|
Southeast Arkansas College |
Chapter
Eight |
|
1999-2000
NCA Self-Study for |
During October of 1999, various constituents of the College including administration, faculty, and staff; General Advisory Council and Program Advisory Committees composed of community leaders; Board of Trustees members; and selected student leaders completed a comprehensive self-study questionnaire. There were 108 respondents to the survey. The following survey results pertained to the College's integrity.
| 82% | believe the College demonstrates integrity in its practices and relationships. (7%-No, 10%-Uncertain) |
| 78% | believe the College effectively addresses cultural diversity within its student, employee and community relationships. (12%-No, 10%-Uncertain) |
| 90% | believe the College is financially and educationally accountable in its operations. (1%-No, 9%-Uncertain) |
| 77% | believe the College conducts its relationships with other institutions ethically and responsibly. (1%-No, 22%-Uncertain) |
| 84% | believe the College's publications, statements, and advertising describe accurately and fairly the institution, its operations, and its programs. (6%-No, 9%-Uncertain) |
| 90% | believe the College exhibits a value system that recognizes the needs of both traditional and non-traditional students. (7%-No, 3%-Uncertain) |
| 89% | believe the College exhibits an appropriate attitude of openness, cooperation, and service to its constituents. (2%-No, 9%-Uncertain) |
Based upon these results and follow-up deliberations within the College, the faculty and staff focused the self-study process on highlighting accomplishments, resolving apparent inconsistencies, and acknowledging areas for improvement. The Criterion Committee concentrated its efforts on the examination of adopted and published policies and procedures, and their fulfillment in established practices, to determine a measure of institutional integrity. Creating action plans to solve any identified challenges facing Southeast Arkansas College became the final emphasis of the self-study.
Southeast Arkansas College strives to adhere both to civil law and to the code of ethics commonly accepted by the academic community. The College Values, which accompany the statements of Philosophy, Mission, and Purposes, guide the College in this endeavor. The College publishes these Value statements in many institutional documents including the 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook. The College is commended for developing a set of Values as an ethical statement to guide its actions in pursuit of its Mission.
Student-Related Integrity Assurances
The College emphasizes several policies and procedures regarding the ethical conduct of its students. These policies are published in the 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook. Many of these policies are repeated in most standardized course syllabi. Southeast Arkansas College is committed to policies and practices of equality and access for all students. The College's statement of equal opportunity/affirmative action is found in the 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook. Assurances of the College's integrity are found in the 2000-2001 College Catalog and Student Handbook under such headings as: Satisfactory Academic Progress; Standards of Conduct (including academic dishonesty); Academic Appeals (including Grade Petitioning); Procedural Due Process; and penalties for Deception, Fraud, and Misuse of Documents are detailed in the Student Handbook.
Procedural Due Process for Students
The College is committed to the resolution of all student disputes involving the Institution. The Procedural Due Process for Disciplinary Action guidelines are found in the 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook. This procedure follows a chain of command through which student grievances are made known. Every effort is made to resolve conflicts at the lowest levels of this chain.
The College's student organizations are described in the 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook. Faculty Advisors, both as sponsors or through committee assignment, advise and guide these groups. The College's guidelines concerning student organizations require the completion of Individual Student Liability forms for any student-organization sponsored trip. This release from College liability is filed with the President's office before any trip. The Vice President for Finance and Administration must approve all fundraisers. The Vice President for Student Services and Registrar or the Executive Assistant to the President must approve student organization publications (news articles, posters, flyers, etc.). The Student Senate Sponsor(s) maintains a calendar of student organization events.
Each organization generates its own financial resources through fundraisers. These funds are held in local bank accounts that require the signature of the organization's president or treasurer and Faculty Advisor for release. Each organization maintains minutes housed by the Faculty Advisor. The College stresses the importance of the democratic process, official documentation of all actions, and proper fiscal stewardship with all student organizations. Such appropriate conduct of student organizations reflects the College's integrity.
