CENTER FOR COUNSELING & STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

Sharon Thomas-Parker, Director

Mission Statement

The Center for Counseling and Student Development at Savannah State University supports the mission of the University by facilitating each student’s development, furthering his or her academic pursuits by providing services within the community mental health model: individuals, couples, and group counseling; outreach; psycho-educational classes and workshops; teaching in academic programs; continuing research responsive to current psychological concerns.   Developing and maintaining a positive psychological climate on campus by promoting personal growth, respecting and supporting cultural pluralism within our diverse community is central to the Center.  Training future professionals in the field of social work, clinical and counseling psychology and related fields.  Lastly, responding to community and campus needs by providing equal access to services for all participants.

Vision Statement

To provide students with the appropriate counseling and supportive services necessary to assist them in more effectively coping with life’s daily challenges and in gaining the knowledge and skills that are necessary to survive in an ever changing society.                                                                                                                              

Guiding Principles

The Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) adheres to several major guiding principles that include the following: Responsibility, Confidentiality, Organization, Collaboration, Integrity/Professionalism, and Customer Service.

1.        The Center for Counseling and Student Development will be accessible and convenient to students.

2.        The director of the Center for Counseling and Student Development will articulate a vision for the organization; set goals and objectives, prescribe and practice ethical behavior; recruit, select, supervise, and develop others in the organization; manage, plan, budget, and evaluate; communicate effectively; and require cooperative action from colleagues, employees, other institutional constituencies, and persons from the community.

3.        The CCSD will provide counseling services, workshops and other programs in a culturally sensitive and caring manner that will meet the needs of a diverse student body.

4.        The staff of the CCSD will obtain, provide and coordinate training efforts to maintain and promote good mental health as well as healthy behaviors.

5.        The professional, para-professional and intern staff of the CCSD will safeguard the integrity and confidentiality of student information.

6.        The staff of the CCSD will plan, organize and participate in campus and community activities and events that will assure that Savannah State University maintains a positive reputation as well as promote and maximize the resources for the populations served.

Primary Clients

1.        Students

2.         Staff/Faculty

3.         Community

Summary of Functions, Services, & Tasks Provided

1.        Provide workshops with personal growth themes

2.        Assist students who are in crisis

3.        Work in conjunction with the Harris-McDew Student Health Center to provide abstinence education programs

4.        Counsel students with social, academic and/or personal concerns

5.        Train peer counselors

6.        Provide orientation for new and transfer students

7.        Assist students who have disabilities with registration, reader services, in-class support, and test accommodations

8.        Assist student in referrals to outside agencies

9.        Provide consultative services to faculty, staff and students

10.     Volunteer services within the community on different programs (i.e. Union Mission, South Effingham Senior Project Judge, Promise Keepers)

11.     Available for collaborative efforts with all departments on campus.

12.     Provide tutorial services to students

13.     Provide counseling services for those students withdrawing from the University

Basic Performance Indicators:

Cost Effectiveness:  In 1990 it cost $13,028.41 per month to operate the Center for Counseling & Student Development.  In 1999-2000 it cost $31,596.33 per month to operate the CCSD, which is a significant increase in operating cost.

Time Efficiency: The average appointment or walk-in time can vary depending on the student, faculty or staff issue.   Therefore, it has been documented that most student spend one hour with a counselor.  However, in extreme situations students can spend as much as three hours with a counselor.

Staff Productivity: During the 1999-2000 academic year there were approximately 662 students who utilized the services of the Center for Counseling and Student Development.  During this time period there was a staff of two professional counselors employed in the CCSD.

Customer Satisfaction: Through evaluations and surveys students have rated the services of the Center for Counseling and Student Development as excellent.  Therefore, it is our sense that students perceive the Center’s staff as   professional and knowledgeable. It has been our goal to let students know that they are the reason we are here. Therefore, we advocate an open door policy.

Higher Education Benchmark: The standards are the same in the state of                         Georgia.   Monitored by the Board of Regents. Each institution must abide by the Board of Regents institutional policy and their set of rules specifically designated for Counseling Center’s. Each institution operates the same across the board, with few differences.

Initiative Responsiveness:  We continue to increase the awareness that the

Center for Counseling and Student Development is available to provide academic, personal and social support to students with disabilities according to                              ADA guidelines.  We are initiating a Drug and Alcohol Resource Center, which will be staffed by the CCSD. In addition, we are establishing an exit interview process for those students who are graduating or withdrawing.

Planning Objectives

Goal #1:         To increase the latest technology available, in order to better serve our disabled students,  (Computers, Graphic Displays, Word Processors, Lap Top Computers, Print Enlargement Devices, Talking Books, Recorders).

Action Steps:

1. Evaluate existing equipment; eliminate equipment that is not working.
2. Follow-up existing equipment request for disable students.
3. Establish contact with existing vendors on newest equipment available for students with disabilities.
4. Search for internal & external funds (grants, donations, etc.)
5. Determine what equipment other universities are using, in order that we can increase our inventory to that level.
6. Collaborate with other offices on the campus, which already have the equipment and provide referrals to them.

Expected Outcome(s):

1. Improved quality of service to our students.
2. Students will be exposed to latest technology.
3. Students will be equipped with the skills necessary to compete in global economy.
4. Will attract more disabled students/increase enrollment.
5. Students have a centralized location and will not have to go all over campus to use equipment.

Effectiveness Measurement Techniques:

1. Surveys
2. Benchmarks-determine how we stack-up against other universities.
3. Self-evaluations
4. Advisory Board
5. Round-table discussions

Goal #2:                To increase the awareness of services provided by the Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD).

Action Steps:

1. Establish a schedule for visiting classes in each academic discipline.
2. Conduct workshops in Freshman Orientation Classes.
3. Conduct workshops in the Residence Halls.
4. Run advertisement in Tiger Roar’s newspaper, and public announcement on radio.
5. Conduct Counseling Awareness Week in the spring and fall semesters.

Expected Outcome(s):

1. Students will be better informed.
2. Students will increase their academic performance.
3. Students will develop better coping skills.
4. Students will develop longer and lasting interpersonal relationships.
5. Increases retention rate.

Effectiveness Measurement Techniques:

1. CCSD evaluation form
2. CCSD Orientation evaluation forms
3. Tabulation of sign-in sheets
4. Tabulation of withdrawal forms (students exiting the University) 
5. Monitor complaints

Goal #3:                 To provide academic and social support to disable students according to the ADA guidelines.

Action Steps:

1.             Establish Advisory Council with at least one disabled student as a member.

2.             Meet with all disabled students monthly to identify concerns.

3.             Purchase the latest software to assist disabled students.

4.             Establish a support group for disabled students.

5.             Provide a social event geared towards those students with disabilities.

Expected Outcome(s):

1. The quality of services for disabled students will increase.
2. Student’s level of self-esteem will increase.
3. Student’s ability to assimilate with general population will be self-evident.
4. Students will have a sense of connectiveness with the University.

Effectiveness Measurement Techniques:

1. Disabled students evaluate our services.
2. Collect data over a five-year period, assess program throughout.
3. Self-evaluation.
4. Outside evaluation from other sources.
5. Comparative                 study with other universities as a benchmark assessment.

Goal #4:                 To initiate a Drug and Alcohol Awareness Center by incorporating principles established by BACCHUS & GAMMA, and TASK FORCE PLANNER (George Mason University Program).  Increase the awareness of SSU Drug & Alcohol Program

Action Steps:

1. Contact BACCHUS & GAMMA, and TASK FORCE PLANNER programs.
2. Continue Red Ribbon Week.
3. Conduct workshops on drug and alcohol awareness
4. Initiate a task force committee on alcohol and drug awareness (Social Work Department/Harris McDew Student Health Center)
5. Initiate a partnership with local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Blacks Against Drunk Driving (BADD).

Expected Outcome(s):

1.      Establish  the first phase of a drug free environment.

2.        Provide students with alternatives to alcohol and drugs.

3.        Students will be better informed, thus able to make a more wise decision.

4.        Students will choose abstaining over drinking or doing drugs.

5.        Students will perform better, both academically and socially.

Effectiveness Measurement Techniques:

1. Collect Logs
2. Maintain evaluation form of services rendered
3. Administer assessment tool from Governor’s office during Alcohol Screening Week
4. Compare results of screening to other universities with similar populations
5. Assess opinions of round table discussions from students and faculty

Goal #5:                 To increase the attendance of staff members in professional training.

Action Steps:

1. CCSD staff will attend at least three professional training seminars per year.
2. Identify other organizations that can support the Center for Counseling and Student Development’s mission.
3. Establish network among professionals and peers.
4. Host professional training seminars.
5. Generate grant money to supplement attendance at conventions and seminars.

Expected Outcome(s):

1.  Staff will be better informed of latest technological advances.

2.  Staff will be on an even playing field with its competitors.

3.  Increase in the quality of services provided to students.

4.  Increased professional development.

5.  Increase in the quality of services provided to students.

Effectiveness Measurement Techniques:

1. Record number of professional training seminars attended.
2. Compare our services to other institutions and make improvements where necessary.
3. Generate a report of shared experiences at each seminar attended.
4. Allow students to evaluate any new programs initiated as a result of attending.
5. Critique all seminars and training attended, recommended only that training which provided the University with the greater results.

Last Update:  02/16/01