|
|
|
|
SECTION V: EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICESThe College provides a variety of services to support its educational purpose. These services include the library, computers, instructional support services, and a full range of student development services. For all of these support services, expected results and assessment procedures have been identified. The Asa H. Gordon Library is a modern, two-story, circular structure, which has a total of 61,972 square feet and seats approximately three hundred-eighty five (385) patrons. The first floor of the building houses a display area, bound and current periodicals, the microfilm collection, the card catalog, and microfilm reading machines. This area is also the site of copying equipment and work areas: a Xerox machine, a FAX machine, study carrels, staff offices, and a technical processing work area. The second floor houses all unbound periodicals, the Audio Visual Center, study carrels, reading rooms, typing rooms, a classroom, and book stacks which hold the main portion of the circulating book collection. Upholstered chairs and sofas, which create an atmosphere conducive to learning, are located throughout the library. The library is an integral part of the teaching and learning environment. All academic departments share in the responsibility for acquiring and maintaining the library collection. Faculty members are encouraged to make book and periodical requests as frequently as they wish, and such requests are usually honored as budgetary constraints permit. To create and maintain balance in the collection, academic departments whose holdings are limited have been able to increase their requests in recent years. The mission of the library is consistent with the purpose of the College. The library has two primary objectives and has identified expected results and assessment procedures for each of them, thus regularly evaluating its effectiveness. The first objective is to maintain an adequate, quality collection, comprised of curricular and co-curricular materials, and meeting the educational needs of undergraduate and graduate students as well as the professional needs of faculty and staff. The expected result is that the library will have a collection of materials which adequately supports the teaching and research efforts of the faculty and the educational requisites of the students. This is assessed by checking holdings against recommended lists and by faculty and student responses on surveys. These win determine how well the library meets the materials needs of its users. The second objective is to establish and maintain a high quality of services that will promote the academic program of the College and encourage library use. The expected results are that these services will include instruction to patrons in the use of the library and library materials, provision of appropriate information to patrons, photocopying, and interlibrary loans. The resources and services available to patrons shall be made known to them through various types of publicity. Computers and CDROM products will be used as funds permit. The library uses surveys to ascertain the quality of the services offered. The monies allocated for books, periodicals, and other materials and equipment and for the operation of the library have increased steadily from $434,176 in 1985-86 to $659,682 in 1989-90. Table V-1 shows Library expenditures for five academic years. The library attempts to maintain an adequate collection and provide adequate resources. In 1987, the last year for which such figures are available, the medium expenditure per Full Time Equivalent (FTE) for similar size institutions which reported such figures to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools was $208; Savannah State College spent $259 per EFT in 1987, putting it in the highest percentile. Special allocations are made from time to time to increase the holdings. For example, $100,000 has been provided to enable the library to increase its holdings in public administration and social work to meet the needs of new graduate programs. Table V-1: Allocations and Expenditures, 1985-1990 Allocations 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 Regular budget 434,176 440,326 431,831 483,776 508,689 Title 111 24,771 32,655 35,000 Quality 5,900 20,975 15,993 Graduate studies 100,000
Expenditures Salaries 292,307 221,658 182,290 223,693 250,340 Benefits 62,388 51,314 63,580 70,419 Books 37,608 34,643 44,182 87,754 97,098 Periodicals 67,948 69,397 78,995 85,450 86,233 Equipment 2,269 2,592 23,556 14,425 105,213 Total Expenditures 464,825 430,881 448,506 530,437 609,303 E & G 15,535,752 15,415,627 16,173,387 17,008,000 17,801,168 Percent of E & G 2.9% 2.7% 2.77% 3.0% 3.4% Services include instruction on use of the library, audio-visual services, bibliographic services, and publication of a bulletin several times each year listing recent acquisitions, new services, and changes in policies. The library is open seven days a week at times designed to accommodate the needs of a varied and diverse (regular, part-time, and non-traditional) student body. The library is open 82 hours each week according to the following schedule of operation: Monday through Thursday8 am to 11 pm; Friday8 am to 5 pm; Saturday12 noon to 5 pm; Sunday 2 pm to 10 pm The library plays an important role in the teaching and learning process. The library has the resources (physical facilities, staff, and funding) to support academic programs at the College, and efforts are being made to maintain and expand the collections. Library services and resources are available to campus and community users for a total of fourteen hours during the weekend. There are special hours during the holidays and examination periods. Library hours are adequate to serve the needs of patrons as shown by the following approval rating by faculty, administrators, and students responding to the survey: 76 percent of the faculty, 93 percent of the administrators, and 88 percent of the students rated these hours of operation from satisfactory to excellent. Seventy-one percent of the staff rated the overall services of the library from satisfactory to excellent. The library operates with an open stack policy and provides patrons (both on campus and commuting) easy access to books, periodicals, journals, and other reference materials. A survey of on-campus patrons (students, faculty and administrators) shows that the circulation system and the lending policies of the library are satisfactory. Specific procedures ensure effective operation. They include notifying patrons when books are overdue, restricting the use of magazines to use only within the library, providing library cards to students and faculty at Savannah State College and Armstrong State College as well as to members of the community, provision for reserve books (consisting of both library holdings and reference books belonging to the faculty), and the provision of space for reading newspapers. The schedule of loan services from 1985 through 1989 show that services to other libraries averaged fifty one (51) requests per year and increased by an annual average of 30 percent. Requests for materials from other libraries averaged one hundred fifteen (115) during the same period, for an average annual increase of 3.5 percent. The library maintains and operates computing facilities to assist its patrons in a variety of ways. They include on-line searches and bibliographic services. The computing facilities are also used for database management of library records (holdings and collections), to generate financial reports, and for keeping student recorDS. Media services are available in the Media Services Center temporarily located on the second floor of the library. Although housed in the college library, effective November 9, 1990, all media services fall under the aegis of the Director of Radio and Media Services. Presently, the Center is also staffed by Audio-Visual Technicians/Photographers and part time work study students. The Center administers activities to enhance designed programs and/or activities outlined in the institutional academic calendar, and annual programs sanctioned by the Office of the President to include, but not limited to, activities or programs sponsored by individuals or groups from within the community, also, Greek