Student Enrollment and Satisfaction
The enhancement of the College's organizational climate, led by the efforts of the faculty and staff, fosters a student-centered atmosphere. By placing the needs of individual students first, the College has built a strong repeat customer base. Current students refer their families, friends, and co-workers to Southeast Arkansas College, thus expanding the College's reach into its service area. Contrary to traditional higher education enrollment patterns, Southeast Arkansas College continually sees increases in student enrollment from the fall to spring semesters. This pattern indicates a high percentage of returning students in addition to first-time enrolling students.
The College uses a variety of surveys to determine customer satisfaction. Current students, withdrawing students, graduates, and employers of graduates complete satisfaction surveys. Warranted improvements are incorporated into the Systematic Planning for the Future planning process. All students have the opportunity to evaluate their instructors each semester. The results from these measurements determine areas of professional development for the faculty as a whole and/or for individual instructors.
Southeast Arkansas College is an open-access institution. The application/admission procedures, published in the College Catalog and Student Handbook, are applied in the same manner to all applicants. The College provides access to a quality college education at a reasonable cost for all individuals within its service area. In keeping with this initiative, the College offers affordable tuition at $33.00 per credit hour, the lowest rate for any public or private college or university in Arkansas. The low tuition, availability of financial aid, and employer funded training have allowed some students access to an education who might otherwise not have had the opportunity.
Accessibility issues arise for students who are employed, commute, or who have not obtained a high school diploma. The College endeavors to resolve these issues by offering many scheduling alternatives: day, evening, Friday only, or Saturday only on-campus courses. Southeast Arkansas College also offers courses on the campus of Great Rivers Technical Institute in McGehee, Arkansas, reaching further into the southeastern segment of the service area. Commuting students have the opportunity to learn at a distance through the College's telecourses, Internet courses, and Compressed Interactive Video course delivery. The College's on-campus Adult Education Program makes it possible for individuals to receive their General Education Diploma (GED) and therefore satisfy the College's entrance requirements.
Southeast Arkansas College is committed to a policy of equity for all students and employees. The College's position statements regarding equal opportunity/affirmative action, sexual harassment, and being a drug-free campus and workplace are found in the 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook. Also in this section of the Catalog, the College states its compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The College Catalog and Student Handbook provides information to assist students with special needs/disabilities. To the greatest extent possible, the students are mainstreamed into student life. Construction of new facilities strictly adheres to ADA standards. The College Catalog and Student Handbook outlines the procedures for resolving non-academic disputes. Currently there are no complaints of sexual harassment, impediments to accessibility/equity, or Civil Rights infractions filed with the EEO Officer.
The College strives to attract both employees and students who reflect the diverse population in Southeast Arkansas. The College has been successful in meeting its affirmative action goals as established by Administrative Bulletin #9 published in the 2000-2002 Southeast Arkansas College Faculty and Staff Handbook and Administrative Bulletins. Thirty-six percent (36%) of the population residing in the College's service area are minority. The College exceeded its goal of student enrollment approximating the service area's minority population. In the fall of 1998, 38% of the student body were minority. In the spring of 1999, the number of non-white students had risen to 42%. According to the 1998-1999 IPEDS Completions Survey, 44% of the College's graduates were minority.
The College has achieved, to a lesser degree, success in a similar goal in the recruitment of faculty. In the fall of 1999, 32% of the total faculty were minority. In considering all full-time employees, 28% were minority. Recruitment of minority faculty, staff, and students continues to be a priority with College leadership. The Institution is commended for building a culturally diverse educational community, representative of its service area.
Evaluation of Faculty is specified in the Faculty and Staff Handbook. All faculty members are evaluated each semester by their students and annually by the administration.
Employee Grievance Policy and Procedures
Employees are encouraged to address their concerns and/or complaints to their immediate supervisor. If a resolution is not found, the employee may file a grievance in compliance with the grievance policy published in the Faculty and Staff Handbook. The College's written policy for Dismissal of Faculty (Reduction in Force) is outlined in the Faculty and Staff Handbook as well as in the faculty member's annual Letter of Appointment. The policy does not provide for a peer hearing, probationary period, or the development of an action plan for improvement prior to dismissal.
