MT. SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
BUDGET DEVELOPMENT FISCAL 2014-2015
Resource Allocation Proposal
Originator: / Suzanne Uhl
Program or Department Name: / Communication Studies
Area Dean: / Richard Rowley / Campus: / Menifee
Area Vice President: / Patrick Schwerdtfeger
Account Code:
Total Amount Requested: /
$ 2924
One Time Funding ____ / On Going Funding_X__ / Safety _____ / Personnel____
What are you requesting? Why is the request being made? Where was the need identified?
Instructions: Explain what you are requesting (equipment, software, conference attendance, budget augmentation, faculty training, etc), why the request is timely and important and where the need was identified (analysis of assessment data, necessaryequipment has failed, department meeting discussion, etc.)
What are you requesting?This RAP is for annual travel to the National Association for Communication Centers conference held at varied locations throughout the U.S. during the Spring semester. I am requesting ongoing funding for TWO faculty members to attend this conference.
The conference is aninformation dense resource of materials designedto enhance student success at Communication centers. Faculty who work with CommCenters all over the country, in both 2 year and 4 year institutions, join together to share ideas and research. Effective pedagogical strategies are shared. Cost effective tools are compared. Practical protocols and forms are freely shared. The focus of this conference is very narrow: CommCenters. As a result, EVERYTHING is relevant from budget to technology to student mentoring to procedures. Given the relative new arrival of the Center on campus, this is a very timely request. (NOTE: previously attendance has been paid for at personal cost and has been worth every penny.)
For a general idea of what this conference entails, consider skimming through the current NACC website: Here is the general blurb about this year’s conference:
“This year the theme is “Students at the Center: Connecting Ideas, Energizing our Future.” Our students, mentors and those seeking services are truly at the heart of each of our centers. Through sharing our research, our philosophies, and experiences we build a bond that strengthens speaking centers as a whole. It is no secret that communication skills are essential in almost any professional field – our speaking centers give students a place and the space to practice these skills, try out new approaches, and develop the confidence to become proficient communicators.”
Why is the request being made? Where was the need identified? Much money and time has been invested into the Communication Studies Center at the Menifee campus. It is a beautiful facility. Both FT department faculty members currently oversee this center; neither have had any practical experience with CommCenters in the past. This conference will better equip the faculty to help guide the center toward even greater effectiveness for students. With so much technology inherent within Communication Centers, strategies continually evolve so ongoing attendance is requested. The emphasis of the conference changes every year. Both faculty members have articulated their desire for more information with deans, other lab directors, and administrators.
Section I / Explain how your request is supported by your Program Review (2011) or Annual Program Assessment (2012-13, 2013-14):
Instructions: To receive points (6)for this section, you must connect this RAP to your 2011 program review or 2012-13 or 2013-14 annual program assessment. If applicable, cut and paste from your program review or annual program assessment. Cite the document (either program review or annual program assessment, and the year if the language utilized is from an annual program assessment) and the page number. NOTE: From this point on, no partial credit will be awarded for your responsesso make alltiesto this RAP from your program review documents, learning outcomes andinstitutional plans, priorities and goals as clear and strong as possible!
Under section E (Final Summary) of the most recent Annual Program Assessment, the 2012-13 APA for Communication Studies, I wrote:“Additionally, we will submit RAPs for travel to conferences designed to better train and equip faculty including (but not limited to) the NACC conference (a Comm Center conference) in April, NCA (the national convention) and others.”
Obviously, this RAP is clearly, specifically and directly supported by our APA.
Section I / Describe how your request is supported by your Unit Plan (provide link to 2013-14 Unit Plan)
Instructions: To receive points (5) for this section, you must join this RAP to the current unit plan created by your dean. If applicable, cut and paste from the unit plan, citing the page number.
The Unit Plan does not mention conference attendance relevant to the CommCenter.
Section I / Explain how your request is supported by your CLO/PL0/AUO/SLO:
Instructions: To receive points (9) for this section, you must tie this RAP to your current learning outcomes. List the learning outcomes that link to this RAP and explain how these learning outcomes support this RAP.
The Communication Studies program learning outcomes are:
Recognize and discuss the ways in which communication, both verbal and nonverbal, affects lives in various social contexts (e.g., intrapersonal, interpersonal, intercultural, group, organizational, mass, and mediated communication among others).
Locate, read, and critically evaluate research (traditional and electronic), comparing and contrasting research methodologies used in the discipline.
Construct and responsibly present different types of speeches both individually and group, demonstrating effective communication practices (e.g., active listening, self-presentation).
Explore, compare and evaluate the basic communication theories of small group, public, organizational and mass communication, the ways in which technology affects communication, as well as the rhetorical foundations of the field of Communication studies.
The Communication Studies Center supports every one of the above PLOs in very practical and specific ways. Increasing our effectiveness in administering this center will further increase the effectiveness of the center. Likewise, ineffectiveness in administrating this center will lead to ineffectiveness of the center. As stated previously, the two FT faculty members who oversee this facility have no prior experience specifically related to CommCenters, despite the greatest of intentions. In essence, we are requesting an investment into ourselves that will improve the CSC and better service our students.
Section II / Describe how your request is aligned with one or more of the following Institutional Priorities: (link to strategic plan)
Student Success
Instructions: To receive points (10) for this section, you must join this RAP to an increase in student success. How would funding this RAP improve student learning? Describe specifically how students would benefit.
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for student success) are:
1. Improve course completion rates.
2. Accelerate “time-to-completion” rate for those students pursuing a transfer track.
3. Integrate learning, engagement, access, and teaching initiatives that support student academics and personal growth.
Use of a CommCenter has been empirically documented to increase retention and student success. Obviously retention is connected to course completion, degree completion and/or transfer. The CSC is a hub of student activity with the student club as a solid example of engagement. Instructors often bring their entire classes over to the center to allow their students to the opportunity to apply the teaching they received in the classroom. The use of the break out rooms for speech capture and self-assessment allows students to grow academically and personally.
The CSC is directly tied to student success; improved administration of the center will allow the center to be as excellent as possible in that endeavor.
Fiscally Sound Position:
Instructions: To receive points (8 for this section, you must connect this RAP to a more fiscally sound position for the district.. For example, how would funding this RAP increase district revenues or decrease district expenditures?
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for fiscally sound position) are:
4. Intensify the pursuit of grants, contracts, and other income streams.
5. Become a greener campus at all four learning sites.
Collaboration with other lab directors increases effectiveness of the center. Less time is wasted on ineffective protocols. This maximizes the time and money spent on varied aspects of the CSC. Additionally, communication with other faculty on other campuses has led to exploring new grant options that were previously unknown. This collaboration is at the core of the NACC conference.
Systematic Planning and Assessment:
Instructions: To receive points (2) for this section, you must fasten this RAP to an enhancement in the district's institutional effectiveness effort. For example, how would funding this RAP improve assessment, the program review process or the use of data for decision-making and/or institutional improvements?
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for systematic planning and assessment) are:
6. Emphasize College-wide data-driven assessment and decision-making utilizing internal and external data.
One of the central themes at NACC is centered on assessment. At some academic institutions, the continuing existence of a CommCenter is entirely tied to assessment. Lab directors at these locations heavily rely on assessment to justify their very existence. As a result, the opportunity to “borrow” tested and true assessment tools is invaluable to us here at MSJC.
Section II / Institutional Pride and Organizational Culture:
Instructions: To receive points (3) for this section, you must join this RAP to an increase in institutional pride or improvement of our district's organizational culture. For example, how would funding this RAP increase student and/or staff investment and pride in the institution?
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for institutional pride and organizational culture) are:
7. Promote quality institutional communication as a key priority and practice.
8. Advance and celebrate student learning, sense of community, safe and positive environment, diversity, and employee and student pride.
9. Promote more student engagement in campus life.
The CSC addresses each of these goals (#7—The Center is integrated with separate faculty/course, the department as a whole, and Comm students; communication must be clear between all constituents. #8--Ensuring faculty presence within the CSC keeps the facility safe. Certainly a center, such as this, is about advancing and celebrating student learning. #9—The CSC is the preferred location for the student club. The faculty presence in this facility helps ensure continued student engagement in campus activities such as these.)
This RAP promotes greater effectiveness in the CSC which will improve all the above.
Community Partnerships and Service
Instructions: To receive points (2) for this section, you must connect this RAP to an improvement in community partnerships and/or service. For example, how would funding this RAP make our local communities view our district in a more favorable light?
