2015-2020 Strategic Plan 2017 Progress Report Academic Excellence Goal 1: Enhance faculty development by implementing strategies to increase research, expand innovative teaching pedagogies, and improve instructional technology tools and infrastructure. Objectives Responsible Unit(s) Timeline Progress Outcomes 1A: Establish and maintain grant development resources to provide grant writing workshops for faculty and staff, identify funding opportunities, and provide support for all aspects of grant submission. Academic Affairs Business Affairs University Advancement Ongoing The Office of Sponsored Programs in collaboration with the Malone Center for Teaching Excellence offered a training workshop for faculty and staff. In addition, OSP offered numerous and small group consultations and training sessions and sponsored participation in webinars and grant training at Auburn University. In 2016-2017, 83% of academic units worked with the Office of Sponsored Programs: 3 of 4 departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, both departments in the College of Education, all 4 departments in the College of Fine Arts, and the Library. 30 grant applications were submitted within the past year, with 9 for major grants of $100,000 or more and 7 of those 9 for more than $1,000,000 over the life of the grant. 1B: Establish at least one endowed chair/professorship in each College within 5 years. Academic Affairs Business Affairs University Advancement 2015-2020 No additional chairs or professorships have been
Establish a Abroad/Study Away Center designed to increase student participation. University Advancement Business Affairs 2F. Establish an Internship Center designed to increase student participation. Academic Affairs Colleges have determined that a decentralized approach remains preferable. Goal 3: Expand and enhance undergraduate and graduate programs of study. Objectives Responsible Unit(s) Timeline Progress Outcomes 3A: Determine new undergraduate and graduate majors that are consistent with the University mission, will address the interests of current and prospective students, and will prepare graduates for fulfilling and careers. Academic Affairs; Faculty Business Affairs Admissions Graduate Council Ongoing The College of Business has received all necessary internal approvals for a new BS degree in Computer Informatics. The proposal has been submitted to ACHE and to SACSCOC for approval in anticipation of offering the degree in the 2018-2019 AY. 3B. Expand undergraduate and graduate offerings through online/hybrid courses or online degrees. Academic Affairs; Faculty IS&T Business Affairs Ongoing Technology has been installed in classrooms in Morgan Hall, the Center (where the MBA is delivered), and The entire MBA degree is now offered through synchronous video conferencing. Students may choose to attend class in person or may
Wills Hall to allow courses to be delivered through synchronous video conferencing. participate at a distance through the video conferencing option. The College of Education anticipates offering a number of courses through this option in 2017-2018. 3C. Increase support for interdisciplinary and special minors that may not be associated with academic majors such as Environmental Studies, Game Studies and Design, Latin American Studies and the possible creation of new minors such as Computer Science. Academic Affairs; Faculty Business Affairs Ongoing An African American Studies minor and new concentrations in Strength and Conditioning and Allied Health in the Exercise and Nutrition Science program will be offered in AY 2017-2018. Goal 4: Enhance the role of the Library as an Intellectual Commons Objectives Responsible Unit(s) Timeline Progress Outcomes 4A: Continue the phased transformation of Carmichael Library into an Intellectual Commons. Create group study areas and consultation stations for peer group collaborative learning. Academic Affairs Business Affairs IS&T Library Faculty & Staff Ongoing A Sound Lab was added to the Digital Media Lab which provides for professional audio and video recording and editing. Over 2500 students used the Digital Lab in 2016-2017, nearly triple the number in 2015-2016 The number of patrons on the ground in fall 2016 was 35% higher than in Fall 2015
Titles acquired for the Pat Scales, Grainger, and Sledge Collections are being processed. Scales. The room and the collection will be dedicated on Founders’ Day in 2017. 4C: Increase Library holdings and improve technology and facilities in support of expanding Information Literacy beyond the currently designated courses. Academic Affairs Library Faculty and Staff Business Affairs IS&T Ongoing The Library will be developing the collection in support of the proposed BS in Computer Informatics. IS&T upgraded virtual desktops in the EBSCO Classroom and in the computer commons area. 2600+ books and media were added to the Library collections in 2 new databases were added. Technology was upgraded in the classroom. 6 MACs were added to the computer area on the ground floor of the Library. A Surface Studio computer and 6 design tablets were to the Digital Media Lab with funds from a UM Foundation mini grant. 4D: Create a Maker-Space in the Library for student projects. Provide equipment such as a 3D printer and craft supplies. Library Faculty and Staff Facilities Business Affairs Completed