The 1995 NCA Self-Study for initial accreditation suggested the development and publication of a College Policies and Procedures Manual. The 1995 Self-Study also suggested that the Faculty and Staff Handbook contain the sexual harassment policy as stated in the College By-Laws. This goal was accomplished by including the Board of Trustees policies in the Faculty and Staff Handbook. However, the need for a comprehensive document detailing the College's policies, practices, and procedures continues. It is recommended that the College develop and distribute to all employees a Policies and Procedures Manual and that the Faculty/Staff Handbook be updated to include the College's due process procedures available to an employee facing dismissal. Research and publication are neither required nor evaluated tasks of College faculty members; therefore, issues surrounding integrity of research are not explicitly addressed.
Publications and Dissemination of Information
The College upholds its character through public and open statements. Institutional information is disseminated through publications (newspaper, promotional brochures, catalogs, handbooks, etc.), television and radio announcements, and billboards. This dispersal of information targets varied audiences, from college employees to the public at large. Integrity issues (consistency of stated policy with stated goals, openness) are relevant to all forms of information dissemination and are continually confirmed in the preparation of all communiqués.
Southeast Arkansas College's statements of philosophy and goals are consistent with policy and procedure. The College's major publications (College Catalog and Student Handbook, the Faculty and Staff Handbook, the Advisory Council and Committee Handbook, Systematic Planning for the Future: Goals and Objectives, and the College Assessment Plan) contain statements of the Institution's Mission, Philosophy, and Purposes. These publications also contain statements of policy and procedure, where appropriate. The Faculty and Staff Handbook specifically delineates the College's policies and procedures.
Course syllabi and the College Catalog containing approved degree and certificate programs are significant institutional publications. Through a concerted effort over the past two years, the College undertook an initiative to create standardized course syllabi. This project is complete for the majority of the courses described in the College Catalog and Student Handbook. As a matter of principle, all students deserve the same quality of educational experience whether full-time or adjunct faculty members instruct the course. Integrity demands consistency in course titles, course descriptions, and the actual content of instruction for all instructors of that course. The course syllabi reflect the learning goals and objectives for each course and are a direct outgrowth of day-by-day instructional plans and practices. The deployment of a standardized curriculum as detailed in the syllabi and College Catalog and Student Handbook guarantees the integrity of the curriculum and, therefore, the academic experience.
Future initiatives and proposed policies and procedures must also reflect the College's Mission, Purposes, and Philosophy to sustain the College's level of integrity. College plans for advancement are clearly set forth in Systematic Planning for the Future: Goals and Objectives for 1999-2000 and Long Range Strategic Themes for 1999-2002. These plans reveal consistency with, and a direct link to, the stated Mission, Philosophy, and Purposes of the College.
Criteria for assessing student academic achievement and institutional effectiveness are linked to the fulfillment of the College's Mission and Purposes. The criteria and assessment processes are set forth in the Southeast Arkansas College Assessment Plan. Examination of this document reveals consistency between assessment criteria and the College's stated Mission and Purposes.
The faculty and staff responses to the Criterion for Accreditation Survey completed in January of 2000, indicated the employees' lack of unanimity in the connection between assessment and strategic planning.
|
67% |
of the respondents believe the College has "Structured assessment processes that are continuous, that involve a variety of institutional constituencies, and that provide meaningful and useful information to the planning processes as well as to students, faculty, and administration." (13%-No, 10%-Uncertain) |
In order to facilitate honest and open communication the College library maintains copies of all meetings of the Board of Trustees, councils, committees, and senates available for review by students, employees, and the public. A formal policy mandating the continual collection and shelving of these institutional records does not exist. It is recommended that a method be developed to ensure that copies of minutes of all councils, committees, and senates and other pertinent reports be placed in the College Library for public access, while protecting individual privacy as warranted.
Employee Satisfaction and Well Being
The 1999-2000 NCA Self-Study gathered data concerning aspects of employee satisfaction and well being: employee participation in institutional processes, empowerment, authority commensurate with responsibility, and autonomy. Southeast Arkansas College has published statements regarding its commitment to the satisfaction and well being of its employees. The Statement of Values contained in the 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook and the Systematic Planning for the Future refer to the College's emphasis on employee satisfaction.
In February 2000, an NCA Self-Study Criterion II subcommittee conducted a survey concerning employee workload. The survey results are one indicator of the level of employee satisfaction with the work environment. Thirty-five (35) full-time employees responded. Results indicated that:
| 54% | believe "My workload is such that what could be a pleasant job is made unpleasant." |
| 63% | believe "My workload is so heavy that the quality of my work suffers." |
The results of the Division Strengths and Challenges Questionnaire conducted in January of 2000 also revealed issues concerning job satisfaction. Perceived challenges expressed by employees included teaching loads, lack of adequate instructional preparation time, an exclusionary budgeting process, and the failure of the College to address previous survey results. The self-study committee suggests that incongruities between statements in College publications regarding these issues and their actual deployment in practice be studied further.
The 1999 Arkansas Quality Award Feedback Report notes the absence of employee satisfaction data. The absence of performance measures for environmental factors that affect employee satisfaction and information on how the College assesses employee well-being and satisfaction led the AQA evaluators to conclude: "the applicant (Southeast Arkansas College) does not have data on levels or trends based upon employee satisfaction survey results; . . . therefore, it is not possible to assess whether improvement is occurring, the rate of trends or the overall employee well-being, satisfaction and development." It is recommended that a plan be devised for the development, implementation, and oversight of a system to determine employee satisfaction.
The College employs a committee structure (see Criterion II: Human Resources Section of the 1999-2000 NCA Self-Study Report) as the decision-making authority with final approval resting with the President and the Board of Trustees. According to Institutional publications, the goal of the council, committee, and senate structure is to enhance the decision-making process by providing a forum for two-way communication and input. The committee and council composition provides opportunities for faculty and staff participation, yet this group's ability to play a direct and meaningful role in the planning process limits the employee's authority to create and sustain institutional improvements.
The councils, committees, and senates are designed to support the College's organizational structure by assisting the administration to make and implement decisions. Data garnered from the 1999 Arkansas Quality Award Feedback report and the faculty and staff responses to the Criteria for Accreditation Survey completed in January of 2000 appear to conflict with this adopted statement of process and intent. Results indicate that:
| 66% | believe the College employs "Decision-making processes that are appropriate to its stated Mission and Purposes." (12%-No, 22%-Uncertain) |
| 68% | believe the College has "Effective administration through well-defined and understood organizational structures, policies, and procedures." (24%-No, 8%-Uncertain) |
| 55% | believe that the College employs "Systems of governance that provide dependable information to the Institution's constituencies and, as appropriate, involve them in the decision-making processes." (19%-No, 26%-Uncertain) |
| 67% | believe that the College has "Decision-making processes with tested capability of responding effectively to anticipated and unanticipated challenges to the Institution." (13%-No, 20%-Uncertain) |
Many of the faculty and staff appear unclear of their role in the decision-making process. It is recommended that the College further study the committee, council, and senate composition, duties, and authority.
The Council, Committee, and Senate Handbook states the authority for and an outline of the Faculty Senate functions. The functions of the Faculty Senate are:
The 1999-2000 NCA Self-Study review of policy and actual practice revealed discordance between adopted and published Faculty Senate guidelines and the performance of its functions. The Faculty Senate is unable to call meetings of all full-time faculty members. The Faculty Senate administrative resource person is required to attend all meetings of the Senate. Institutional policies affecting the faculty have been adopted without Senate review. These practices prevent the Senate from carrying out its defined functions. To resolve these disparities, it is recommended that the Faculty Senate guidelines be revised to define the Senate's authority and powers in matters relating to the calling of faculty meetings, review and comment on proposed policies affecting faculty, and to facilitate communication between administration and faculty.
