DECEMBER 2008 UPDATE

DEVORAH LIEBERMAN
PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

THE 2008-2009 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS GOALS AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE WAGNER COLLEGE STRATEGIC PLAN (ADOPTED IN 2003). THE STRATEGIC PLAN ARTICULATED THE FOLLOWING GOALS IN THE AREA OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE:

Deepen the Wagner Plan
Support Faculty Development
Increase Diversity
Expand Educational Technology
Internationalize Programs
Increase Civic Commitment
Expand and Improve Graduate Programs
Adjust Compensation to National Benchmarks

I. Deepen Academic Excellence

1. Request two additional departmental hires.
December Update:
• These two line requests on hold due to larger budgetary/economic issues.

2. Continue to finalize and receive approval for a long term plan to adjust faculty and staff compensation to the national benchmarks.
December Update:
• The newly formed “Compensation Taskforce” is addressing this and designing proposals.

3. Continue to advocate for increased adjunct faculty compensation, as appropriate.
December Update:
• This will be part of the overall Compensation Taskforce proposals.

4. Further develop plan for Doctorate in Education and Doctorate in Nursing Practice.
December Update:
• Department of Education is preparing a proposal that will be presented before the end of the academic year to the appropriate college bodies.
December Update:
• The Department of Nursing has not yet addressed this.

 5. Create plan to meet long-term space needs for Academic Departments.
December Update:
• This has not yet been addressed

6. Develop strategic plan for and implement the co-curricular transcript and create co-curricular competencies.
December Update:
• The proposal is being read and re-drafted with various constituencies.

7. Establish and link pre-law society, moot court and debate club.
a. Create Wagner College Speech and Debate Society.
December Update:
• Wagner College Speech and Debate Society created. Debate coach hired. Weekly debates occurring.
• Pre-law handbook developed and distributed.

8 Continue to assess the pilot Summer Writing Program for incoming freshman.
December Update:
• Not yet completed

9. Continue focus in Liberal Arts and Liberal Education.
December Update:
• Liberal Education outcomes (as identified by the Association of American Colleges and
Universities) discussed in various College venues.

II. Academic and Career Development

1. Establish and maintain programs to increase student academic achievement and retention.
• Collect and analyze retention data – withdrawals, probations, etc.
December Update:
• Preparing bi-weekly reports of students withdrawing, for use in current planning and future benchmarking
• Tracking performance of students on probation - attendance at Student Success Seminars, mid-semester grade reports.
• Develop “What’s Your Wagner Plan?” brochure and map; disseminate to students, parents, and faculty:
December Update:
• Brochure developed and printed
• Disseminated to all first-year students and FYP faculty via RFT classes, given to parents at family weekend; information on web
• Develop and implement Wagner GPS program:
December Update:
• All new students matched with a GPS administrator.
• Contacts made during first two weeks, then attempted monthly thereafter. Contacts range from email to phone call to in-person meeting.
• Administrators trained for program in summer 2008, meetings in September and October; final meeting to assess program scheduled for December.

 • Explore with faculty/departments how to support students in courses with high rates of D/F/W grades:
December Update:
• Reports will be run after fall semester to identify which courses and departments to work with
• Conduct Student Success Seminars (SSS) and track data:
December Update:
• 24 SSS workshops held on topics ranging from career exploration to time management to critical thinking
• Adjust one advising position to include responsibility for data collection, analysis and working closely with campus retention team:
December Update:
• Half-time Advisor and Data Analyst hired, start date Nov. 17
• Other activities to support this goal:
December Update:
• Advisors visited First-Year RFTs during pre-registration period to review general advising information and answer questions about academic planning.
• Foundations of Writing program conducted in August 2008 – seven students received intensive instruction in writing over nine days, and individual follow-up through the Wagner GPS program; assessment will be conducted after the end of fall semester.

2. Provide academic support for students.
• Establish an Assistant Dean for Academic Support (Writing and Peer Tutoring Centers):
December Update:
• Positions reorganized to create this position, effective date August 1.
• Further integrate the Peer Tutoring Center and Writing Center into the Center for Academic and Career Development (CACD):
December Update:
• The Associate Dean for CACD is now overseeing both the Peer Tutoring and Writing Center. There is greater connection between the two areas.
• Implement additional uses of technology for disability accommodations:
December Update:
• CACD student assistant trained to train other students in use of adaptive software on computers in Horrmann Library.
• Redesign WIT course, recruitment process, promotion of services:
December Update:
• WIT course redesigned to include practical training (15 hours), new WITs are paired with experienced WITs in classroom visits (first-year RFTs) and peer editing.
• Recruitment of WITs currently underway for registration in WIT course for Spring 2009.

Promotion of services:
a. Flyer with WIT and Peer Tutoring schedules given to students during classroom visits;
b. Booklet on “How to prepare for a visit to the Writing Center” developed and distributed to all faculty;
c. Booklet on citation styles developed and distributed in Writing Center
• WITs have been in high demand; budget from prior years will not be sufficient to provide current levels of service for spring semester.
December Update:
• Will need to reorganize or rethink some WIT responsibilities.
• Film WIT workshops for web site:
December Update:
• Not yet completed.

3. Continue enhancement of career development programs and services.
• Increase outreach to alumni and by affinity group (minorities):
December Update:
• Alumni invited and participated in 2 mock-interview nights, and one student-alumni networking reception.
December Update:
• Online mentor module (for alumni, parents, and friends of the College to mentor students) being created in November, data input in December and January, and will be launched to students in January.
• Get sponsorship of career development events (funding by external sources):
December Update:
• Will identify sponsors this month to support/sponsor programs for spring semester
• With the Office of Alumni Relations, develop and implement Wagner Internship and Career Search (WICS) mentor module:
• See item 3-a-i above
• Start Peer Advisor program for undergraduate students to provide career services to peers:
December Update:
• Two Peer Consultants hired and trained for Fall 2008; providing marketing of services, preliminary resume review, and assistance with using WICS for internship and job searches.
• Explore use of e-portfolio on WICS:
December Update:
• Granted access to a graduate assistant in IT to create a pilot e-portfolio

4. Increase participation at events:
• Focus on marketing/outreach:
December Update:
Peer Consultants developed FaceBook account to announce events and facilitate rsvp’s; announcements made at athletic events; emails to targeted student groups/organizations; sign-up tables staffed in Union; students invited during individual office visits.

• Work with other offices (Alumni Relations, Athletics, Co-Curricular Programs, Residential Education, faculty) and student groups:
December Update:
• Worked with Alumni Relations to identify and invite alumni participation for mock-interviews and Student-Alumni Networking Reception; contacting athletics teams to speak to athletes about CACD services and programs; presented workshop for ODK/SGA Leadership day in Nov.; see also goal 6 below.
• Assist with Wagner “Core Commitments Essential Competencies” student transcript:
December Update:
• Next draft written and distributed to CACD and Campus Life staffs for review. Meetings set up to review with SGA, Admissions, and Communications Office.

5. Create greater bridge between CACD and academic departments, Alumni Office, and Admissions:
December Update:
• Through Wagner GPS program, worked with Admissions office to match students and administrators; see above for work with Alumni Relations; Writing Center providing service/outreach to faculty in FYP.

6. Contribute to the internationalization and diversity of the campus by participating in training and workshops for Intercultural Advancement:
December Update:
• Three staff members received training in summer 2009; two conducted workshops for fall orientation.

7. End of the year CACD final report for distribution to campus and alumni.
III. Academic Honesty

1. Further integrate Student Honor Code into academic experiences.
December Update:
• The Academic Honesty Committee requested the faculty support the Student Honor Code in three ways: (1) to include a statement on each syllabus about the Honor Code; (2) to have students in each course sign the honor code and return it to the Student Government Association; (3) to ask students to sign a brief statement verifying their work as their own when they complete a major assignment.

2. Annual review by College Counsel of Academic Honesty Committee.
December Update:
• College Counsel reviewed policy in the spring of 2008.

3. Increase awareness of how to handle academic dishonesty among full- and part-time faculty.
December Update:
• The Academic Honesty Committee has a link on the Provost’s webpage that explains the process for submitting a case over to AHC. This summer, the Academic Honesty Committee invited all faculty members to audio conference (Higher Ed Hero) on the meaning of plagiarism and how to promote academic integrity on campus.

4. Increase awareness of new electronic challenges to academic honesty among full- and part-time faculty.
December Update:
• The Academic Honesty Committee currently has a trial account with the service “Turnitin.com.” Piloting this software to see if it would useful to use at our institution to help with instances of sophisticated, on-line plagiarism.

IV. Accreditation and Assessment

1. Establish Middle States Accreditation Commission subcommittees, goals outlined, drafts
December Update:
• Steering Committee established and held first meeting in October; sub-committee chairs selected and sub-committee membership will be finalized in December 2008. Steering committee members reviewed the charges to the sub-committees.

2. Invite Middle States Accreditation Commission officer to campus for informal discussions.
December Update:
• Middle States Liaison visit to take place in March 2009.

3. Adjust and complete campus wide timeline for Middle States accreditation.
December Update:
• Adjustment to timeline ongoing.

4. Maintain Accreditation/Assessment website.
December Update:
• Website revised: http://www.wagner.edu/provost/assessment_and_accreditation

5. Every academic department complete Annual Goals.
December Update:
• All departments have established goals: http://www.wagner.edu/provost/goals_2008-2009.

6. 80% departmental annual goals completed by May 2009.

7. 50% of academic departments complete first cycle of annual goals and made curricular and
course adjustment based on assessment data and results.

8. Administer and assess the following campus wide assessment activities:
NSSE – February 2009
CLA – February 2009
December Update:
• Fall administration completed.
• FSSE – March 2009
December Update:
• Writing Assessment Project (WAP) assessment of 2007-2008 materials completed.

 9. Complete and achieve IACBE (International Association for the Council on Business
(Education) accreditation in Business Department.
December Update:
• IACBE continuing accreditation completed and received Accreditation. The next IACBE review is scheduled to happen in 2015.

10. Complete and achieve Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
accreditation in Business Department.
December Update:
• ACBSP site visit c October 2008; College received site visit report and responded to report November 2008. Expect determination no later than December 2008.

11. Complete and achieve Physician Assistant accreditation Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
December Update:
• Continuing accreditation achieved. The next Accreditation Review is scheduled to happen in 2011.

12. Committee for Learning Assessment facilitate “student learning outcomes” workshops for campus.
December Update:
• No workshops completed

13. Committee for Learning Assessment deepen campus participation with assessment infrastructure.
December Update:
• No updates to report

14. Committee for Learning Assessment integrate general education critical thinking assessment into departmental senior learning communities.
December Update:
• Committee is preparing proposal for submission to faculty Committee of the Whole.

V. Campus Life

A. Residential Education
1. Complete Phase Two of “Themed Communities” in residence halls.
December Update:
• Already marketing for fall 2009
• Adding two communities for first year students in Harborview : music and arts and culture (New York City museums focus).

2. Create, implement and assess both a First Year Experience and Senior Year Residential
Experience program for residential students for Fall 2009.
December Update:
• The First Year Residential Experience program has been conceptualized: budget being proposed.
• Organizing first planning committee meeting for the Senior Year Residential Experience.

3. Increase quality and quantity of programming offered for residential students.
December Update:
• Enhanced training for Resident Assistants and re-structured programming, expectations and requirements.
• The numbers of programs have increased; for the month of September, the number of programs offered increased by 25% from last September.

