Conclusion 7-1

Conclusion1

The Steering Committee, working with the self-study principal committees,2

includes the following recommendations, suggestions, proposals for3

improvement, and commendations within sections 1-6 of this report.4

SECTION I: PRINCIPLES AND PHILOSOPHY OF ACCREDITATION5

Recommendations6

1. The Committee recommended involvement of the Board of Trustees7

(RSP 81). As a result, President Hayes provided regular updates and8

copies of the self-study report drafts to the Board of Trustees.9

2. The Committee recommended that the College revise the Policy FLD10

Local to reflect changes in the procedure (RSP 77). The President’s11

Cabinet assigned responsibility to Vice President for Student Services12

and Institutional Effectiveness Pam Davenport.13

14

Suggestions15

None16

17

Proposals for Improvement18

None19

20

Commendations21

1. If an employer decides a student who has completed the program lacks22

these skills, College of the Mainland will provide additional skill23

training tuition-free (College of the Mainland 2001-2002 Catalog, “The24

Guarantee Plan” 11). For further details see Self-Study Section 4. The25

Committee commends the college for its Guarantee Plan.26

27

Conclusion 7-2

1

SECTION II: INSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE2

Recommendations3

None4

5

Suggestions6

1. The Committee suggested that the College develop a formal mechanism7

to ensure that the Vision and Mission Statements appear in all8

publications where their inclusion would be appropriate (RSP 87). The9

President’s Cabinet approved this suggestion and assigned the Director10

of Public Relations the lead responsibility in developing this11

mechanism.12

13

Proposals for Improvement14

None15

16

Commendations17

None18

19

SECTION III: INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS20

Recommendations21

None22

23

Suggestions24

None25

Conclusion 7-3

1

Proposals for Improvement2

1. Early in 2001, the self-study Steering Committee proposed that3

suggestion boxes be placed in convenient locations around campus so4

that students, staff, and community members have a chance to5

informally communicate improvement ideas. The office of the vice6

president for student services and institutional effectiveness monitors7

this process to make sure that the suggestions are collected regularly and8

channeled to the appropriate administrator for action.9

2. The Committee proposes that the College develop an institutional10

training plan that outlines and prioritizes training needs for the College,11

including those related to institutional effectiveness, professional12

development, governance, and technology issues (RSP 90).13

3. The Committee proposes the production and publication of a brief team14

administration manual that includes the annual (or otherwise scheduled)15

procedures each team must follow to assure that the business of the16

College is adequately and appropriately addressed. The contents might17

include procedures for keeping and disseminating required records,18

instructions and submission schedules for required reports, an19

explanation of which councils and committees each team should20

participate in, guidelines for minimum number of team meetings each21

month or semester, and any other helpful information for day-to-day and22

year-to-year team functioning (RSP 71).23

4. In response to a self-study Steering Committee proposal, the Senate24

passed a new College policy that approves the establishment of25

InfoCentral, a shared electronic folder, accessible to all employees, that26

includes meeting minutes, governance documents, and27

forms/publications for all campus entities, including teams and councils.28

Campus-wide training for InfoCentral will begin during spring 200329

convocation week.30

Conclusion 7-4

1

Commendations2

None3

4

SECTION IV: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM5

Recommendations6

1. The Committee recommends that the College develop a formal7

procedure that includes credit guidelines (including required learning8

outcomes), documentation procedures, and assessment safeguards9

before offering credit for prior experiential learning. The Committee10

recommends that the College not initiate awarding such credit until11

these safeguards are in place (RSP 91).12

2. The Committee recommended that a complete list of majors or areas of13

concentration appear at the beginning of the Workforce Education14

Programs section of the catalog (RSP #39). The Administration15

approved this change; the 2002-2003 Catalog includes a comprehensive16

list of the specific workforce programs available to students (2002-200317

Catalog 111).18

3. Graduation requirements published in the 2001-2002 Catalog contained19

a computational error in the required number of credit hours that a20

student must earn to complete an AA or AS degree at College of the21

Mainland. The Committee recommended that this graduation22

requirement be revised in future catalogs to state, “25% of semester23

credit hours toward all associate degrees must be earned at College of24

the Mainland” (RSP 39). The 2002-2003 Catalog complies with this25

criterion (92, 104, 110).26

4. The Committee recommended that the Academic Master Plan should27

include a comprehensive Distance Learning Plan (including distance28

education delivery components), just as it references a Developmental29

Education Plan, and that the Academic Master Plan or a Distance30

Learning Plan should contain procedures for programmatic and31

Conclusion 7-5

curricular changes as they relate to all categories of distance learning1

(RSP 42). Vice President for Instruction James Templer approved the2

recommendation with changes noted, stating the Academic Master Plan3

references the Developmental Education Plan because developmental4

education is one of the College missions. Distance education is a5

delivery method and is referred to as such in the AMP. The AMP6

should refer readers to the Online Learning Plan, but details do not need7

to be in the AMP. The Curriculum Committee is charged with8

coordinating and reviewing curricular changes. Vice President Templer9

plans to meet with the Curriculum Committee to discuss the integration10

of guidelines for all distance learning categories into a Distance11

Learning Plan. Templer envisions this as the responsibility of the12

Distance Education Committee, which he thinks, should be a task force13

for the Curriculum Committee. He states that the Curriculum14

Committee is the key to integrating all instructional plans (email from15

Templer to Distance Education Self-Study Committee dated 4/8/02).16

5. The Committee recommended a formal mechanism for the analysis and17

application of evaluation data (including data for distance education) be18

addressed as part of the Academic Master Plan and/or the Online19

Learning Plan (RSP 52). Vice President for Instruction James Templer20

approved this recommendation and stated that instructional evaluation21

will be added to the Academic Master Plan. Program review, as22

described in Article 5 of the AMP (10-30-02), will contribute to a more23

effective use of internal and external data.24

6. The faculty members who teach developmental math, reading, and25

writing have requested that Institutional Research provide data on26

developmental students’ success on their second attempt at TASP and in27

their college-level classes, including the “B” rule classes. The28

Committee concurs and recommends that Institutional Research track29

developmental students’ success on their second attempts at TASP and30

in their academic courses following their completion of the31

developmental course sequence (RSP 6, 31).32

Conclusion 7-6

7. The developmental math and reading/writing faculties are located in1

different parts of the campus, making communication and collaboration2

challenging. The Committee believes that they should be housed3

together to ease communication and facilitate the coordination of the4

entire developmental program and that the combined teams would5

create an environment more conducive to study; make advisement,6

counseling, and tutorial assistance more readily available; and facilitate7

the implementation of the Developmental Education Plan (RSP 72).8

8. The Committee recommended that the College develop information9

and/or orientation materials for both faculty and students at remote sites10

(RSP 83). Acting Associate Vice President for General Education11

Andrew Nelson, with the assistance of Joan Fiesel from continuing12

education, is currently adapting the Continuing Education Handbook for13

remote sites to meet the needs of faculty and students at off-campus14

learning centers.15

9. Since the last self-study, applicants have been required to sign a form16

stating that English is their “primary language.” The Committee17

recommended that the College modify the current proficiency statement18

to read that the employee is “proficient” in oral and written19

communication, not that English is their “primary language.” The20

President’s Cabinet approved the recommendation, assigning21

responsibility for correction to associate vice president for human22

resources, Gene Connors (RSP 46).23

10. The Committee recommends that the College review DLA Local and24

the Adjunct Faculty Handbook to assure that guidelines and procedures25

concerning the evaluation and supervision of adjunct faculty are up-to-26

date and followed across campus (RSP 58).27

11. The Committee recommends that all teams and individual faculty28

members comply with the established College policies/guidelines29

concerning documentation of the use of professional development funds30

(RSP 49).31

Conclusion 7-7

12. The Committee recommends that all instructional team agreements be1

reviewed to ensure that they include a procedure regarding special2

assignments and additional duties, including committee and council3

membership. The Committee further proposes that the College maintain4

a list of committee, council, and club sponsorship assignments5

organized by team and team member so that the administration can6

monitor special assignments and ensure that no faculty members are7

carrying an inequitable workload (RSP 99).8

9

Suggestions10

1. The Committee suggests that the College revise ECD Local to include11

the assignment of responsibilities related to awarding credit by12

examination and the methods to assess that credit awarded are13

appropriate (RSP 97).14

2. The Committee suggests that the time requirements stated on page 1 of15

the catalog be repeated under the degree time limit statement (2001-16

2002 Catalog 52) so that students have all relevant information in a17

single catalog section entitled “Graduation Requirements.”18

3. The Committee suggests that the College develop an official procedure,19

including necessary documentation, to assure that all course20

prerequisites are reviewed and updated annually; the Committee further21

suggests that primary responsibility for this task be assigned to22

Terrilynn Rotramel so that the institution can be assured that any23

changes are made to both the catalog and to the course inventory (RSP24

96).25

4. During research, the Committee suggested that the workforce areas26

regularly update SCANS and develop a policy mandating periodic27

updates (RSP 84). As a result, beginning with 2002-2003, all workforce28

program SCANS will be updated by March 1 of each year. The29

planning documents of each program will include this new requirement,30

and the associate vice president for workforce education will monitor31

the process.32

Conclusion 7-8

5. Like the draft of the 2003-2004 Academic Master Plan, the Distance1

Education Plan has not been approved by the administration as of2

November 2002. The Committee suggests that, before either plan is3

approved by the Board of Trustees, the Academic Master Plan be4

revised to include reference to the Distance Education Plan. The5

Committee also suggests that the Distance Education Plan discuss the6

role telecourses should play in future distance learning efforts. The7

Committee proposes that the College’s Academic Master Plan and8

Distance Education Plan include comprehensive goals for distance9

learning, as well as outline college services and student services10

necessary to support all distance learning efforts (RSP 41, 42).11

12

Proposals for Improvement13

1. The Committee proposed creating a syllabus template (RSP 69). This14

recommendation was approved and Associate Vice President for15

General Education Andrew Nelson is currently working on a syllabi16

template for the campus. In addition, he is working with the Computer17

Services Team to study the feasibility of electronic syllabi on the18

campus website.19

2. The Committee proposes that the College enforce GA Local. The20

Committee proposes that all teams submit College publications to the21

Publications and Information Team for review and approval (RSP 92).22

3. The Committee proposes that the College continue to improve the23

services designed to accommodate its distance learning students (RSP24

98).25

4. In order to assure that participants enjoy the best possible experience26

when on campus, the Committee proposed that the College reinstate an27

evening rotation of vice presidents or associate vice presidents at all28

locations (RSP 7). The administration approved this proposal and has29

since named Associate Vice President Bill Raley night administrator,30

Associate Vice President Cissy Matthews as weekend administrator, and31

Conclusion 7-9

Associate Vice President Andrew Nelson as Clear Creek 9th Grade1

Center administrator for fall 2002.2

5. Although it would be difficult to evaluate all community outreach3

activities on campus due to the number of off-campus groups involved,4

the Committee believes that those outreach activities that are5

coordinated by faculty and staff could improve evaluation efforts by6

using a standardized outreach/community program survey at the close of7

each activity, if the location and setting make this feasible. The8

Committee also proposed that one office (such as Institutional Research)9

should act as the collection area for evaluation results (RSP 8).10

President Homer Hayes approved this proposal for further study and11

assigned responsibility for this process to the Continuing Education12

Team and Institutional Research (Community Outreach Evaluation13

Form, Community Outreach Survey, Addendum E).14

6. The Committee proposed that the College hire additional full-time math15

faculty to teach developmental math courses (RSP 74). The Committee16

believes more full-time developmental math faculty would positively17

impact student success in math, increase instructor availability, and18

involve more full-time faculty in developmental curricular decisions and19

committee activities on campus. On June 25, 2002, the President’s20

Cabinet returned this proposal with the following note: “The criteria is21

silent on the proportion of full-time to part-time faculty. An appropriate22

question would be are students achieving the intended outcomes? And if23

not, why not?”24

7. The Committee proposed that the Financial Aid Office and the25

Institutional Advancement Office coordinate efforts with the COM26

Foundation Office to acquire additional grants for supporting student27

tuition.28

8. The Committee finds that the LRC 248 Learning Assistance Center,29

which serves students in developmental reading and writing course, is30

out-of-date when compared to other labs on campus. Of the 5231

computer workstations, only 6 have Internet access, and 20 do not have32

the CD capability to accommodate the most recent versions of33

Conclusion 7-10

instructional software. The Committee proposes the funding of a new1

lab in LRC 248 to replace outdated hardware and software used by2

developmental students (RSP 73).3

9. The developmental math and reading/writing faculties are located in4

different parts of the campus, making communication and collaboration5

challenging. The Committee believes6

a. that they should be housed together to ease communication and7

facilitate the coordination of the entire developmental program8

b. that the combined teams would create an environment more9

conducive to study; make advisement, counseling, and tutorial10

assistance more readily available; and facilitate the11

implementation of the Developmental Education Plan (RSP 72).12

The self-study Continuing Education Committee offered the following proposals13

for further improvements that should have a significant effect on the quality of14