events/activities initiated as educationally or professionally enriching and endorsed by the Vice President of Students Affairs, and/or any other annual programs of value to the administration, faculty, staff and students including athletic program are covered by Media Services. An extensive collection of state-of-the-art visual and audio equipment, films and videotapes, filmstrips and slides, and reproduction facilities are also available through the Center. Films may be ordered through the Georgia Education Audio Visual Service, a collaborative system increasing the number and diversity films and other materials available to faculty and staff for use in the instructional process. In addition, the Media Services Center provides the following: (a) Instructional development, which includes assisting the faculty in selecting the equipment, aids, and methods best suited to their needs; (b) Production support, which provides assistance in producing and/or designing slides and in making electronic stencils and transparencies, the use of overhead projectors, and mimeographing; (c) Utilization support, which provides films, filmstrips, tapes, and projection equipment. These aids may be borrowed by faculty and staff for use in classrooms, laboratories, or other locations, or they may be used in the library; and (d) Telecommunication support, which includes the production of videotapes for instructional purposes and recruitment. A catalog of library holdings, collections, and facilities is kept downstairs and is readily available for use by patrons. A courteous, friendly staff is always available to assist patrons. Circulation statistics are maintained in the library to record the use of books and reference materials for study and research. Media services were rated from satisfactory to excellent by 87 percent of the faculty surveyed and by 86 percent of administrators in a recent survey. Miscellaneous services provided by the library include compilation of bibliographies on various subjects for faculty use or for use by other patrons. From time to time the library staff compiles bibliographies on current events in anticipation of requests. In addition to purchasing materials requested by the faculty, the library staff is committed to working with the faculty in assisting students to use resource materials effectively. The Self-Study surveys of faculty and students provide evidence of faculty satisfaction with usefulness of the collection and the helpfulness of the staff. Asked to rate the usefulness of the library for preparing class assignments, 89 percent of the faculty members expressed satisfaction. On the courtesy and helpfulness of the library staff, 90 percent expressed satisfaction. Levels of student satisfaction were even higher; 94 percent were satisfied with the usefulness for preparing class assignments and 91 percent were satisfied with the courtesy and helpfulness of the staff. Data from several departmental and school self-study reports indicate that current holdings in the library are adequate for current needs. According to the standards set by the American Library Association (ALA), the library has earned an "A" rating. According to the formula used by the American Library Association, the College should have a minimum of 154,770 volumes. The total of 225,296 volumes in the collection far exceed that number. The quality of the collection is determined by evaluating the library collection against standard bibliographies such as Choice by the ALA, Books for College Libraries, and the Technical Book Review Index. The library maintains unique collections such as the Negro collection. There is also an exceptional collection in political science. Holdings in sciences and technology have increased substantially in recent years. The addition of master's degree programs in public administration and social work will require the expansion of the holdings of journals and periodicals in these areas. These additional needs are being addressed by recent acquisitions and will be fully met in the near future. In order to support master's degree programs, the library has received an additional allocation of one hundred thousand dollars from the Special Funding Initiative of the Board of Regents. In addition to using standard bibliographies to evaluate the library collection, the library personnel conducts user surveys regularly and encourages students, faculty and staff to submit suggestions for new materials and services. Through continuous evaluation, damaged and outdated material as well as unnecessary duplicates are removed from the collection. The library is staffed by experienced professionals who hold appropriate degrees and by qualified paraprofessionals. The staff consists of five full-time professionals. Each of the five professionals holds the Master's Degree in Library Science. The head librarian holds the Master of Business Administration and the J.D. degrees in addition to the M.S.L.S.. The professional staff is supported by ten paraprofessionals, two of whom hold the Bachelor of Science degree; two, the Bachelor of Arts degree; one, a vocational school certificate; and four, high-school diplomas. The paraprofessionals serve in the A-V Center, reader services, and other technical areas. The paraprofessional staff is further supported by student workers. Staff members have clearly defined job descriptions, and each one has a specific set of responsibilities. The list of responsibilities is on file in the director's office. The Director of the Library is appointed by the President and serves as the leader and coordinator of library services. The director is responsible to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Additionally, the director is a member of the faculty, an associate member of the Administrative Council, and an ex-officio member of all standing committees which address matters pertaining to the library. Three members of the professional staff hold faculty rank-one as an associate professor and two as instructors. As members of the faculty, they are accorded tenure, rank, and promotions. Tenure and promotions are awarded in accordance with the regulations included in the Faculty Handbook and in Policies: Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. 5.2.4 Institutional Relationships The Gordon Library has no formal agreements with other libraries except for the standard inter-library loan service. As a unit of the University System of Georgia, the College allows students and faculty members of other institutions in the area to use its facilities. Its relationships with other libraries do not in any way affect its responsibility for providing its own adequate and accessible library resources and services. To enhance its curriculum and support its faculty and students in the teaching/learning process, the College provides a variety of facilities and instructional support services including specialized laboratories, learning development centers, audio-visual services and duplicating services. (5.3a) Laboratory Facilities: School of Business The campus academic computer center (the PRIME Laboratory) is under the aegis of the School of Business and is housed in Whiting Hall, Room 122. There are 42 workstations connected to a PRIME 750 mainframe. The PRIME computer has been in service since summer of 1983. However, in the last several years personal computer networks have been installed, and have overtaken the PRIME as the primary academic computing medium. Consequently, the decision was made during the 1989-90 school year to discontinue the maintenance contract as of June 30, 1990. The computer will continue to be available to faculty and students as long as it is operable. Two personal computer laboratories are located in the School of Business Building; each has thirty workstations. Computers include IBM PS/2 Model 25s, IBM XTs, and IBM Model 50s. Some 50 to 100 students are served daily in these two laboratories. The ratio of students to workstation per laboratory session is one-to-one. The equipment is new and operative. Orientation, assistance, and reference are available from a computer operator and from student assistants. Manuals are available for the software on the file servers. A keyboarding laboratory located in Room 129 has 30 workstations. Four to five sections of keyboarding classes are scheduled each quarter. The ratio of students to workstations per section is one-to-one. The typewriters are old, but are well maintained. Orientation to the laboratory is by the respective instructor of the section. The laboratory is available for use other than class hours. (5.3b) Laboratory Facilities: School of Humanities and Social Sciences There are five laboratories located in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, all of which are available to students and faculty. Four of these laboratories are housed in Payne Hall, The New Liberal Arts Computer Laboratory, established with a grant from the Sloan Foundation and intended to assist in the integration of the computer and the liberal arts, is under the supervision of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. It is housed in Room 207 and is staffed by a full-time computer science technologist. The laboratory contains twenty eight workstations and is open for eight hours each day during the regular work week. Special arrangements can be made for supervised use at other times. Orientation is provided by the various faculty members and the technologist. All of the equipment is current and operative. Reading and Writing tutorial centers are under the aegis of the Department of Humanities. Earlier, these centers were designed as self-study laboratories for the University System Board of Regents' remediation programs in reading and writing. However, their services have been expanded to offer tutorials by faculty members who teach English. The laboratories are also available to students enrolled in regular English classes who are referred to the centers by their instructors. The speech/language audio equipment in the Reading Tutorial Center is obsolete and much of it is inoperative. The terminals (10) and the printer in the Writing Center are in a similar condition. In addition, the climate control is inadequate for this laboratory, which contributes to the condition of the equipment. There are 30 work stations in the Reading Unit and 15 workstations in the Writing Unit, but there are no laboratory assistants other than the volunteers from the English staff. The PLATO Computer Laboratory is operated by the Department of Humanities and is located in Payne Hall, Room 113. The laboratory hardware is linked to the mainframe at the University of Georgia. It mainly serves students in the Regents' remediation program and is also available to students enrolled in the Development Studies Program. There are 12 MacIntosh computers that are current and operative. Orientation and assistance are provided by a full-time laboratory assistant and/or the instructors. The laboratory is available during normal working hours, five days a week. Special arrangements can be made to use the facility at other times. The television and radio production laboratory is used mainly for students in the Mass Communications program. It is located in the John F. Kennedy Fine Arts Building. This facility contains state-of-the-art equipment, 95 percent of which is operative. It is available during the school week and is supervised by a faculty member who also provides the orientation and instruction. Manuals are available to assist students in operating the equipment. (5.3c) Laboratory Facilities: School of Sciences and Technology The Computer Literacy Laboratory in Hubert Hall provides basic computer instruction for students as well as computer assisted instruction in other courses. Instruction is provided by engineering technology faculty. There are 16 stand-alone Apple He computer stations, and 8 terminals are linked to the PRIME mainframe. Access to the laboratory is limited to faculty availability. There are four laboratories used for instruction in the physical sciences. All of them are located in Griffith-Drew Science Center: Physical Science, Room 211; Earth Science, Room 216; and Physics, Rooms 207 and 211. Orientation and instruction are provided by the respective faculty members. Most of the equipment is current and adequate. No more than two students have to share a workstation, and in most classes the ratio is one-to-one. The Computer Science Technology Laboratories are housed in Hubert Hall. The laboratory is primarily for majors in computer science technology, computer engineering technology, mathematics, and students enrolled in one of the programming courses. There are 42 workstations. Several of the computers are stand-alone units, while others are linked to the PRIME mainframe. Most of the equipment is current and additional hardware is being acquired. Orientation and instruction are provided by instructors. The chemistry laboratories are housed in two facilities--B.F. Hubert and Griffith-Drew Science Centers. The inorganic chemistry laboratory is located in Rooms 207-209, and the analytical chemistry laboratory is located in 206, Building D of Hubert. The physical, organic, and biochemistry as well as the instrumental laboratories are located in Griffith-Drew. The equipment is operative and current as well as adequate for the population it serves. The ratio of students to workstation is one-to-one. Orientation and instruction are provided by the same instructor who provides the lecture. The laboratories are available for use other than the scheduled class times The biology and life sciences laboratories are housed in Griffith-Drew and the marine biology laboratories are housed in the new Marine Biology Building. All laboratories for instruction are adequate for the students they serve, and the ratio of students to workstations is one-to-one. Orientation is provided by the same instructor who teaches the course. There are also three research laboratories (Rooms 124, 125, 128) which serve faculty and students involved in funded and/or individual research. In each research laboratory are three workstations which can accommodate four persons at a time. Students are supervised by the professor in charge of the research The Department of Engineering Technology uses sixteen laboratories, one of which is a combination lecture-laboratory facility; all of these laboratories are housed in the four buildings that comprise Hubert Hall. The electronics and computer engineering technology laboratories are located in Building C; the civil engineering technology laboratories are in Building B; the chemical engineering technology laboratory is in Building A; and the mechanical engineering technology laboratories are in Buildings A and B. More than 80 percent of the equipment is state-of-the-art, and most has been acquired during the last five years. (5.3d) Laboratories Facilities: Developmental Studies The Department of Developmental Studies has three laboratories in Whiting Hall: English, Mathematics, and Reading. Each laboratory is supervised by a program assistant. The laboratories are equipped with computers and other equipment to assist students. Books and other learning resources are available. Students in developmental studies are required to spend at least two hours each week in the laboratory for each developmental course in which they are enrolled. The equipment and teaching aids are upgraded regularly and are adequate. In general, the condition and adequacy of the College's laboratories range from good to excellent. College-wide surveys indicate general satisfaction with laboratories. The faculty survey revealed that 79 percent of the respondents were satisfied with the science laboratory facilities; 83 percent were satisfied with the adequacy of computers and computer laboratories; and 66 percent indicated that they used the computing facilities often or very often. Staff members responded that 72 percent of them were satisfied with the adequacy of computers and computer laboratories for students. Eighty-nine percent of the students were satisfied with the adequacy of science laboratory facilities and 86 percent were satisfied with the adequacy of computers and computer laboratories. Duplicating services are provided for all units in two centrally located centers. Several administrative and staff units have their own duplicating equipment. The Campus Services Center located in William K. Payne Hall provides clerical, photocopying, mimeographing, and related services. The Center will absorb the overflow of clerical work for a particular unit when the volume of work is greater than that unit's secretarial help can handle. If there is an extended absence of a secretary, the Center provides clerical assistance. Photocopying is available in the Copy/Mail Room located in the James A. Colston Administration Building. This facility is used mainly by units located nearby or when there is a need for the special capabilities of its equipment. Equipment for duplicating within the individual units ranges from easily operated spirit duplicating machines, to mimeograph machines, to photocopying machines of varied sophistication. Three coin-operated photocopying machines are located in the Gordon Library. There are also three copiers that can be used with microforms. Ninety-one percent of the students and 80 percent of the faculty members were satisfied with the availability of duplicating services. Table V-2: Inventory of Laboratories
5.4 COMPUTER RESOURCES AND SERVICES There has been rapid development of computer services and users at the College during the past ten years. In 1980, capabilities on the campus for academic and administrative computing were limited to access by telephone links to the University of Georgia Cyber from dumb terminals, a single-tasking mini-computer, and local and remote batch processing. In 1983, the PRIME 750 mini-computer was installed as the major vehicle for academic computing at the College the computer was purchased through Title III funds. The PRIME 750 was housed in Whiting Hall, then the location of the School of Business, and served faculty, students, and unit heads in the three Schools as well as the Offices of Personnel (through dial-up), Planning, and the Title III Office. The PRIME network to five buildings on the campus (Whiting, Payne, Herty, Hubert, Colston Administration) constituted the first minicomputer-based local area network (LAN) for the campus. Since 1985, the various departments and units have been encouraged by the Computer Advisory Committee to develop their own microcomputer-based local area networks. In 1986, the Committee, working with the Deans of the Schools, determined that the College would use Title III Grant funds to replace the PRIME 750 in 1990. However, after a survey of faculty and staff, it was determined that the system not be replaced and that the maintenance contract not be renewed. The maintenance contract expired June 30, 1990, but the system will remain in use as long as it is operational. The College has a five year plan for the installation of a campus-wide computer link to PEACHNET. PEACHNET will allow campus-wide access to computer power to the state-wide University System Computer Network. The initial plan is for PEACHNET to terminate in Whiting Hall, then link with Herty,Payne, and Hubert Halls, and the Colston Administration Building, forming the backbone for a campuswide LAN. Other offices to be added respectively will be the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Library, Health Services Center, Gymnasium, and eventually the Student Center (Counseling and Placement), and the Residence Halls. As of August, 1990, PEACHNET has been approved for installation, tentatively in October, 1990, with termination in Whiting Hall and connections with Herty, Payne, and the Business School Building. (5.4a) Policies, Procedures, and Administration of Computer Services Under executive order from the Governor, the State Electronics Data Processing (EDP) Committee must approve the acquisition of specific classes of computer systems, computer-related equipment, and computer software and services by any board, department, or agency of the State government. This executive order applies to the University System of Georgia. The Vice Chancellor for Information Technology heads the University System EDP Committee. All EDP requests for acquisition of specified classes of computer equipment within University System institutions require the approval of the College's Director of Computer Services, the Computer Advisory Committee, and the President of the College. The College has been delegated the authority to purchase, without system approval, peripherals and software for existing computers in such items cost less that $1,000 per item and/or have an aggregate cost of $10,000 or less for an individual purchase. The College Computer Advisory Committee executes the regulations for the State EDP Committee at the institutional level. The Committee is responsible for accepting recommendations for EDP requests from department and unit heads and completing and submitting the EDP recommendations to the College president, who in turn approves and forwards the requests to the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology. The Committee also develops a three-year EDP plan annually based on the input from all academic and administrative units. The Committee is chaired by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Other committee members include representatives from the staff, the administration, the faculty, and the College's Director of Computer Services, who also serves as the College's Institutional Representative to the University System Computer Network. The Institutional Representative also serves on the System Committee for Information Technology. The College's procurement policy requires that units intending to purchase computer equipment submit their requests to the Computer Advisory Committee. Requests are in turn: (1) disapproved and returned to the unit with comment; (2) approved subject to specific changes recommended by the Committee; or (3) approved for submission to the president of the College for review, approval, and forwarding to the same to the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology of the University System. (5.4b) Assignment of Priorities Both academic and administrative computer needs are determined at the department/unit level, justified at that level, and transmitted forward through the College's planning and budgeting process. Computer equipment purchased through grants is selected in the unit where the grant is housed and in accordance with the guidelines of the granting agency. The Computer Advisory Committee reviews all requests, and, if necessary, gives advice to ensure compatibility of equipment College-wide and/or to identify newer/different software to meet the expressed need. Funding for computer services is generated from one of four sources: Quality Improvement Funds, grants or contracts, Title III, regular state funds. Since the administrative and academic computing systems are entirely separate and since the number of computers is sufficient for current needs, the setting of priorities for use has not been necessary. The Vice President for Academic Affairs is responsible for both academic and administrative computing. Heads of the academic units for the College plan, maintain, and administer their own computing facilities after approval through the EDP process. (5.4c) Administrative Computing The planning, maintenance, and direction of administrative computing at the College is the responsibility of the Director of Computer Services, who reports to the Vice President For Academic Affairs. The Computer Services staff consists of the director and a programmer analyst (this position is presently vacant). Administrative computing provides support for Business Operations (Accounting, Procurement, Personnel, Budgeting, and Property Control), the Development Office, Athletics, Student Housing, Records and Admissions, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Office of the President. All purchases of hardware and software intended for administrative computing are controlled by the actions of the College Computer Advisory Committee, the President, and the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology. There is a constraint associated with the purchase of administrative computing equipment in that the equipment must be compatible with System requirements for data transfer. The two largest data transfer operations are the Student Information Reporting System (SIRS) and personnel/payroll. Additional data transfer involves curriculum inventory, space utilization, and faculty data. The T1990/12 has ten major administrative applications. Thirteen work stations are used for student records (seven in Admissions and Records, three in the Cashier's Office, and three in Financial Aid). Five work stations are used for Accounting and Payroll. Procurement uses one work station for warehouse inventory; the Office of Student Housing, one; Property Control, one; Development/Public Relations/ Alumni Affairs, three; the Computer Services staff, three; the Administrative Assistant to the President, one; Budgeting, one; and Institutional Research, one. The use and the number of microcomputers have expanded greatly since 1986. Recent trends have been to purchase MS-DOS micros almost exclusively. More recently, networking has become the focus of attention. Several local area networks have been established, and others are planned. There are five local area networks for microcomputers in academic computing. Three LAN's are located in the School of Business; one in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; and one in the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science. Currently an optical fiber asynchronous LAN is used to distribute mini-computer access between Whiting Hall, Herty Hall, Hubert Hall, and Payne Hall to access the PRIME. Computing in the School of Business was based primarily on minicomputer facilities until 1988 when there was a shift to LAN. The initial student network was installed in the New Business School Building in December, 1988. The network consisted of twenty-seven IBM Model 8525 microcomputers running on Ethernet and a laboratory of twenty-five IBM computers running on Arcnet. The network was supported by a single Compaq 386/20 file server running Novell SFT 286 V2.15 operating system. Fifty-five microcomputers are currently available for business students' use in two laboratories located adjacent to each other in Rooms 206 and 208 in the Business School Building. A third student laboratory currently being set up in Room 128 will provide business graphics computing facilities for students and faculty. The networked microcomputers in the graphics laboratory have 80386 processors. There are presently ten workstations and two A-size plotters available in the graphics laboratory. By the end of the 1991 academic year twenty-five microcomputers will be assembled in this laboratory for student, faculty, and staff use. Printer support for students, with access for faculty and staff, is provided by two high-speed OTC printers, four IBM Proprinters, one IBM graphics printer, and one Panasonic 1124 printer. There are two Panasonic laser printers, one AST Postscript printer, and one Smartwriter laser printer and two Hewett-Packard Laserjet Series III printers restricted to use by faculty and staff. Most of the current state-of-the-art computers/computer systems were purchased with Title III funds. Faculty and staff in the School of Business have access to the LAN from their offices over optical fiber using Arcnet. Faculty and staff are on their own file server running Novell 286 SFT V2. 15 on an IBM Model 80. In addition, a file server running Banyan Vines is available for faculty and staff. Faculty and staff have been provided microcomputers based on the type of computing they normally perform, i.e., word processing, spreadsheets, statistical applications, database applications. Twenty-four of the twenty-eight full time faculty have microcomputers in their offices to conduct research and facilitate instructional programs. All eight Business School staff members have microcomputers available in their offices used primarily for word processing. In addition, the Dean uses data base software to track students and their averages, and Super CALC 4 is used in the budget and evaluation process. Software available to School of Business faculty, staff, and students includes Enable/OA, SuperCalc 4, Minitab, MBP Cobol, Turbo Pascal, WordPerfect 5.0 and 5.1, PEdit, R:Base for DOS, MSS Quantitative Methods Package, Energraphics, and Ventura Publishing, as well as IBM Writing Assistant, IBM Filing Assistant, IBM Planning Assistant, IBM Reporting Assistant, IBM Graphing Assistant, Lotus 1-2-3 Rel 2, Intech Excelerator, Super Project Plus, Simscript II, and a communications simulation compiler. Some additional software is faculty-developed, and some is made available by certain publishers for students' se as tutorial assistance. At least thirty-nine courses in the School of Business require utilization of the computer in some degree. The computer laboratory in the School of Business is accessible Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The laboratory is presently staffed by a programmer and an operator employed by the School of Business. Students are assigned codes to access the computer. (5.4f) School of Humanities and Social Sciences Microcomputing in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences is currently centered in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, although the Department of Humanities has twelve MacIntosh microcomputers to access PLATO at the University of Georgia for computer assisted instruction in reading and writing for Regents' Examination remediation. The PLATO laboratory is located in Payne Hall and is operated by a full-time laboratory assistant. Students access the PLATO lab primarily through classroom settings since laboratory work is required for remediation for the Regents' Exam. Students who must do makeup work or those who wish to work independently make arrangements for access with instructors, the lab assistant, or the Department Head. In the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Teaching and Learning Center (the New Liberal Arts Computer Laboratory funded by the Sloan Foundation to promote integration of computers and the liberal arts), has fourteen networked MS-DOS micro computers (IBM) with an IBM PS/2 Model 70 as network server (available only to faculty), ten independent Leading Edge micros, and eight MacIntosh. Computers in this laboratory, which is located in Payne 207 and 214, are networked on the IBM LAN but are not linked to any other networks on the campus. Software includes word processing, spreadsheet, statistical packages, and thirty CAI and simulation programs related to the social and behavioral sciences. Approximately 80 percent of the software pertains to the social and behavioral sciences and 15 percent to the humanities. Students may access the laboratory from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.rn and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday either in classroom settings or by individual request/appointment with the lab assistant. Personnel in the laboratory include one Laboratory Director- Computer Specialist and one Faculty Development Director, both salaried through Title III. Documentation of student usage for the PLATO laboratory is through class attendance and rolls kept by instructors as well as the automatic tracking system with the University System. Students enrolled in the remedial classes for the Regents Examination are required to spend a minimum of approximately 46 hours per quarter in the PLATO laboratory using CAI. Students using the New Liberal Arts Computer Laboratory log in and out by signing in, using an ID card, and stating the purpose of the visit and the software being used. Instructors also schedule classes in the laboratory. The Laboratory Director administers the log and makes a quarterly report. The average use by students in the New Liberal Arts Computer Laboratory is 1,000 uses per quarter. Approximately 100 students per quarter use the PLATO laboratory working with computer assisted instruction. (5.4g) School of Sciences and Technology There are various microcomputing capabilities in the School of Sciences and Technology. The School maintains one Computer Literacy Laboratory with twenty-five independent Apple Iie's (eight of which access PRIME) and printers for individual student, faculty, and class use. The laboratory is accessible to classes from the various departments which are often held in the laboratory. The Departments of Marine Biology and Chemistry require the use of computers as an integral part of the coursework. Students use the laboratory individually through arrangements with the instructor(s) or whenever student workers are scheduled to man the lab. The laboratory is located in Room 23 of the Hubert D Technical Science Building. The Department of Biology and Life Sciences maintains twelve independent microcomputers (Apple He and Laser 128EX) for student, staff, and faculty use. Instructional programs, data entry programs, and word processing programs are used extensively. Several computer assisted programs have been created by faculty members for instructional purposes. The Department of Engineering Technology has thirty independent microcomputers (Leading Edge and Apple IIe) and has two telephone lines and dial up modems available to access the University System Computer Network (USCN). This department also supports a Computer Engineering Technology Program that is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The Chemistry Department has two Apple IIe's: one for faculty to use for instructional purposes and one for the use of the Activity Director for Title III of the School of Sciences and Technology. The Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science has nineteen Apple He's, twelve of which are networked, one IBM PC, twelve free-standing Zeniths (IBM compatible), and fifteen PST terminals connected to the PRIME. The lab is also equipped with several printers, two plotters, and two LCD overhead projectors. The department has received twenty-five microcomputers, four dot matrix printers, one laser printer, one VCR overhead, and several application packages to be installed in a new laboratory located on the second floor of Herty Hall. This department has six telephone lines and terminals which can be connected to the USCN via dial up and direct access modems. The terminals are used daily by computer science students in language courses. Students can access the computers in the NUT, PHYS, CSC lab from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday; and 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Student workers (basically department majors) man the laboratory. Software in the School of Sciences and Technology includes CAI software designed to run on the Apple He. The Computer Literacy Laboratory has nearly one hundred CAI packages in the fields of biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Other programs include Applepack Grader, App=Stat, and those written by faculty to assist students with assignments, understanding concepts and problem solving. In the Department of Engineering Technology, fifty software packages are divided between Apple and MS-DOS. These include packages such as Architectural Materials Estimator, Structural Analysis, Beam Analyzer, CNC Lathe, and Auto Cad. In the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, nearly sixty software packages run on either Apple He's or MS-DOS computers. Packages in that department include these languages: LISP (Waltz), LISP (TLC), Turbo BASIC, Turbo C, Turbo PASCAL. In the School of Sciences and Technology, at least 80 percent of the faculty have computers for instructional, administrative, and research use in their offices. The Dean of the School uses a computer. (5.4h) Department of Developmental Studies In the Department of Developmental Studies, microcomputing includes fourteen Apple Re's which are used for drill and supplemental instruction in English, mathematics, and reading. In the English laboratory located in Whiting 102, there is one Apple He. The mathematics laboratory, housed in Whiting 128, has ten Apple He's. The reading laboratory located in Whiting 203 has three Apple He's. Each of these laboratories is administered by a program assistant. Student use is documented quarterly by each of the laboratory assistants in reading, writing, and mathematics, respectively. The department also has ten Memorex-Telex microcomputers. For administrative computing in the Department of Developmental Studies, there is one Data Management Specialist who uses an IBM PC/XT to store and retrieve CPE (Collegiate Placement Examination) pre- and post-test scores for students to determine their status as Developmental Studies students on a quarterly basis and who makes this information accessible to the Office of Records via a supra modem on a leased telephone line. Projected Needs and Services The Computer Advisory Committee has made the installation of a communications link between the administrative computing and the various academic LANs its first priority for 1990-91. Such a link will also provide access to PEACHNET in the future. Once PEACHNET is installed and networked to the University System Computer Network (USCN), additional computing power will be available on the campus without the College having to bear the expense of the purchase and maintenance of another mini computer for academic computing. 5.5 STUDENT DEVELOPMENT SERVICESSavannah State College, since its beginning in 1890, has placed emphasis on educating students through academic and co-curricular experiences. The basic goals of Student Development Services are consistent with the mission, goals and objectives of Savannah State College. Student Development Services staff members strongly encourage and seek the participation of all the members of the College in the development, implementation and evaluation of meaningful educational programs. The achievement of these goals is the primary responsibility of the Office for Student Affairs. This office plans and implements Student Development Services in collaboration with other administrative offices as appropriate. Student Development Services is a collaborative effort among the Offices of Student Affairs, Academic Affairs and Fiscal Affairs. Student Affairs is one of the three major administrative units of the College. The Vice-President for Student Affairs reports to the President of the College, and is responsible for the planning and implementation of the program and services offered as well as management of the various Student Affairs Offices. It is his job to provide leadership and coordination for the offices and their personnel. He also has budgetary control and supervision over the six departments within Student Affairs: the Admissions Office, the Career Counseling and Placement Office, the Comprehensive Counseling Center, the Financial Aid Office, the Health Services Office, the College Student Union and the Residence Life Office. Administrative Personnel: Experience and Training The Office for Student Affairs is administered by the Vice-President for Student Affairs and the Assistant Director of Student Affairs. The Vice-President for Student Affairs, a member of the faculty, has more than fifteen years of experience in higher education administration and has served as a consultant to many colleges and universities. He has published articles in the area of Student Affairs and is a member of several professional organizations. They include the American Association for Counseling and Development and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. The effectiveness of Student Development Services is evaluated through committees, frequent student and staff questionnaires, annual reports, and state and federal audits. A recent student survey indicated that students were pleased with the offerings and services provided by the Office of Student Development Services. Student services at Savannah State College are adequately funded; the per student expenditure ranks in the top 20 percent in the University System of Georgia. The resources provided for the different offices of Student Development Services are adequate to meet the needs of the students and to fulfill all responsibilities. The budget-making process at Savannah State College involves projections using trend data, enrollment reports, annual reports, and financial planning within the various units. On the basis of these predicted needs, the Vice President for Student Affairs each year presents a budget request as a part of the College's annual budget-making process. The staffing of Student Services is adequate at present. Personnel in Student Services are encouraged to continue their professional and educational growth. Many have served as speakers and workshop leaders for conferences across the country. Personnel in Student Development Services also conduct seminars for students and teachers on the secondary and elementary school levels. 5.5.2.1 Academic Advising, Counseling, and Career Development The academic advisement of students is an institutional responsibility of great priority. The academic advisement program is the responsibility of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs and is delegated to the various academic departments, which select advisors to ensure that advisement is available to each student. A faculty advisor assists each student in planning a program of study. The advisor assists students in selecting courses quarterly, interprets College regulations and requirements, and monitors progress as students work toward meeting degree requirements in a timely and sequential manner. The advisor also maintains quarter by quarter records of an advisee's academic progress. Students are responsible for consulting their advisors on all matters relating to their program of study, and no student is permitted to register until his or her schedule has been approved by an advisor or a department head. To ensure regular and effective advisement, each student is also encouraged to visit his or her advisor at least once each quarter for a conference and a program evaluation at a time other than registration. The College provides the organizational structure and resources necessary to conduct effective student advisement, including competent faculty, adequate staff, and adequate physical facilities. Of the students who responded to a recent survey, 77 percent indicated that they were satisfied with faculty accessibility, and 79 percent indicated that they feel that faculty members are willing to provide special assistance when needed. Furthermore, 77 percent of those responding indicated overall satisfaction with academic advisement The Comprehensive Counseling Center offers professional counseling services to all prospective and regularly enrolled students. The services include academic, personal, social, and career counseling, as well as an array of test information and interpretive data. These services are offered in an individual or group setting. The professional staff consists of the director, three counselors, a data management specialist, and a secretary. In addition, the Center utilizes a competent group of peer counselors. The director and the psychometrist both hold the Master of Education degree. One staff counselor holds a Master of Education degree, and the other holds a Bachelor of Arts degree. The peer counselors provide an opportunity for student-to- student counseling, and they also render tutorial assistance to students experiencing academic difficulties. The staff operates with the understanding that students have some concerns that extend beyond the scope of their personal resources or areas of expertise. With this in mind, a strong and expansive referral service has been established with other campus-based programs and with community agencies. Referrals made by the staff, even to another campus program or office, are made only with the approval of the counselee involved in a given situation. The counseling is confidential and free to all students. The Comprehensive Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. In the student survey, 87 percent of those responding expressed general satisfaction with the services offered by the Comprehensive Counseling Center. This high rating reflects the excellent performance by the personnel operating the Center. General counseling services are provided for all students, including nontraditional students and international students. Special programs are held during the year to highlight the College's commitment to cultural diversity. During the New Student Orientation Program, students have the opportunity to meet with faculty members to discuss intended majors and career choices. The New Student Orientation program is under the supervision of the Comprehensive Counseling Center. The program is designed to assist new students in becoming acquainted with other students, with College regulations, and procedures, along with campus traditions and student behavior. The program concentrates on all freshmen and new students entering in the first week of fall quarter. The major orientation program for new students during the fall quarter and the mini-orientation programs held at the beginning of each quarter are designed to help ease stress and help students adjust to their new environment. Orientation sessions aimed at helping part-time, international, and non-traditional students are also held on a regular basis. Orientation for parents is also conducted each year. The student questionnaire showed that 87 percent were satisfied with the orientation programs. Follow-up courses dealing with the psychology of human relationships, required of freshmen and transfer students, are designed to facilitate the process of adjustment to college and to guide the student's thinking in reference to the social forces that affect a student daily. Each of the three schools offers its own introductory course, (BAD 105, HAS 100, and SST 100) which, in addition to serving as a general education course, introduces students to the disciplines taught in that school. Savannah State College is a national testing center. Several tests such as the Graduate Management Test (GMAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), National Teachers Examination (NTE), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), and American College Test (ACT) are administered on campus. State and college tests such as the Regents' Examination Program are also administered. The testing program is administered by the Comprehensive Counseling Center. The College provides a placement service for students, and alumni who seek career employment opportunities in education, business, industry, and government. The Office of Career Counseling and Placement provides students and alumni with information and counseling on careers and jobs. The office also assists individuals in evaluating themselves relative to current employment opportunities. The services provided are designed to develop and maintain communication among students, faculty, educational institutions, and employers to ensure that their needs and interests can be properly interpreted and fulfilled. The Career Counseling and Placement Office establishes confidential files for enrolled students one year prior to their graduation. It also coordinates the scheduling of campus recruiters from business, industry, and government; conducts career outreach conferences, workshops, and seminars; solicits major universities for notices of scholarships and fellowships; and collects notices of job openings from local, state, regional, and national employers. During the 1988-89 academic year, the Office of Career Counseling and Placement conducted the following activities: the Coastal Georgia Colleges Recruiters' Fair, Career Opportunity Day, and Co-op Career Day. Approximately 160 students attended the Coastal Georgia Colleges Recruiters' Fair. On Career Opportunity Day, 75 students participated in the program and discussed career opportunities with participating representatives. Many of the representatives in attendance were graduates of Savannah State and thus provided positive role models for current students. Companies and organizations from the Savannah area participating included the Air National Guard; the U.S. Air Force; Chatham Area Transit; Chatham County Civil Service; Human Resources Department; City of Savannah; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Kemira, Incorporated; Pilgrim Insurance Company; Roadway Package Systems; Savannah Police Department; and Southern Bell. In a recent student survey, 70 percent of those responding indicated satisfaction with the Career Placement Services. At present, only one person, the Coordinator, operates the office. Students would be better served by expanding this operation. A computer and an assistant are needed to increase the efficiency of the office. The Cooperative Education Program at Savannah State which is aimed at the career development of the students in all disciplines is in its nineteenth year of operation. The program is administered from the office of cooperative education located in chemistry department by the director and coordinator of the program and the director reports directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The objectives of the program are to provide students with (1) professional training in their major areas of study, (2) monetary help to defray college expenses, and (3) general work experiences to enhance their competitive background before graduation. There are three different work-experience plans, namely (1) Alternate quarter plan, (2) Parallel plan, and (3) Consecutive quarter plan that they can choose for job training. The students have to complete a minimum of two quarters of training, preferably in the sophomore and junior year level at the employer's site, to receive certification from Co-op office. The College grants five hours of academic credit per quarter for Co-op participation. 