4. Continued involvement in development of the new residence hall.
December Update:
• Meeting regularly with on campus offices; intentional meetings set up with H2L2 and Gilbane.
• Working on placing furniture order.

5. Re-furnish and enhance lounge areas throughout the residence halls.
December Update:
• Harborview Hall lounges re-furnished with new, comfortable, and modern furniture.
• Proposal for furnishing lounges in Guild and Towers in a similar fashion this summer if the budget allows being reviewed.

6. Establish a campus-wide Safe Zone program to educate the Wagner community
December Update:
• Program developed and will be facilitated for the first time during the week before Thanksgiving for the RA staff.
• A website is being developed (a link on the Res Ed site) for students, staff and faculty to get information about the program and set up a workshop as they are interested.

7. Ensure a substance free environment and implement appropriate programming and support for
Harborview residents.
December Update:
• Holding students accountable under our new standards for Harborview and have found the substance-free lifestyle to be effective in reducing the number and severity of student conduct issues as well as incidents of vandalism in Harborview.
August through November 2007- 87 alcohol cases.
August through November 2008- 26 alcohol cases which have been closed; another 37 alcohol cases are pending.
• Continuing to work on finding creative ways to program and support this environment.

8. Develop a strategic plan for Residential Education
December Update:
• Designing financial plan for the next 5 years regarding furniture upgrades, including furniture in the Greek Lounges developed. Implementation of plan dependent on budget allocations to Residential Education and the Operations department.

B. Co-Curricular Programs
1. Increase commuter and graduate student participation in co-curricular activities via strategic
staff outreach.
December 2008 Update:
• Implemented the commuter student lunches on the third Wednesday of the month. At our first event, approximately 50 commuters attended.
• Collaborated with the Center for Academic and Career Development to host a first year commuter reception at Nicolais House (November 21st).
• Collaborating with the Graduate Programs, Residential Education and Athletics to create stronger bonds between graduate students. More success in this area with graduate students who hold assistantships.

2. In partnership with the Dean of Campus Life Office, work to facilitate ongoing leadership
development opportunities for students.
December 2008 Update:
• Assisted in the facilitation of the Emerging Leaders Institute on November 14-16. 18 students and 4 administrators attended. Evaluations were distributed and collected.
• Data are being compiled--will report in February updates. Most likely will see two articles in the Wagnerian that will give insight into the students' reflections on Institute.

3. Provide deeper and more intentional outlets for students to challenge their personal beliefs as
they relate to issues of diversity.
December Update:
• Worked with the Mosaic Coalition and the Center for Intercultural Advancement to host Raquel Cepeda and Muctar Jalloh to discuss the blood diamond industry during Diversity Engagement Week.
• Supported the Hispanic Heritage Month Planning committee host lectures, dinners and other events during Hispanic Heritage Month.
• Planned events to for the College's annual celebrations of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to include a trip to the inauguration of President Barack Obama, a community clean-up at the Frederick Douglas Memorial Park and a keynote address by noted speaker, TJ Ledyden.
• Assistant Director has been selected to participate in the Social Justice Institute in Arizona and will be able to bring the skills that she obtains back to the College.
• Addressed this issue and threaded Personal and Social Responsibility in Emerging Leaders’ throughout Institute.

4. Create opportunities for faculty, staff and administrators to become more engaged with student
organizations via the implementation of a faculty/staff speaker's bureau and more consistent
training and support for their roles as advisors to student groups.
December Update:
• Worked with the Dean of Campus Life’s office to prepare materials for advisors for an advisor’s reception.
• Created a link on the Office of Co-Curricular Programs website to support advisors in their roles.

5. Work with the social fraternities and sororities to develop an accreditation process for the
chapters.
December Update:
• Helped design a set a standards, involving input from the students, staff and advisors.
• Created a rubric to help measure the effectiveness of the standards.
• Provided guidance on a document that will be used for helping to define the levels of accreditation.
• Accreditation process is ready to be piloted next semester.

 C. Health and Counseling Services
1. Assist with Peer Education content training as programming is developed in sexual
assault, personal responsibility, alcohol and drug education, etc.
December Update:
• Recruiting for W.A.G.C.A.R.E. (Wagner Community Advocating Responsibility)
Peer educators.

D. Campus Life Office
1. Co-write “core commitments co-curricular competencies” document with students to create
competency requirements outside of the classroom and strategically implement them into a co-
curricular transcript.
December Update:
• Next draft written and distributed to CACD and Campus Life Staffs for review. Meetings set up to review with SGA, Admissions, and Communications.

2. Increase opportunities for leadership development and recognition for students and organization
advisors.
December Update:
• Emerging Leaders Institute took place November 14-16 in Princeton, NJ with 18 students taking part in the weekend.
• Advisor reception took place on October 17th
• Greek Leadership Dinner took place on October 24th at the President’s home.

3. Streamline the judicial processes, training and incorporating of more programming on alcohol and drugs.
December Update:
• Alcohol Education, Choices, and Marijuana programs implemented as sanctions.
• Alcohol and Other Drug Task Force meeting regularly.

4. Create learning outcomes and an assessment model for Campus Life programs/processes.
December Update:
• Evaluations created and being distributed for programming.
• Learning Outcomes being identified and tied to co-curricular competencies model.
• Greek Accreditation process is ready to be piloted next semester.

5. Continue to support student publications and Student Government Association through regular
contact.
December Update:
• Dean with Kallista Yearbook, assisted in funding for Josten’s conference for advisor and co-editors.
• Dean meets on a bi-monthly basis with Kallista and Wagnerian advisor.
• Dean meets regularly with Wagnerian editor to discuss funding for more comprehensive papers.

 VI. Community Outreach

1. Establish a Wagner College Speech and Debate Society that partners with other schools.
December Update:
• Speech and Debate Society created. Meeting weekly and conducting debates. No outreach to
other schools yet.

2. Increase the number of Chai Society members.
December Update:
• 2007-2008 there were 7 Charter members of the Chai Society, 2 Sustaining members of the Chai Society and 73 Friends of the Chai Society.
• 2006-2007 there were 4 Charter members of the Chai Society, 6 Sustaining members, 54 Friends of the Chai Society and we received a Grant from UJA in the amount of $5,000.

3. Increase the number of DaVinci Society members.
December Update:
• Italian Heritage Month completed-October. Increased numbers of community members attending many of the events. 30 students and community members at the Opera Lecture by Louis Barrella, 75 at Italian Love Songs and standing room only at the final concert . Planning for the Feb. 3, 2009 book launch by best selling Author, Adriana Tragiani.

4. Investigate establishing deeper relationships with additional targeted populations in the
Community.
December Update:
• Working closely with populations in Port Richmond neighborhood.
• Deepen connection with Mt. Sinai Hospital program for “Excellence in Students.” Meeting with targeted Chemistry faculty to deepen involvement and ongoing connection.

5. Deepen specific connections with St. John’s University and College of Staten Island.
December Update:
• These SI institutions finishing their Political Series at Wagner College on November 17, 2008. Funding provided by The Staten Island Foundation.

6. Deepen connection with borough’s SINY (Staten Island New York) community initiative.
December Update:
• Attending regular meetings for Staten Island Visioning. Serving on steering committee.

7. Deepen connection with Staten Island Economic Development Corporation.
December Update:
• See #6 above
• Participated in Staten Island NOW: Partnerships in Economic Development.

 8. Further the Port Richmond Initiative, establish community based subcommittees, and connect to the Center for Leadership and Service.
December Update:
• All committees have met; a letter of commitment is being drafted. This letter will clearly define the 5 most important issues (economic, youth, health, immigration, education) to address in the Port Richmond community, as defined by community partners.

9. Support November Celebrate Diversity Day by maintaining and deepening the connections among the Mosaic Coalition, First Year Program Learning Communities,
Civic Innovations students and Civic Engagement Certificate students.
December Update:
• Celebrate Diversity successful. Five cultures represented: Russian, Native American, Chinese, Egyptian and Sierra Leone. More than 2,000 community members in attendance and First Year Program students participated.

VII. Domestic and International Diversity

1. Further integrate the Diversity Action Council’s Campus wide Diversity Blueprint.
December Update:
• See blueprint at: http://www.wagner.edu/departments/dac/filestore2/download/18/DAC%20BluePrint.pdf for complete updates.
• Theatre Department completed Diversity/Theatre Night for all First Year Program Learning Communities’ faculty and students.
2. Further promote the Center for Intercultural Advancement through marketing and programming.
December Update:
• Brochure created and distributed.
• International student and Study Abroad Reception held in the Center on September 18, 2008.
• Diversity Engagement Art Show held in the Center week of: November 3 -7, 2008.

3. Hire a Coordinator for the Center for Intercultural Advancement: supporting Domestic and
International Diversity.
December Update:
• Coordinator hired—September 2008 (Ms. Katherine Steingraber)

4. Establish a student pipeline program for Mt. Sinai Hospital Program high school students.
December Update:
• Natalie Johnson, CACD facilitating process.

5. Complete campus wide “train the trainer diversity seminars” with external consultant.
December Update:
• Trained 30 staff and faculty members to be trainers. Additional training dates set for spring semester.
• Facilitated workshop for 340 students. Workshop scheduled for spring orientation.
• Reaching out to Staten Island Academy to assist them in creating a model useful to them.

 6. Increase percentage of undergraduate students from underrepresented groups by 1%.
• Establish a student pipeline program for Mt. Sinai Hospital Program high school students.
• Establish potential pipeline for students from Port Richmond High School.
December Update:
• 20% 2008 freshman class self identified as students of color.

7. Increase percentage of faculty and staff from underrepresented groups.
December Update:
• Continuing to work with departments through the Diversity Hiring Resource Team.
• Continuing to ask Human Resources and others to use the boilerplate in advertising.

8. Establish relationship with, an Historically Black College and University.
December Update:
• Met with representative from Howard University—November 25, 2008

9. Implement and assess year 2 of international partnerships with St. John’s University in Rome,
University of Almeria in Spain, and Lyon 2 in France.
Further investigate the collaboration/student exchange with Catholique University in Lyon, France.
December Update:
• St. John’s Rome: Fall—7 Spring—19
• Lyon 2: Fall—0 Spring—6
• Almeria Fall—2 Spring—0
• Catholique exchange on hold for now.
• Creating pre and post evaluations for all programs.

10. Implement partnership with Hebrew University and Pizgat Ze’ev in Israel.
December Update:
• Partnership approved by APC; one Wagner student scheduled to go—spring 2009

11. Investigate partnership with qualified university in India.
December Update:
• On hold for now.

12. Further the Internationalization Action Council blueprint.
December Update:
• See blueprint at: http://www.wagner.edu/departments/internationalization/filestore2/download/61/IAC%20Blueprint%202007.pdf for complete updates.

13. Create and implement a study abroad advising plan with faculty for students.
December Update:
• Sent a request to meet with individual departments to create advising plans.

14. Assess Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) Program for quality and financial feasibility.
December Update:
• Asking students to fill out pre and post questionnaires.
• 7-8 programs scheduled to go 2009.

15. Further develop emergency procedures for Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) and other Wagner
College study abroad programs.
December Update:
• Working with EYH Committee and IAC to develop standards.

16. Identify an International Health Insurance Plan for students and faculty in Wagner College study
abroad programs.
December Update:
• Completed. Covered by EIIA (Education International Insurance)
• Create a pre-departure student orientation and a study abroad reentry program for study abroad students.
December Update:
• Pre-Departure orientations planned for December.
• Re-Entry program being developed by Coordinator for the Center of Intercultural Advancement and students.

17. Create and establish and international student club and program.
December Update:
• Students and Coordinator for the Center of Intercultural Advancement are in conversation.
• Student Muslim Club re-established
• Middle Eastern Club established
• Interfaith Club (in discussion with Reverend Michael)

VIII. Experiential Learning and Civic Engagement

A. Project Pericles

1. Continue to encourage and support student involvement in the 2008 Presidential election
December Update:
• Voter registration, political debates, mock election and van service for Election Day encouraged student participation in the electoral process.

2. Connect students more effectively with community issues through the Center for Leadership and Service and Civic Innovations.
December Update:
• Director working with SGA officers to bring more involvement into the community, earmarking grants for campus-community partnerships. Student-driven projects include the Making Strides Walk-a-thon, Blood Drives and leadership mentoring local elementary and intermediate schools.

3. 80% of Wagner students registered to vote in the National Election.
December Update:
• Completed 400 plus registration forms in the fall. Those who did not complete reported that they were already registered. Estimate that 90% of Wagner students registered to vote in fall election.

 B. Campus Compact

1. Continue to support New York Campus Compact.
December Update:
• Three faculty members participating in the May 5 service learning event at City College organized by NYMAPS. Each share their service learning experiences and bring their community partners. Will continue to disseminate experiences at Wagner’s April Civic Engagement Recognition Day.

2. Orient new VISTA worker to Civic Engagement Certificate Program and Civic Innovations Grant.
December Update:
• Wagner 2008-2009 VISTA worker facilitating the Civic Engagement Certificate Program. Bi-weekly meetings held, students participated in Ropes leadership event, fund raising for group T- shirts, planning for Alternative Spring Break.

3. Support faculty development of civic engagement courses as per NY/PA Campus Compact grant program.
December Update:
• Four additional faculty invited to submit service learning courses to receive a $2,000 stipend from NY/PA CC.

4. There will be an increase of 6 Service Learning courses supported by the NY/PA CC grant program.
December Update:
• Anticipate seven for this year.

C. Teagle

1. Complete second year of Civic Engagement Teagle Planning Grant
 December Update:
Completed. Submitted full proposal (with Belmont University) for a continuation of the grant.

2. Submit, in November, new Teagle grant for Port Richmond Initiative ($240,000)
December Update:
• Submitted, November 7, 2008. This partnership, established a Learning Community at Port Richmond High School with college and high school faculty, also include New Visions for Public Schools.

D. Association of American Colleges and University (AAC&U) Core Commitments Grant

1. Further develop Wagner’s commitment to the Core Commitments program and the
Wagner College work plan.
December Update:
• Completing 3rd year. Resubmitted grant plan to AAC&U. Integrated into Emerging Leaders Institute; Integrating into “Essential Competencies;” including as a freewrite and data collection tool into Civic Innovations.

2. Enlist support of Student Government Association (SGA) and Wagnerian to publicize and disseminate the goals of Core Commitments goals addressing Personal and Social Responsibility.
December Update:
• In process of reviewing draft with various constituencies

3. Attend AAC&U-sponsored meeting related to Core Commitments (summer institute 2008).
December Update:
• Completed

4. Work further with SGA and Wagnerian to publicize and disseminate the goals of Core Commitments goals addressing Personal and Social Responsibility.
December Update:
• Integrated into Emerging Leaders Institute and Essential Competencies transcript proposal

5. Develop working groups within the college to address PSR survey results.
December Update:
• Completed. Facilitating discussion with students and staff at Emerging Leaders Institute

E. Learn and Serve Grant (Corporation for National and Community Service) - Civic
Innovations

1. Complete Year Three of the Learn and Serve grant.

2. Deepen the work of the six Civic Innovations committed Departments (Government and Politics; Nursing, Education and History, Business and Sociology).
December Update:
• Six Civic Innovations departments continue to work with their community partners to refine the curriculum and the corresponding civic engagement experiences. Several faculty approached the project director about co-authored articles, as well as professional presentations.

3. Complete and submit Learn and Serve Civic Innovations II for $600,000.
December Update:
• Request for Proposals will be announced in January 2009.

4. Integrate Civic Innovations principles more deeply into the College.
December Update:
• Civic Innovations principles incorporated into non-CI classes. The Project Director is exploring contact with the local minimum security prison at the request of art department faculty. These principles are also serving as the foundation for new grants for the Port Richmond Project, which will link all departments to community programs and organizations.

 

5. Meet with Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington DC, Fall 2008.
December Update:
• The project director attended the annual Learn & Serve America meeting in Washington, and continues to work with 6 departments to fulfill the goals of the grant. The new RFP will be available in January 2009.
• Provost and Project Director met with Learn and Serve administrators twice in fall 2008.

F. Civic Engagement Certificate Program

1. Implement a Bonner leader program at the college.
December Update:
• Bonner Leader program has not been implemented at the college. Our new VISTA worker did not arrive on campus until August and was sent for training the third week in November.

2. Identify existing courses that self identify as Service Learning Courses.
December Update:
• Will address spring 2009.

3. Establish relationship between Americorp*VISTA member and Civic Engagement
Certificate students from 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 entering classes.
December Update:
• A list of 13 Service Learning Courses identified for the Spring semester. VISTA
worker facilitates Civic Engagement Certificate students meetings and volunteer
opportunities.

IX. Office of External Programs

1. Where appropriate, further align with mission of Academic Affairs.

X. Faculty Development

1. Establish a Center for Teaching, Learning and Research.
December Update:
• Request submitted to donor.

2. Establish Lunch & Learn sessions on Enhancing Student Learning (facilitated by
the Wagner Faculty Scholar for Teaching and Learning).
December Update:
• Dr. Jean Halley, Faculty Scholar for Teaching and Learning, organized four monthly “Teaching Matters” lunches led by different faculty members on topics of interest to the faculty:“Teaching the Research Paper” and “Civility in the Classroom.” They were announced to full-time and adjunct faculty, and attended by 8-20 each time.

 3. Initiate an August 2008 Focus on Faculty Symposium.
December Update:
• Focus on Faculty completed. Theme was “Retention and Connecting with Our Students.” Approximately 50 full time faculty and adjunct professors attended.

4. Further integrate adjunct faculty into the life of the college through orientation meeting and information on teaching workshops and mental health, academic honesty, and other resources.
December Update:
• Adjunct faculty welcomed at a half-day orientation and reception in August. One “Open Conversation” for adjuncts held in fall; adjunct faculty has been invited to and attended the “Teaching Matters” lunch-time workshops.

5. Further develop technology support for faculty (See Information Technology Portion of this document).

6. Maintain new faculty mentor/mentee program.
December Update:
• Program began with a full-day orientation program in August and two receptions at the Provost’s home during the fall. Those present at the second reception attended a dance concert on campus afterward.

7. Increase participation in Grant Circles.
December Update:
• Three faculty meet month with Grants Coordinator. Each identified and developing grant proposals. The number of participants last year was two, and three this year.

8. Increase participation in New York University’s Faculty Resource Network.
December Update:
• Faculty participated in the University Associates program (providing NYU library privileges) and one has been accepted to “Network Winter,” a weeklong seminar on Hispanic literature in Puerto Rico.

9. Continue to deliver and improve monthly Scholarship Circles.
December Update:
• 10 faculty in two groups, led by the Provost and Associate Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Anne Schotter. Meet monthly to encourage scholarly projects and share work-in-progress.

10. Conduct Academic Department Chair program with Dr. Peter Seldin.
December Update:
• Academic Department Chair retreat completed. Focus on annual goals, Chair Leadership, Assessment.

11. Deliver four Faculty Forums a year.
December Update:
• Two research presentations during the fall: Dr. Nick Richardson (Chemistry) and Dr. Alison Smith (History).

 12. Recognize faculty scholarship and creativity through awards dinner and receptions for book
publications and gallery shows.
December Update:
• Faculty Awards Dinner- December 2, 2008
• Three Book signings during fall term for Dr. Natalie Edwards, Dr. Christopher Hogarth, and Dr. John Esser. Each released new books.

13. Promotion and Tenure Review.
i. Review and clarify recommendation for promotion and tenure policy.
ii. Create a repository space for Promotion and Tenure, portfolio review by
faculty who are seeking model portfolio.
iii. Deliver promotion and tenure workshops conducted by Faculty Personal Committee (FPC).
December Update:
• Fall workshop completed for junior faculty
• Fall Town Meeting discussed possibilities of linking promotion and tenure
• FPC addressing definition of scholarship, linking promotion and tenure, reviewing the promotion and tenure process as now appears in the Faculty Handbook. Will continue in earnest during spring term.

XI. Faculty Research, Scholarship and Grants

1. Distribute $220,000 to support faculty development and scholarship.
December Update:
• Approximately $50,000 distributed for faculty aid in fall. Anonymous Donor funds, Fox Fellow Funds, Robinson Fellow Funds, Mollica New Funds distributed to faculty for 2008-2009)

2. Increase grant submissions money by 10%.
December Update:
• In process of submitting grants

3. Increase external grant funding by 5%. (2007-2008 funding was approximately $200,000 Wagner Principal Investigators, approximately $520,000 in collaborations.)
December Update:
• In process of submitting grants. This semester, four external grants submitted by faculty, for a total of $156,000.. Conduct monthly Grant Support Circles.
December Update:
• Grants Circle meeting monthly.

4. Submit indirect cost recovery application.
December Update:
• Not yet begun.

 XII. Graduate Programs

1. Complete feasibility study for following graduate programs: Doctorate in Education; Doctorate in Nursing Practice.
December Update:
• Education Department moving forward with proposal. Plans for submission to the appropriate college bodies for their review by the end of the academic year.
• Nursing Department: Not yet begun.

2. Establish potential Manhattan site for Master in Business Administration.
December Update:
• On hold.

3. Increase graduate enrollment by 2%.
December Update:
• Enrollment up five percent (374 from 356) over last fall.

4. Establish collaboration with the Marketing and Communication Office to identify a graduate programs marketing plan.
December Update:
• A discussion paper presented to senior staff in October 2008.

5. Assess the Certificate in Educational Leadership program.
December Update:
• Not yet begun

6. Fully assess the efficacy of the New Teachers’ Academy.
December Update:
• Not yet begun

7. Assess efficacy of the Accelerated MBA pilot program.
December Update:
• Will occur in spring.

8. Further integrate the Physician’s Assistant program into the Wagner College
Community.
December Update:
• All program operations now located on Wagner College campus.

9. Implement outreach for Physician Assistants to return to Wagner to complete the MS in the Physician Assistant Program.
December Update:
• Letters sent to alumni of the program encouraging them to enter Master’s program in order to acquire credential that will be required to continue practice in the future.

XIII. Information Technology (IT)

1. Enhance our ability to meet the technical support needs of the campus:
a) Create a Data Center to ensure that the servers that run critical campus functions are in an environmentally controlled location
December Update:
• Plans in place; waiting for funding approval.

b) Upgrade the technology running the website for improved editing capabilities.
December Update:
• The technology has been upgraded and we have four sites running the new software. Will spend the remainder of the year working with people across campus to move their sites to the new software.

c) Have three staff members attend conferences/training to improve their skills.
December Update:
• Four individuals attended the Educause conference in October.

2. Increase the use of technology in the classroom:
a) Continue to work with faculty on both Moodle and multimedia equipment.
December Update:
• Twelve new full-time and adjunct faculty trained on Moodle this semester; 15 faculty and staff members received multimedia training this semester.

b) Expand the use of Wagnerpedia across campus to support the Wagner Plan.
December Update:
• Wagnerpedia adopted in more classes. Three national presentations on how Wagnerpedia is supporting the Wagner Plan and the integration of classroom and community.

c) Pilot an e-portfolio program, with special emphasis on integration with ideas on a co-
curricular transcript
December Update:
• Page has been created on Wagnerpedia that describes the two methods that have been developed for students to create e-portfolios and the pros and cons of each method (Wagnerpedia and using software provided through the Center for Academic and Career Development). Graduate assistant within Academic Computing promoting e-portfolios to the students. Currently, 54 student e-portfolios on Wagnerpedia, in various stages of development.

3. Wireless Expansion:
a) Expand the wireless network to the residence halls.
December Update:
• Harborview and Guild Halls wireless. Conducted survey of the resident students to determine where coverage is spotty. Will be adding additional wireless portals in areas of Harborview to improve coverage over winter break. Have also begun planning to make Towers wireless summer 2009.

 b) Create easier procedures for legitimate campus visitors to access the wireless network
December Update:
• Completed.
4. Increase the capacity of the campus to perform business online
a) Assist the Admissions Office in moving towards an online application.
December Update:
• Completed.
b) Assist the Office of Graduate Studies in moving to an online application.
December Update:
• Anticipate being able to start this project after the first of the year.
c) Work with Financial Aid to streamline student employment procedures.
December Update:
• The first phase of this has been completed and anticipating moving to phase two sometime spring semester.

5. Improve information sharing among campus offices
a) Begin the move to a web interface for Jenzabar CX for campus offices
December Update:
• Plans in place; waiting for funding approval.

6. Assess requirements and pilot VoIP (internet phone service)
December Update:
• Meeting with company representatives on this project within the next two months.

7. Continue to work on our technology disaster recovery plan that specifies procedures to maintain
the College website, email, and business servers for both the short- and long-term.
December Update:
• Continue with project and review options for off-site data storage. Early discussions to plan a simulated emergency exercise for the campus in which the IT operation is damaged.

XIV. Learning Communities and Deepening Wagner Plan

A. First Year Program
Assess process of the first year student placement.
December Update:
• Surveys distributed to Learning Communities and Site Supervisors. Will assess for spring 2009.

Identify patterns between First Year LC placement and student retention/attrition.
December Update:
• Patterns of FYLC placement and student retention will be assessed during intersession.
1. Place freshmen taking learning communities in appropriate sites following the community-based placement model.
December Update:
• Faculty will assess the student placements and the appropriateness of community based Placements

2. Increase participation in the First Year Program Faculty for fall 2009
December Update:
• Alexa Dietrich (Anthropology) and Dr. Di (Economics) will be joining the FYP in Fall 2009.

3. Facilitate a positive learning environment between community agencies, faculty, students and parents.
December Update:
• In progress.

4. Plan, organize and implement the Community Partners Luncheon in the spring to recognize the contributions of our community partners. Integrate this luncheon into Civic Engagement Recognition Day.
December Update:
• Date set for Community Partners Luncheon and Civic Engagement Recognition Day,
April 23, 2009.

5. Assess the Learning Communities, Experiential Learning component and the First Year Program.
December Update:
• Assessment will occur beginning of spring term.

6. Improve the transportation of students to their experiential sites.
December Update:
• Van service responsibility of the Associate Provost. Students request van service via email.

7. Dean of Learning Communities and Director of the Center for Leadership and Service collaborate to integrate Civic Innovations classes into the First Year Program.
December Update:
• Eight of the 21 FYP LCs are participating in Civic Innovations.

B. Intermediate Learning Communities

1. Implement and assess new policy of required writing component in each ILC.
December Update:
• These will be assessed spring 2009.

2. Assess writing assignments through learning community syllabi.
December Update:
• Each ILC has an appropriate writing assignment in the LC Syllabi.

3. Track students enrolled in the Intermediate Learning Communities.
December Update:
• Data base updated and letters were sent to Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores who still need the ILC.

4. Assess Intermediate Learning Communities.
December Update:
• These will be assessed beginning of spring term.

5. Increase team taught Expanding Your Horizons ILC’s by two.
December Update:
• This academic year there will not be any team taught Expanding Your Horizons ILCs.

C. Senior Learning Communities

1. Establish standards for all Senior Learning Communities, in conjunction with general education goals and institutional student learning outcomes.
December Update:
• Discussed Student Learning Outcomes as an important assessment for Middle States. Each major is to develop Learning Goals for major in relation to General Education goals and College student learning outcomes.

2. Each department complete senior learning assessment tools appropriate for their
discipline.
December Update:
• Each Department requested to submit the assessment methods used to assess their
seniors

3. Maintain a data base of all senior students that includes: practica, research projects or
final product (e.g. performance).
December Update:
• Data base continually updated for students taking the SLC in the Fall. These data will be used to publish the Senior brochure for graduation after the spring seniors have taken their SLC

4. Increase attendance at Senior Student Presentations.
December Update:
• Senior Presentations held during Senior Week on the day of Baccalaureate.
Faculty and student peers encouraged to attend student presentations Update and make more interactive Senior Learning Community website.
December Update:
• SLC website updated with greater interactivity

5. Update Senior Learning Community Guide.
December Update:
• The new guide printed and available January 2009.

XV. Library

1. Increase library holdings: digital (two databases) and monographs (5%).
December Update:
• Due to budget constraints, the additional resources will fall short of the stated goal.

2. Create a space for the Center for Teaching, Learning and Research.
December Update:
• Funds solicited with the project projected for spring semester

3. Develop comprehensive plan for main floor spaces including best usage of the Spotlight Gallery.
December Update:
• Staff is in the process of preparing a three-phase reorganization plan for the main floor.

4. Explore new funding initiatives with the Friends of the Library Committee and Institutional Advancement, including development of a Library Needs List.
December Update:
• Library “needs list” was completed in September and forwarded to Institutional Advancement and the Friends of the Library committee. Will be included in the next issue of the newsletter

5. Identify and purchase security shelving for the Edwin Markham book collection on main floor to prevent loss and deterioration.
December Update:
• No action taken to date.

6. Implement four days per week of 24-hour library service in the fall 2008.
December Update:
• Goal completed. 24-hour service began on Sept. 21. To date, 184 is the average number of students in the library between the busiest hours of 12:00 midnight to 3:00 am.

7. In collaboration with IT, significantly expand the library’s online presence by creating a digital repository using open source software.
December Update:
• Grant funding for this initiative requested in November. Decision will be rendered in January. Open source software configured for use by Systems Librarian and the Horrmann archivist.

8. Re-structure and formalize relationship between librarian liaisons and academic departments for more effective collaboration.
December Update:
• Action awaits the November 19th Faculty Library Committee.

XVII. Registrar

1. Create Wagner College’s first Fact book.
December Update:
• Review other institutions' Fact Books and data that are available on their websites. This objective has been met.
• Determined a simple, modified format that we are proposing to be coined, “Wagner-at-a-Glance.” Anticipated completion by February 1, 2009.

 2. Establish policy with Center for Academic and Career Development (CACD) for transcript
release.
December Update:
• Completed. Each student must complete “Transcript Request Interview” before transcript is released.

3. Continue working with the National Student Clearinghouse on Enrollment Verifications.
December Update:
• Calendar of data submission dates established with the Clearinghouse. Web access to Enrollment Verify will become available when Degree Verify completed.

4. Implement Degree Verify with National Student Clearinghouse.
December Update:
• Data prepared and sent to the National Student Clearinghouse. Currently working with the Clearinghouse to verify and update past data for accuracy.

5. Establish collaboration with Admissions on the Student Tracker module in the National Student Clearinghouse database thereby allowing Admissions to “track” the institution where a student has transferred.
December Update:
• To be implemented when items 3 and 4 (above) are completed.

6. Create paperless environment with faculty through increased use of WWAM.
December Update:
• All faculty members, including Adjuncts, are able to obtain semester Class-Lists, enter Mid-Semester and Final Grades via WWAM. WWAM does not allow
faculty to submit Attendance Information; that feature is available via JICS. Faculty must continue to submit paper copies of their attendance records to the Registrar. Student
attendance records are necessary for Federal reporting purposes.

7. Investigate pro’s and con’s of online course evaluations. Decision to be made by May 2009.

8. Work with CACD, IT, and Department Chairs to enhance online registration, to improve service to students and faculty.
December Update:
• Testing the recommended revised system of pre-registration groups to
improve student access. Will assess and review data after all students have registered.

9. Prepare calendar of due dates and types of reports/data required by the Provost to ensure timely reporting structure.
December Update:
• Work with the Provost to determine relationship between list of data and reports needed.

10. Implement Degree Audit System in Jenzabar CX.
December Update:
• Degree Audit System in place. Currently in the process of proofing each program, including majors, minors and concentrations against college bulletins since 2005 for changes to each programs and to make updates as deemed necessary.

Student Connection and Retention

1. Increase student retention (freshman to sophomore, sophomore to junior) by 2%.
December Update:
• Will be assessed in January and May

2. Collaborate with the VP for Strategic Planning and Enrollment on strategic retention plan.
December Update:
• Multiple retention efforts in place

3. Establish an “exit interview/transcript release policy” between Registrar and CACD.
December Update:
• Completed. See #1
December Update:
• Policy established so that students requesting transcript for purposes of transfer must meet with a staff member in CACD to discuss plans/goals.
See #1

4. Identify student attrition and retention patterns; Identify strategies for addressing.
December Update:
• In progress. Active.

5. Establish “Wagner” program that focuses on maintaining new student coaching and mentoring.
December Update:
• Wagner GPS program established (see section II, Academic and Career Development for more information).

6. Continue the Provost Dozen monthly meetings with targeted students from each department.
December Update:
• Inactive this semester

7. Establish departmental plan for student retention in majors.
December Update:
• No generalizable discussion as of yet.

8. Increase the percentage of faculty submitting “Mid-Semester Feedback Forms.” by 10%.

9. Increase faculty participation in the Focus on Faculty “Student Connections” symposium.
December Update:
• Completed and met.

10. Increase student involvement and participation in academically based co-curricular programs (Honors Program, Pre-Health, Pre-Law, Speech and Debate, Disciplinary Honors Programs).
December Update:
• 58 active members of the Pre-Health Program (based on attendance from our recent meetings).
• 170 students in the Honors Program. Added Honors Living and Learning Floor and increased the number of on-campus gatherings, in addition to offering the Manhattan and Philadelphia trips in the spring.

XVIX. Summer School

1. Increase summer school enrollment by 2%.
December Update:
• Summer 2007 total enrollment: 536
Summer 2008 total enrollment: 556
Increased by 4%.

2. Support 5 electronically delivered summer school courses.

XX. Visibility, Local and National

1. At least eight faculty present Wagner Plan and related accomplishments at national meetings.
December Update:
• Goal met.

2. At least 5 administrators present Wagner Plan and related accomplishments at national meetings.
December Update:
• Goal met.

3. At least 3 publications related to Wagner Plan and other accomplishments accepted in national
venues.
December Update:
• Goal met.

4. At least one article to appear in the Chronicle of Higher Education that focuses on Wagner
College accomplishments.
December Update:
• Chronicle of Higher Education Reporter visited Wagner College. Wagner College story anticipated to appear in Chronicle in January or February.

5. Apply for the CHEA award.
December Update:
• Application sent 10/2008.

6. Apply for President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
December Update:
Application sent Fall 2008.

7. Apply for Carnegie Classification as a “Community Engaged” Campus.
December Update:
Application sent Fall 2008.