The College, as supported by statements in the College Catalog and Student Handbook and the Faculty and Staff Handbook, recognizes the importance of a positive work environment as a motivational tool. The salary guide published in the Faculty and Staff Handbook serves as an incentive for exceptional or meritorious individual and team performance. The Meritorious Performance section of the Faculty and Staff Handbook outlines the provisions for a merit pay pool for non-classified employees. This plan developed in 1995-1996 was not implemented. As noted in the 1999 Arkansas Quality Award Feedback Report "the applicant (Southeast Arkansas College) has not fully developed mechanisms to motivate employees to develop and utilize their full potential. Without these mechanisms, it is unclear how managers and supervisors provide support to employees in developing career objectives necessary for alignment with organizational objectives, compensation and recognition." The AQA Report also states that "Southeast Arkansas (College) has not fully deployed a process to reinforce high performance." The State of Arkansas instituted a merit pay plan for classified employees in the spring of 2000. The College has not formulated a comparable plan for non-classified employees. It is recommended that an ad hoc committee be formed, with equitable representation of all affected employee groups, to develop recommendations for a merit pay system.
Relationships with Other Institutions and Agencies
The College works with other institutions of higher education to articulate the transfer of college credit. To standardize this process, the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopted guidelines in 1990 establishing a State Minimum Core Curriculum. The articulation agreement guarantees that courses within the College's approved core shall apply toward the general education requirements for baccalaureate degrees at state-supported institutions and shall be fully transferable between state institutions. The AHECB approved the 35-hour state minimum core-curriculum for Southeast Arkansas College in February of 1995 for immediate implementation. In February of 2000, the AHECB endorsed the College's latest additions to its core. Southeast Arkansas College has completed separate articulation agreements with several colleges and universities, which specify the transferability of College courses beyond the state minimum core curriculum. Southeast Arkansas College continues to pursue articulation agreements to include academic transfer and technical courses with all state-supported institutions, especially the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Southeast Arkansas College collaborates with: the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, the Temporary Employment Assistance Coalition of Jefferson County (TEA), the United Way, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Area Health Education Center, as well as the public school districts and various community service organizations within the service area. The College spearheaded a partnership with Great Rivers Technical Institute and the Arkansas River Educational Service Cooperative in a grant awarded by the Arkansas Department of Information Services. The project provided grant funds to each institution to make technological improvements at each site. Southeast Arkansas College served as the lead organization and fiscal agent of the grant funds. Exceptional collaborative relationships exist between Southeast Arkansas College and other institutions, agencies, and organizations. The College continues to recognize its commitment to high standards, which extends to its treatment of contractual relationships with external organizations.
Contracted Agreements and Affiliations
The College's commitment to high standards extends to its treatment of contractual relationships with external organizations. The College has entered numerous contractual agreements covering supply and physical plant support, educational programs, and clinical affiliations. At present the College is affiliated with fourteen nursing and allied health entities, each accredited by their respective accrediting agency and approved for the College's use by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The College has entered into memorandums of understanding with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Health Related Professions, (UAMS-CHRP); UAMS Area Health Education Center, and Jefferson Regional Medical Center to offer pre-professional curricula in a variety of Nursing and Allied Health programs. The College has established on-going clinical affiliation agreements with hospitals and area health care agencies to provide clinical site training for Nursing and Allied Health students.
Purchasing is strictly regulated by state law and managed by the Department of State Purchasing. Contracts or purchases more than $10,000 must be bid through State Purchasing. Vehicles are obtained only through state contracts. Renovation or construction contracts are handled through State Building Services with the College maintaining the day-to-day oversight responsibilities. In evidence of the College's adherence to accurate and lawful procedures, annual State audits of all contracts have been satisfactory.
Southeast Arkansas College Foundation
Organized in 1993, the Southeast Arkansas College Foundation, Inc. is a charitable and educational nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Arkansas. The College President and Vice President for Finance and Administration are nonvoting ex-officio members entitled to all privileges and rights of membership. While the group meets annually, the College President, the Foundation President, or Foundation Board of Directors may call special meetings at any time. The successes of the Foundation's annual pledge drives are reflected through the financial reports. All financial dealings of the Foundation are held to the same high standard of integrity as that of the College. The financial records and bylaws for the Foundation are available for review in the Resource Room.
The College's integrity rests with its employees as specific work responsibilities are accomplished. Published Institutional policies, philosophies, and values are, at times, incongruent with the enactment of these policies thereby diminishing institutional integrity. The 1999-2000 NCA Self-Study process and evaluation of current data determined a number of strengths and recommendations concerning establishing and sustaining the College's institutional integrity.
The College is commended for:
Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement
It is recommended that: