OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

Residence Life

Goal
Enhanced Technology
Continue to enhance technological changes in Residence Life

Objective
Reduction Of Vandalism RatesThrough Installation Of Surveillance Cameras
Residence Life will continue to seek to maintain or decrease the amount of vandalism in residence halls.

Indicator
Reported vandalism
The amount of vandalism that occurs in the residence halls will be measured based on the monetary amount reported by residence hall staff each fiscal year.

Criterion
Reduction In Vandalism Rates
Vandalism rates will be close to or mirror rate reported in 2007-08, which was $3440.00.

Finding
Expected Constant Or Reduced Vandalism Rate
The amount of money billed for vandalism for the Academic year 2008-09 was expected to be close to or less than last year's total. This year's total was $3610.80, which is only a small increase of $170.80, so is very close to last year's total.

Action
Installation Of Surveillance Cameras
Residence Life will continue the plan to install surveillance cameras in all residence halls by installing cameras in Estill Hall in summer of 2010, as we have seen a correlation between the presence of cameras and the reduction of vandalism.

Objective
Web-based Services
Web pages will be utilized by student residents to electronically handle all assignment-based business with the department, such as applications, renewal, roommate matching and other services.

Indicator
Quality of Life Survey (regarding intentional use of web pages)
Intentional use of the web pages for performing assignment-based business will be measured by the frequency of students choosing to perform their business tasks over the web.

Criterion
Implementation of additional web-based housing services
At least 60% of student surveys will show an interest in handling more housing business over the web pages.

Finding
Expected Increase In Using Web Pages For Business
The Quality of Life Survey results showed that 84% of students answering the survey used the web pages to apply for housing, 79% had used the web to apply for a meal plan, and 67% had used the SHSU web pages to renew their housing contract. 60% responded that they would like to use the web pages to make hall and room transfer requests, and 65% would use a roommate matching service via the web.

Action
Increase Web-based Housing Services
The Roommate Matching Program is a new program that we started using this year and have not evaluated before. We will gather information regarding number of users for this program to decide if we will continue to use it. We will use the information from survey results and Banner discussions to decide what other services can be provided via the web.

Goal
Improvement in Program Development
Demonstrate continuous improvement in program development/enhancement

Objective
Residence Life Cinema
Create more opportunities for student-targeted programming through media with Residence Life Cinema.

Indicator
Quality Of Life Survey (regarding Residence Life Cinema)
Popularity and usage of Residence Life Cinema will be measured as part of the Quality of Life survey.

Criterion
Demonstrated student satisfaction with Residence Life Cinema
At least 60% of student surveys will show satisfaction regarding the use and popularity of Residence Life Cinema.

Finding
Expected Success Of Residence Life Cinema
The Quality of Life survey results showed that 64% of students responding said they watched Residence Life Cinema. Of those students, 71% responded positively to the choice of movies on RLC, but only 41% were satisfied with quality of picture and sound, and only 53% believed their viewing of RLC movies increased their awareness of social issues and solutions.

Action
Residence Life Cinema
The department renewed the contract for Residence Life Cinema before the survey results were tabulated. This year we will advertise RLC more and push its use with the Sam 136 classes, and will discuss picture and sound quality with Computer Services to find a solution to the complaints. If next year's survey results do not improve, the program will be dropped.

Objective
Residence Hall Programming
Student residents are provided with educational and social programming opportunities to facilitate personal growth and development.

Indicator
Quality Of Life Survey (regarding General Hall Programming)
Specific questions within our Quality of Life survey will measure the success of and participation in general hall programming in the areas of Wellness, Diversity, Life Skills, