Timeline:

Planned project kickoff date: January 6, 2006
Target completion date: June 30, 2006
Actual completion date:

A. Give this Action Project a short title in 10 words or fewer:

 Improving Student Life at Shawnee State University

B. Describe this Action Project's goal in 100 words or fewer:

This project will:

• establish a system of gathering and analyzing data concerning student life activity,

• report information related to current student activities, the demand for student life programming and the use of facilities by students and the community, and

• make recommendations for improving student life activity at SSU, especially in the revision of the campus Master Plan.

Recruitment and retention will benefit from additional campus-life programming, student facilities, and campus recreational space that are based on plans that result from the use of data and a clear understanding of needs. Specific follow-up actions projects related to campus life will emerge from this Action Project.

C. Identify the single AQIP Category which the Action Project will most affect or impact:

Category 3: Understanding Students’ and Other Stakeholders’ Needs

D. Describe briefly your institution's reasons for taking on this Action Project now -- why the project and its goals are high among your current priorities:

Shawnee has outgrown the current University Center and student recreational spaces because of enrollment growth, especially residential students, and the increasing use of university facilities by the community.  With more residential students at SSU, there is a need for increased recreational and student life programming.  The need for expanded student life programming and space has been put forth by students and the Student Affairs staff.  The idea also emerged during the Conversation Day from several groups. In addition, the university is updating its Master Plan so this is a good time to assess current activity and project future needs. This project will provide coordinated input to the campus Master Planning effort from a Student Affairs, Student Activity, Campus Life, and Athletics perspective. Representatives from the Action Team for this project will be appointed to the Master Plan Coordinating Group.

E. List the organizational areas - -institutional departments, programs, divisions, or units -- most affected by or involved in this Action Project:

The Student Affairs offices, especially residential life, student programming, and athletics, will be the most involved and affected by this project. Facilities will play an important role in developing the data collection and monitoring systems required for this project. Links to faculty and academic programs will exist in this project through coordination with existing structures, especially the Athletics and Intramurals Committee and Student Affairs Committee of the University Faculty Senate.

F. Name and describe briefly the key organizational process(es) that you expect this Action Project to change or improve:

Of all the Shawnee Action Projects, this one focuses on the improvement of organizational processes by developing a system that collects, analyzes and uses data to make decisions and provide direction for improvements.

G. Explain the rationale for the length of time planned for this Action Project (from kickoff to target completion):

The goal of this project is to develop new systems and structures for gathering information, communicating among campus groups, and arriving at recommendations for action.  The timeline coincides with the Master Plan update that will begin during the winter quarter. In addition to developing new systems, this project will provide direct input to the Master Planning process.

H. Describe how you plan to monitor how successfully your efforts on this Action Project are progressing:

An Action Project Team of 6-8 members will be formed to provide the detailed planning, implementation, and assessment of the Student Life Action Project. The university’s Strategic Planning Committee will provide an oversight and coordination role with the Action Projects. Administrative responsibility for monitoring and assisting the Action Project progress will be with the Associate Provost/Director of Institutional Planning.

I. Describe the overall "outcome" measures or indicators that will tell you whether this Action Project has been a success or failure in achieving its goals:

Because this action project parallels a revision of the campus Master Plan, one measure of effort will be the success with which the Master Plan includes and addresses student life issues and future needs for facilities, both indoor and outdoor. A second evaluation of this project will be an assessment of the changes in university structures and processes that are a result of data-based decision making.

J. Other information (e.g., publicity, sponsor or champion, etc.):

An institutional concern and need identified during the Vital Focus and Conversation Day was improved communication on campus.  This project will consciously model good communications by regularly informing the campus community about progress through multiple communication approaches including, web postings, emails, newsletters, and reports to governance groups (faculty, administrators, staff and students).  The project will also seek input from campus groups by a variety of means that may include surveys, focus groups, meetings with key individuals, open meetings, and requests for information.