Goal 4
Assure Welcoming Facilities, Efficient Services, and a Sense of Community
for all Rhode Island College Constituents.
Objectives in red are those to be met in academic year 2007-2008.
Objective 4.1
By February 2008, review processes in place and propose a comprehensive and
cohesive approach to communication about campus activities to promote a more
welcoming environment.
Primary Responsibility: All Vice Presidents
Progress to Date:
The vice presidents have begun to review processes that are in place to communicate
about campus activities and to promote a more welcoming environment. The College
regularly refreshes the Web site and campus calendar. Student Affairs also offered
a successful “Ask RIC” project. The project, which was begun in
July 2007, has a link on the RIC Web site that allows students, parents, and
visitors to ask questions. Over 450 answers have been provided, always within
a 48-hour period.
Student Affairs has also engaged in a project entitled “Reweaving the
Safety Net” in order to help students and staff recognize and respond
to troubled students. As stated in the college’s mission statement, Rhode
Island College strives to promote the intellectual development of its students,
“ensuring that each student experiences academic life in a caring
community…” [emphasis added] College campuses, Rhode Island
College included, are generally safe environments, where learning is truly a
social phenomenon, “informed by serious inquiry, civic engagement, and
open discourse.”
If the College is to fulfill its intentions to retain and graduate its students
so that they can lead productive and satisfying lives, we must pay attention
to the well-being of the whole person, including his/her mental and emotional
health. To that end, Dr. Thomas Lavin of the Counseling Center, in collaboration
with other key services and resources on campus, has developed and offered to
the college community a series of workshops to help more people effectively
recognize and respond to students in distress. Many faculty and staff already
do an excellent job in this regard, but as with any system, there are gaps in
the safety net that must and can be repaired.
The focus of these workshops in fall 2007 was to educate and remind faculty
and staff regarding:
- Recognition of early warning signs of students in distress
- How to respond to and/or approach these students in a helpful manner
- How best to refer students to mental health and other services on campus
- The availability of consulting services for faculty and staff in dealing
with particularly complicated or difficult situations involving students
- Guidelines for responding to mental health emergencies
(Additional workshops to take place in spring 2008)
1/24/08
Administration and Finance Update:
Information Services, Security & Safety are working on a proposed improved emergency phone deployment on campus. No other progress is noted on this objective at this time. Perhaps the appointment of a committee to address this initiative would facilitate substantial completion by the end of the strategic planning period.
Student Affairs Update:
January 2008-May 2008; 375 contacts were responded to in a timely fashion.
6/2/08
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Objective 4.2
Update the detailed inventory of the College's buildings and grounds,
developing by June 2008 a new prioritized list of needed repairs and
enhancements. Include parking expansion in next campus Master Plan.
Primary Responsibility: Vice President for Administration & Finance,
Vice President for Student Affairs
Progress to Date:
The inventory of College facilities is updated as changes are made. The priority
listing of needed repairs and enhancements is formally updated in the Spring,
but is a dynamic document. Priorities are updated with the occurrence of emergencies
and changes in funding. Annually, the College also tracks infrastructure improvements
that are funded by Capital Project Funding and Asset Protection Appropriations.
For FY2008, planned capital improvements include upgrades to the Student Recreation
Center. Planned asset protection projects include upgrades to emergency generators
in Building 1, Clarke Science, Fogarty Life Science, Gaige (Computer Server),
updates to fire alarm systems in the Art Center and Henry Barnard School, Review
of High Voltage Electrical System, the installation of new piping for the East
campus water system, upgrades to roofs for Browne, Gaige and Whipple Halls as
well as asbestos removal and interior demolition of Buildings 3 & 7 (preparing
for already bid renovations).
1/24/08
Administration and Finance Update:
Facilities & Operations tracks ongoing needs for repairs, maintenance, and renovations. Due to budget constraints, the Master Planning Process has been postponed and a Request for Proposal for a Feasibility Study to Update the College Infrastructure was tabled.
Staff attrition and lost FTEs in Facilities & Operations and Capital Projects has resulted in reorganization of duties and postponement of some tasks.
Renovations of Buildings 3 and 7 are underway. When complete, Building 3 will house Financial Aid, a Café, and two electronic classrooms. When complete, Building 7 will house the Sherlock Center on Disabilities. Various infrastructure, parking, lighting, and landscaping improvements are planned in the surrounding areas including the much needed replacement of the water line for the East Campus.
Publishing Services worked with the Facilities & Operations to renovate the spaces and workstations in the Mail Room, the Copy Center and Publishing Services.
Accounting, Budget, and Purchasing Departments worked with Facilities & Operations to facilitate payment for New Residence Hall Construction, Renovation of Buildings 3 & 7 from bonds funding and other campus repairs and improvements from Asset Protection and College maintenance budgets.