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for Community Partnerships and Service) are:
10. Increase the College’s visibility, value, and recognition in our service area.
11. Intensify our reputation as a leader and important partner in all communities that we serve.
12. Enhance our interaction between MSJC faculty and staff and the faculty and staff from area middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities.
In time, we hope to reach out to the community more but not at this time. NOTE: The subject of community partnerships has come up at NACC and certainly is a commendable goal that we will examine more closely once our priority efforts toward students are well established.
Section III / Describe how your request will support one or more of the 12 Institutional Goals in the Strategic Plan (link to Strategic Plan)
Instructions: Return to the strategic plan and study the 12 institutional goals. Connect this RAP to as many of these goals as possible. To ensure the points (10) for this box are awarded, list those goals that link to this RAP. Fully explain how these goals tie to this RAP.
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for student success) are:
1. Improve course completion rates.
2. Accelerate “time-to-completion” rate for those students pursuing a transfer track.
3. Integrate learning, engagement, access, and teaching initiatives that support student academics and personal growth.
Use of a CommCenter has been empirically documented to increase retention and student success. Obviously retention is connected to course completion, degree completion and/or transfer. The CSC is a hub of student activity with the student club as a solid example of engagement. Instructors often bring their entire classes over to the center to allow their students to the opportunity to apply the teaching they received in the classroom. The use of the break out rooms for speech capture and self-assessment allows students to grow academically and personally.
The CSC is directly tied to student success; improved administration of the center will allow the center to be as excellent as possible in that endeavor.
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for fiscally sound position) are:
4. Intensify the pursuit of grants, contracts, and other income streams.
5. Become a greener campus at all four learning sites.
Collaboration with other lab directors increases effectiveness of the center. Less time is wasted on ineffective protocols. This maximizes the time and money spent on varied aspects of the CSC. Additionally, communication with other faculty on other campuses has led to exploring new grant options that were previously unknown. This collaboration is at the core of the NACC conference.
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for systematic planning and assessment) are:
6. Emphasize College-wide data-driven assessment and decision-making utilizing internal and external data.
One of the central themes at NACC is centered on assessment. At some academic institutions, the continuing existence of a CommCenter is entirely tied to assessment. Lab directors at these locations heavily rely on assessment to justify their very existence. As a result, the opportunity to “borrow” tested and true assessment tools is invaluable to us here at MSJC.
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for institutional pride and organizational culture) are:
7. Promote quality institutional communication as a key priority and practice.
8. Advance and celebrate student learning, sense of community, safe and positive environment, diversity, and employee and student pride.
9. Promote more student engagement in campus life.
The CSC addresses each of these goals (#7—The Center is integrated with separate faculty/course, the department as a whole, and Comm students; communication must be clear between all constituents. #8--Ensuring faculty presence within the CSC keeps the facility safe. Certainly a center, such as this, is about advancing and celebrating student learning. #9—The CSC is the preferred location for the student club. The faculty presence in this facility helps ensure continued student engagement in campus activities such as these.)
This RAP promotes greater effectiveness in the CSC which will improve all the above.
The specific goals (from the strategic plan for Community Partnerships and Service) are:
10. Increase the College’s visibility, value, and recognition in our service area.
11. Intensify our reputation as a leader and important partner in all communities that we serve.
12. Enhance our interaction between MSJC faculty and staff and the faculty and staff from area middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities.
In time, we hope to reach out to the community more but not at this time. NOTE: The subject of community partnerships has come up at NACC and certainly is a commendable goal that we will examine more closely once our priority efforts toward students are well established.
Section III / Explain how your project goals are supported by any of the following plans (2009-16 Educational Master Plan (2 points), Distance Education Plan (1 point), Technology Plan(1 point) and/or the Facilities Master Plan (1 point)):
Instructions: Review the plans above. Join this RAP to each applicable plan. To ensure the points for this section are maximized, list the plans that tie to this RAP and explain fully how each links to this RAP. Cut and paste plan verbiage where appropriate. Cite page numbers for each plan that is referenced.
The Educational Master Plan () states on page 24 & 25: “Program Emphasis: Transfer education and job preparatory skills will be the highest goals for our students, thus requiring a continued college expansion in academic and career fields, and in the basic skills and support services related to these goals.” Communication skills are critical in “academic and career fields” and the CSC is designed to support and enhance that basic skill.