Goal 5: Increase technology support, equipment and infrastructure to a level which fully meets the needs of faculty and students enrolled in traditional and online/hybrid courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Objectives Responsible Units(s) Timeline Progress Outcomes 5A. Develop a University-wide Academic Technology Plan to support classroom and online/hybrid teaching pedagogies. Develop a technology plan with input from each department about discipline specific needs. Establish within each college an up-to-date computer classroom with specialized software and on-campus technical support. Academic Affairs; Faculty Business Affairs IS&T 2016-2017 Technology Strategic Plan is nearing completion by the Technology Advisory Committee. Six new technology classrooms have been outfitted (at least one in each college and three hybrid classrooms with the capacity for simulcasting class instruction and lecture capture have been completed. A position, Senior Project Manager for Academic Support, has been created within IS&T to supervise a technical analyst and a team of trained student workers in maintaining and caring for classrooms and providing training for faculty. 5B. Establish a long-term technology support budget to fund needed infrastructure and technology upgrades Successfully implement a budget for technology refresh for computers, software, LCD projectors, Smart Boards and emerging technology identified in the Academic Technology Plan. IS&T Business Affairs Academic Affairs Funds saved from the elimination of the original Ellucian contract have been applied to cover all support, The computer leasing program has resulted in a 20% increase of laptops assigned to faculty. New standards for classroom technology upgrades
funding continues to be solicited from businesses and political leaders; grant funding is also being explored 6C. Develop and implement a deferred maintenance plan or a comprehensive construction/renovation plan for all academic buildings. Executive Cabinet Facilities IS&T IS&T Data Center was completed in Morgan Hall. Strong Hall renovation and addition was completed in Summer 2017. Classroom and spaces in Myrick were renovated in 2016-2017. HVAC was replaced in Comer Hall and Harman Hall, and cosmetic improvements were made in Comer in Summer 2017. Storm damage necessitated extensive repairs to the Child Study Center in Summer 2017; an architect will be Development of comprehensive plans is being pursued. A position for Facilities Planning has been added and filled.
8B. Increase ethnic diversity, pursue gender balance, and promote an inclusive, supportive campus environment for students that respects all forms of diversity. Student Affairs Academic Affairs Athletics Ongoing An Admissions Counselor has been assigned to recruit minority students from inner city Birmingham schools and from the Black Belt region of Alabama. Goal 9: Engage incoming undergraduate students. Objectives Responsible Unit(s) Timeline Progress Outcomes 9A: Connect with incoming students throughout the admissions process. Increase summer contacts by University faculty, staff, advisors, and students through personal contacts and social media before and after orientation. Develop and implement a seamless, admissions process that includes easy access to applications, orientation, registration, health forms, etc., for both freshmen and transfer students. Academic Success Center Admissions Deans & Department Chairs; Faculty Student Life Ongoing Change in the leadership of the Admissions Office has been effected, and staff roles have been redefined. A new communications plan is being developed and will be used to implement CRM Recruiter workflow. A new marketing campaign for 2019 is being developed by University Relations. Improvements to the website should be completed by Fall 2017. based
9B. Redesign the first-year and transfer orientation to create a more meaningful experience aimed at student success. Reassess the purpose, content, and format of summer orientation. Consider multi-day sessions for freshmen and alternative formats for transfer students. Coordinate all orientation sessions through one office. Explore pre-registering students in at least a couple of courses to allow in-person advising sessions to focus more on relationship building and less on schedule building. Consider an expanded fall welcome that is required of all incoming students and include a convocation. Student Affairs Academic Affairs; Faculty Enrollment Management Orientation Committee Ongoing ContinuUM, a new pathway program designed to help students from area community colleges make a seamless transition to UM, began in Summer 2017 with Jefferson State CC and Lawson State CC. 9C. Support the development of a rich and meaningful first-year experience program. Create academic cohorts of students together in two or more courses that may or may not have linked content. Develop a first-year seminar (FYS) as one of the personal development options in general education. Develop and implement a “Finish in Four” campaign, with materials tailored to students and to parents. Consider a peer mentor system with mentors attending the FYS and engaging students outside of the classroom during the semester. Academic Success Center Ad Hoc First Year Experience Task Force Deans and Department Chairs; Faculty Ongoing Finish in Four is in Orientation for new students and each semester leading up to Priority Registration; Finish in Four plans have been developed for each major to help students stay on track for timely completion and are easily accessible from the website. 9D. Implement a comprehensive academic advising program that includes resources for advisors (Finish range Academic Success Center Academic Advising, Support, and Intervention Committee Ongoing The Executive Director of Academic Success holds a
Partner with Leadership Shelby County on a leadership initiative for UM students. Offer leadership classes, a leadership lecture series, and team building exercises to promote student leadership development. Office of Service Learning Leadership Shelby County provided for leaders of all 90 student organizations. 11D. Increase attendance at intercollegiate athletic events. Effectively promote and market intercollegiate athletic events. Establish an athletic spirit committee. Investigate network infrastructure to provide sufficient bandwidth for live streaming to improve the fan experience. Secure giveaways and promotions to increase attendance. Athletics IS&T University Relations Business Affairs Ongoing Athletics Dept developed marketing plan and offered promotional giveaways (Fighting Falcon t-shirts & flat screen TV’s) in 2015-2016 to highlight special games and events. Improvements have been made to network infrastructure. While attendance at softball and women’s basketball games was down in 2015-2016, attendance was up significantly in women’s soccer (46%), men’s soccer (47%), and volleyball (66%) games over 2014-2015 numbers. Technology infrastructure improvements have made it possible to stream most games and matches. In Fall 2016, live streaming will be possible from the lacrosse field, making tennis the only sport that remains to be streamed. 11E. Develop and deliver a comprehensive intercultural program. Expand support for international students. Expand support for minority students. Ensure support and activities for diverse students groups (e.g., Spectrum, faith-based groups, etc.) Provide more programming that promotes understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and lifestyles. Student Affairs Academic Affairs Ongoing Programs and events are held in response to significant intercultural social and political issues The President’s Office sponsored a discussion by local, county, and state officials on race and law enforcement that was attended by a capacity crowd in LeBaron Auditorium in fall 2016.
grant was not funded. 14D: Expand the campus infrastructure to support additional academic and athletic camp opportunities (e.g., ACT prep course, gifted/enrichment camps, young writers’ camp, computer camp, game design camp environmental/sustainability camp, music camps, art shows, science festivals, scholars bowl). Academic Affairs Athletics University Relations Facilities Ongoing Office of Partnerships and Outreach created an ACT Prep Camp that has served 252 students to date; P&O secured $2500 in donations to provide scholarships to Montevallo High School Students to attend the Camp. P&O has worked with faculty across the campus to increase the number of summer academic camps (Chess Camp & Non Residential Coding Camp added) and the number of campers (39 more in 2017 than in 2016). Secured $400 in donations Offered first ACT Prep workshops in Summer 2016; these will be continued during the AY. Added a new Coding Camp for local children. Offered Camp for Montevallo Middle School. Net profit of camps to date: $24,500
future students to UM. 15B. Develop reverse transfer agreements with regional community colleges. Academic Affairs Registrar’s Office In progress The two-year and four-year colleges in Alabama are jointly pursuing reverse transfer through the National Clearinghouse; a formal agreement was signed by CC and University Presidents during the 2016-2017 AY. 15C. Expand marketing and recruitment efforts at community colleges including but not limited to adding new degree programs that might attract transfer students, increasing our presence on identified campuses, and partnering with Phi Theta Kappa chapters at community colleges. Admissions Office Enrollment & Student Affairs Business Affairs Academic Affairs Ongoing The ContinuUM program includes more targeted recruitment initiatives for community college students; both an Admissions Counselor and the Executive Director of Academic Success will be on area
promotional piece on resources (the Wetlands, the Observatory). The Director of P&O began making monthly appearances on ACB 33/40’s Talk of Alabama segment to promote events at UM. 18B. Improve the content and navigability of the external website including but not limited to revising the “Community” and “Calendar” information, addressing items that relate to functionality, and creating a link to the intranet that is password protected. University Relations IS&T Calendar Office/Event Planning Office of Partnerships and Outreach Academic Departments 2015-2016 A web consultant has been hired to change the navigation function on the web site to the Google search engine. A Web Oversight Committee has been appointed and is addressing overall effectiveness of the website. 18C. Increase the use of faculty and staff experts as consultants to media outlets and agencies. University Relations Athletics/Sports Information Academic Departments Office of Partnerships and Outreach Ongoing University Relations is updating the UM Expert list.