5.5.2.2 Student Government, Student Activities, and Publications Student government, student activities, and student publications are a vital part of the College's efforts to develop the whole student and are an essential part of the total educational experience available for the students. The Student Government Association is the major representative body for the students. Through it, students are actively involved in the governance of the College through membership on standing and other major institutional committees. The policies and implementation procedures governing the supervisory role of the institution over student activities are outlined in the current Catalog. Anew student handbook, approved by the faculty, has been published for the 1990-91 academic year. Activities that are appropriate to the student's academic, social, and cultural growth are on-going at Savannah State. The College has a concert choir, a band, and the Wesleyan choir, organizations which are open for membership to all students interested in music. These groups perform locally as well as nationally. The various organizations on campus are listed on page 73 of the 1990-1991 Catalog. At present, the list includes some thirty organizations, ranging from the Aerobics Club to the Social Workers of Tomorrow. National honor societies on campus include Alpha Kappa Mu, Beta Beta, Beta Kappa Chi, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Beta Lambda, Phi Mu Delta, Sigma Delta Chi, Sigma Tau Delta, Tau Alpha Pi, and the Biomedical Society. All of these hold membership in the Association of College Honor Societies. National social fraternities on campus include Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Phi Gamma, Alpha Phi Omega, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Omega Psi Phi. National social sororities on campus are Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta, and Delta Sigma Theta. These organizations sponsor programs designed for the intellectual and social development of their members. The College offers many activities for cultural enrichment. Student assemblies, lectures, motion pictures, institutes, art exhibitions, plays, forums, hobby groups, and tours contribute to the overall growth and maturation of the students. For example, the Lyceum Cultural Arts Series brings concert artists to the campus, and the Department of Fine Arts sponsors plays and art exhibits during the academic year. Each spring an International Festival is held; it features music, art, dress, and cuisine from other nations. The Festival lasts a week and is well attended by students, faculty, and staff. The student newspaper, the Tiger's Roar, is published quarterly by members of the student body working under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Mass Communication Program. The yearbook is The Tiger, which is published through and supervised by the Public Relations Office. At present, the College does not have clear guidelines as to the operation and objectives of the student publications. However, during the 1990-1991 academic year specific student publications guidelines will be instituted. WHCJ, the campus FM radio station, serves as a training unit for mass communication majors and students interested in the media and/or language and communication in general. In a recent survey, 83 percent of the students responding reported they were "highly satisfied" or "generally satisfied" with the programming and operation of V;HCJ-FM. Policies concerning student behavior are listed in the latest edition of the Catalog. These policies are formulated in accordance with the Regents' Statement of Disruptive Behavior. Activities which are disruptive, irresponsible, obstructive, indecent, or disorderly and which deliberately interfere with the regular and orderly operation of the College will not be tolerated. The School Code of Conduct also contains a brief statement entitled "Student Conduct": "Each student enrolled at Savannah State College is expected at all times to exemplify due respect for order, morality, and the rights of others. The College reserves the right to exclude at any time any student whose conduct is deemed improper or prejudicial to the welfare of the College community." Students who violate the rules of conduct may be punished by suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate actions, as determined by the College. Student discipline is the responsibility of the Office of Vice President for Student Affairs. The College has policies on sexual harassment and on the use of drugs and alcohol. Students are informed of these policies during orientation. Seminars sponsored by the Comprehensive Counseling Center are designed to reinforce the basic rationale of the drug and alcohol policy and to ensure that students are aware of the College's position. The maintenance and the accuracy of the academic records of all students who take courses are the responsibility of the Office of Admissions and Records. Records of CEU (Continuing Education Unit) credits are maintained by the Coastal Georgia enter at its downtown location The Office of Admissions and Records prepares a permanent record for each student when he or she is first admitted to the institution and keeps that record up to date as the student progresses in a chosen degree program. The office also maintains pertinent admissions information such as SAT scores and high school grades; Regents' Examination results; academic standing for each student; and notes on academic probation and dismissal. A student may review his or her records during regular office hours. The University System publishes policies concerning student records, including the kind of information necessary for the permanent record. Section 400 of the Policy Manual of the Board of Regents contains those requirements. The University System's Student Data Element Dictionary contains more detailed information on student records. The College is in compliance with those policies, and its records are audited regularly by University System personnel. The Office of Admissions and Records protects the privacy of student records according to guidelines in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (commonly called FERPA). This Act protects the rights of the student in regard to educational records maintained by the institution. Under the conditions set forth by FERPA, the student has the light to "inspect and review education records maintained by the institution that pertain to the student; to challenge the content of records (except grades--which can only be challenged through the academic appeal procedure) on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading or a violation of privacy or other rights; and to control disclosures from educational records with certain exceptions." A copy of the FERPA regulations and a written policy concerning all other aspects of student records are available in the Office of Admissions and Records. Any student who feels that he or she has a legitimate complaint about accuracy or privacy of records may file a complaint with the FERPA Office of the Department of Education. Until 1984 all permanent student records were microfilmed to provide backup copies. These records are stored in a building separate from that which houses the Records Office. The microfilming was discontinued in 1984, and no backup records have existed since that time. According to the results of the student survey, most students are satisfied with the performance of the Office of Admissions and Records. For example, 71 percent said they were either "highly satisfied" or "generally satisfied" with the office. When surveyed about the helpfulness of the office staff, 60 percent expressed similar sentiments. One complaint made by some students on the student survey concerned the courtesy and friendliness of the office personnel. Since the survey, seminars have been implemented to help the office staff relate to students on a more cordial basis. In 1989-90, |