the programs and services offered by CE:15

10. Begin systematic training in COCO1 for all continuing education16

employees concentrating on new hires. Note: The CE Team17

implemented this suggestion and now offers COCO training once a18

month at one of its team meetings.19

11. Implement a part-time faculty orientation and expand professional20

development workshops for all CE faculty, such as “Training the21

Trainer,” “How to Create a Syllabus,” and “What is an Adult Learner?”22

12. Create an annual schedule of publications and courses to streamline23

getting all courses in the schedule and to facilitate better planning for24

continuing education and its students.25

13. Coordinate with director of admissions/registrar, Kelly Musick, to26

update the CE registration form needed to meet new state guidelines,27

including information regarding marital status, income range, and28

1 COCO is the College’s central data management software.

Conclusion 7-11

student disabilities. This form should be reviewed annually and revised1

whenever changes mandated by the state arise.2

14. Develop an employee/employer satisfaction survey form to identify3

strengths and weaknesses of courses designed to meet local business4

needs. Since many businesses request repeat or additional programs,5

one might assume that they are pleased with the courses. However, a6

survey could make a good program even better.7

8

Commendations9

None10

11

SECTION V: EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES12

Recommendations13

1. After reviewing current practice, the Committee recommended that the14

College develop a written procedure for weeding out and replacing old15

or out-dated materials (RSP 89). As a result, the Media Services Team16

issued its new procedure on November 14, 2002.17

2. During the self-study, the Committee recommended that the18

administration consider making the professional librarian position a19

tenure-track position (RSP 38). After consideration by the President’s20

Cabinet, the administration informed the Committee that the librarians’21

professional status would remain unchanged.22

3. The Committee recommended that a webmaster be hired to oversee the23

campus’ Internet web needs, a documentation specialist to maintain24

technology documentation standards, and a College software application25

specialist to manage the training of employees on software needs (RSP26

37). The College has funded the webmaster position.27

4. Written documentation outlining the history of changes in information28

technology resources and systems over the last ten years is scarce. The29

Committee recommends that a configuration control document be used30

Conclusion 7-12

to provide documented management over changes to policy,1

infrastructure, hardware, and software (RSP 36).2

5. The Committee recommends that a centralized office be charged with3

identifying training needs and managing technology training at College4

of the Mainland employees (RSP 35).5

6. The Committee recommends that a security policy be designed,6

implemented, and monitored to ensure that future security needs are met7

(RSP 34).8

9

Suggestions10

1. The Committee suggests that the institution explore additional strategies11

to increase participation and input by students in institutional decision-12

making.13

14

Proposals for Improvement15

1. While library and other learning resources are evaluated regularly and16

systematically to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their users17

and are supporting the programs and purpose of the institution, the18

Committee proposes that future campus surveys administered to19

distance learning students include more library-related questions,20

especially those specific to off-campus learning centers (RSP 100).21

Commendations22

1. The Committee commends the library for providing consistently23

superior service.24

2. The Committee commends the College for its incorporation of25

technology into its library and other learning resources.26

3. The Committee commends the College for its student activities27

programs, which contribute to a sense of ownership and responsibility28

by the students.29

Conclusion 7-13

4. The Committee commends Phi Theta Kappa for its outstanding1

accomplishments in the areas of leadership, service, fellowship, and2

spirit. The Committee also commends Phi Theta Kappa advisers Leslie3

Richardson and Cindy Lucas for their superior leadership.4

5. The Student Financial Services Office’s day-to-day and long-term5

procedures will continue to be examined as possible models for other6

teams to follow. The Committee commends them on their fine work7

and efforts to improve service to students in this critical area.8

9

SECTION VI: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES10

Recommendations11

1. After careful review of the following Board Policies BBA Legal (Board12

member eligibility/qualifications), BBB Exhibit (Loyalty Oath), BBF13

Local, BBFA Exhibit, and BBFA Legal (Ethics), and BBG Legal, BBG14

Local, and BBH Local (Board member compensation and expenses),15

the Committee recommends (RSP 10) that the Board of Trustees adopt16

policy with language more closely resembling the language of the SACS17

criterion. In response, the Board of Trustees approved the revision of18

BBF Local on 3-25-02.19

2. The Committee recommended that a systematic assessment process of20

the president and vice presidents be established. The President’s Cabinet21

approved the recommendation. President Homer Hayes stated “DLA22

will be revised this spring/summer to reflect current organization” (RSP23

21).24

3. The Committee recommended that the College keep up-to-date records25

on the locations of former students. College alumni should be26

encouraged to participate in the development of the institution (RSP 76).27

The President’s Cabinet approved the recommendation and assigned28

responsibility to Many Ann Amelang and Heather Flynn.29

30

Conclusion 7-14

Suggestions1

None2

3

Proposals for Improvement4

None5

6

Commendations7

None8

9

10