6/2/08
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Objective 4.3
Develop a comprehensive facilities utilization process, providing a uniform
mechanism for reserving rooms and facilities.
Primary Responsibility: Vice President for Development and College Relations,
Vice President for Administration & Finance, Vice President for Student Affairs
Progress To Date:
The Office of Conferences and Special Events has developed an electronic contract
system to coordinate scheduling of rooms and facilities across campus. Included
in the contract coordination are scheduling, dining services, audio-visual,
student union, and the academic scheduling office. All on and off-campus events
utilizing the College’s facilities are coordinated through the Office
of Conferences and Special Events or through the Office of the Nazarian Center
for the Performing Arts.
1/24/08
Administration and Finance Update:
No progress is noted on this objective at this time. Perhaps the appointment of a committee to address this initiative would facilitate substantial completion by the end of the strategic planning period.
Development and College Relations Update:
No new initiatives—however, the development of an electronic form has been implemented and is used by the Office of Conferences and Special Events that has eased logistics, reservations, and notification of key parties who need to be involved in facilities reservations.
6/2/08
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Objective 4.4
By August 2008, catalog and publicize existing areas where students can
gather. By May 2008, identify at least one additional space for informal student
gatherings, transforming it into an inviting student lounge.
Primary Responsibility: Vice President for Administration & Finance,
Vice President for Student Affairs
Progress to Date:
The President has authorized the formation of a feasibility committee to explore
the benefits of an expanded Student Union one feature of which will be to provide
additional comfortable space for students and others to gather.
1/24/08
Student Affairs Update:
The report of the Student Union Expansion Feasibility Task Group was submitted to President Nazarian on May 23.
Administration and Finance Update:
Working with Information Services, Publishing Services published a listing of wireless access zones in the Faculty/Staff Directory in July 2007.
6/2/08
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Objective 4.5
Enhance the quality and inclusiveness of student life by increasing student
engagement in co-curricular activities and attendance at campus events as
measured by the 2009 administration of the National Survey of Student
Engagement.
Primary Responsibility: Vice President for Student Affairs
Progress to Date:
NSSE will be administered for the third time during the 2008-2009 academic year. A leadership development program (New Emerging Leaders Program) was developed by the Student Activities Office and attracted eighteen students who met regularly during the spring semester.
6/2/08
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Objective 4.6
Enhance the intercollegiate athletic program to continue to support the
success of student-athletes both on the athletic field and in the classroom
while serving as a catalyst for alumni, campus, and community outreach and
provide a diverse recreation program that supports the broad fitness interests
of the entire campus community. On an annual basis submit a report to the
College President with a comprehensive review of the intercollegiate athletic
program, the recreation program, and accompanying facilities and specific
objectives for the following year.
Primary Responsibility: Vice President for Student Affairs
Progress to Date:
The President has authorized a multi phased renovation of the existing Recreation
Center; the first phase which involves extensive improvements to the indoor
swimming complex is already underway and funded.
1/24/08
The bids for the first phase are out and a tentative project timetable is available.
6/208
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Objective 4.7
By August 2007, revivify the College's service agenda.
Primary Responsibility: Vice President for Administration & Finance,
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Progress to Date:
In 2006, the President announced the return of the Service Agenda. The first
phase of the Service Agenda included sessions on Sexual Harassment Prevention
Training (SHPT). Chaired by the VP for Administration and Finance, the SHPT
Committee hosted 13 sessions with 251 (27.4%) participants. Additional Service
Agenda sessions focusing on Customer Service have been planned in 2007 for delivery
in FY2008. The second phase of the Service Agenda includes session on Customer
Service for Staff. The program entitled “Give ‘em the Pickle”
has been well received with 224 participants as of November 2007. Staff training
will be completed in January 2008. The third phase of the Service Agenda will
include similar workshops for Faculty.
1/24/08
Administration and Finance Update:
Human Resources worked with various faculty, staff, and administrators to develop, assemble, and present to members of the College community the “Give them the Pickle” customer service training. A total of 231 attendees participated during the Fall and Spring Semesters.
The College’s service agenda for faculty was implemented via the advising and assessment initiatives featured in the Academic Affairs Plan 2010 report.
Publishing Services worked with the Human Resources to design and print name badges and gift coupons for the “Give ‘em the Pickle” service agenda.
6/2/08
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Objective 4.8
During the 2007-08 academic year, commence the codification of policies, procedures, and
guidelines currently in use by the College
Primary Responsibility: All Vice Presidents
Progress to Date:
The Council Standing Committee on Academic Policies and
Procedures (CAPP) met throughout the 2006-07 academic year to review in its
entirety the chapter of the College Handbook of Policies, Practice, and
Regulations on academic policies and procedures (Chapter 3). Numerous
substantive changes and updates were made. A draft was submitted to the Interim
VP for Academic Affairs for an initial review in December 2007; a revised draft
will be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Council of Rhode Island
College for comments in January 2008; and a final draft will be forwarded to the
Council for adoption by resolution in February 2008.
