative #16146-Large Format, Flat Bed Scanner
The Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences Department recently purchased a large format, flat bed scanner with VSU strategic funds. This initiative was entered into the Strategic Planning database by Dr. Edward Chatelain, Department Head for Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences.
The large-format scanner allows members of the Physics, Astronomy, and Geoscience Department to provide support for faculty research from a range of Arts and Science Departments on campus, as well as, provide support for undergraduate research and laboratory work.
With the scanner on campus, VSU can provide a consulting service for local businesses, industries, and government agencies both in the community and the forty-four county service area VSU serves. The scanner was set-up for use in Fall 2007. Dr. Paul Vincent, an associate professor in the Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences department stated, “We have not begun to realize these goals. However, it will only be a matter of time before we begin to benefit from this budget initiative”.
The scanner is being housed in the newly renovated GIS Laboratory located in Nevins Hall room number 2020, which provides ample space and easy accessibility for the University community. Although the scanner is located in the Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences Department, other departments throughout campus are welcome to utilize this new technology.
When thinking about other departments and affiliates of the university, Dr. Vincent stated, “A Valdosta State University affiliate that comes to mind for practical utilization of the larger scanner would be Plant Operations, with the tremendous amount of growth and construction that is currently taking place on campus and the large number of blueprints required for planning”.
Dr. Vincent has agreed to be available for training and supervision of interested parties, and provide scheduled times for VSU faculty and staff to use the equipment as needed or depending on demand. For more information please contact Dr. Paul Vincent by phone at 249-4847 or via e-mail at pvincent@valdosta.edu.
February 2008
Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire: An Intervention and Retention Initiative (#16750)
In Fall 2006, a study was conducted using the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) as part of an initiative created by the Office of Strategic Research and Analysis. This initiative was submitted by Kristina Cragg and was funded by a VSU Faculty Research Grant and Strategic Funds.
The questionnaire was used to measure student adaptation in hopes of finding a way to identify VSU students at a greater risk of leaving the university and to aid in developing intervention strategies to help retain these at-risk students. Previous research has suggested that student decisions to leave involve four elements including academics, social reasons, personal problems, and adjustment to school environment.
Seventy-four freshman from Freshman Experience courses participated in the study. Student characteristics such as gender, age, ethnicity, hometown, residency, high school GPA, class type, enrollment, and first semester GPA were correlated with the four elements previously found to be important. Results indicate that three of four SACQ subscales including academic environment, social environment, and institutional attachment, were found to be significant. In regards to institutional attachment, four items emerged as predictors to identify at-risk students.
Prior to the this study, several programs have been established to increase retention such as Student Assistance Centers, Special Assistance Centers for various departments, the Student Counseling Center, and student access to individual advisors. With the information provided by this study, VSU can more readily identify at-risk students and provide them with the tools and resources that are available to them in order to retain these students and increase retention.