1/24/08
Academic Affairs Update:
During the 2008-2009 academic year, commence the codification of current policies, procedures and guidelines used by the College.
RIC gathered all documented policies that have been accumulated by the College’s academic and administrative units in the past seven years (completed fall 2007). In the spring semester, the College Handbook on Academic Policies and Procedures (Chapter 3) was updated, placed on the Website for the Rhode Island College Council to review, and was affirmed by a vote of Council (April 2008). The document will be added to the College’s Website in May 2008.
Administration and Finance Update:
Many accounting, bursar, hiring, and purchasing policies, procedures, practices, and processes have been documented and accumulated to facilitate codification.
6/2/08
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Objective 4.9
For each year of this plan, continue to strengthen and expand activities to
enhance staff diversity throughout the College.
Primary Responsibility: All Vice Presidents
Progress to Date:
Hiring data, monitoring, and diversity priorities for staff hiring are distributed to all hiring committees by Director of Affirmative Action Pat Giammarco (fall 2007) See Affirmative Action Plan
http://www.ric.edu/affirmativeAction/plan.php
The State Equal Opportunity Office sends all state departments percentage
goals to be used in hiring racial/ethnic minorities and females.
Goals:
Female - 48.4%
Minority - 14.5%
Hiring Data: July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007
Staff hires - 54.8% female; 16.7% minority
1/24/08
Administration and Finance Update:
Affirmative Action Office continued to work with search committees to diversify faculty and staff through strong recruitment and monitoring of the hiring process. Although not all hiring has been completed, racial/ethnic and/or female faculty has been hired in the majority of hiring departments.
With representatives from all divisions, the President’s Dialogue on Diversity Committee presented campus-wide programs.
6/2/08
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Objective 4.10
By January 2008, as part of the work of the Campus Emergency Response Steering
Committee, develop and implement a comprehensive plan to alert the campus
community in the event of an emergency.
Primary Responsibility: Vice President for Administration & Finance
Progress to Date:
As recommended by the Campus Emergency Response Steering Committee, the College is implementing an emergency notification system that can send announcements to cell phones by way of text messages. We have had two successful tests and are currently in the process of acquiring cell phone numbers from students, faculty, and staff. The President has directed the College Counseling Center to conduct workshops on campus to discuss the importance of identifying and communicating concerns about individual behavior. Security and Safety and the Office of Residential Life has established designated areas for students to gather in case of an emergency. Current practices exceed the state standard for evacuation procedures. The College is cooperating with North Providence to establish a Partnership with the City of North Providence Emergency Management Agency. This will include the addition of surveillance capacities and enhanced encrypted radio communications with statewide police and fire departments and hospitals. The town of North Providence has received grant funding for this initiative.
1/24/08
The following initiatives cross divisions and reflect outcomes from recommendations recommended by the Campus Emergency Response Steering Committee.
- To supplement existing mechanisms for communications, Information Services tested and implemented the Emergency Notification System The system can send announcements to registered cell phones via text messages. The acquisition of cell phone numbers from students, faculty and staff continues.
- Concurrently, the College Counseling Center conducted workshops on campus to discuss the importance of identifying and communicating concerns about individual behavior.
- The Dean of Students continues to convene monthly meetings regarding troubled students. A representative from Campus Security and Safety has been added to these monthly meetings.
- Security and Safety and the Office of Residential Life established designated areas for students to gather in case of an emergency. Current practices exceed the state standard for evacuation procedures.
- The College is cooperating with North Providence to establish a Partnership with the City of North Providence Emergency Management Agency. This will include the addition of surveillance capacities and enhanced encrypted radio communications with statewide police and fire departments and hospitals. The town of North Providence has received grant funding for this initiative. A partnership was already in place with the City of Providence.
- Information Services is cooperating with Web Services to implement a “mirror” website. A remote back-up server was placed into service.
- Security and Safety worked with various departments to reactivate the Bio-safety Committee functions in a newly appointed Institutional Safety Committee. Initiatives included the awarding of a state MPA for a vendor who surveyed our facilities for proper use, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes. An extensive environmental safety compliance audit has begun. With the goal of improving safety and minimizing waste, a number of audits have been completed with others being scheduled via a more coordinated effort with the faculty and staff of departments including Art, Biology, and Physical Sciences. A number of chemicals no longer is use have been removed and properly disposed. Signage and emergency contact information has been upgraded and posted. The initial stages of safety and compliance training programs on the regulations for proper labeling, use and disposal have been presented. A waste pickup disposal form is now available.
- Information Services, Security & Safety are working on a proposed improved emergency phone deployment on campus.
6/2/08
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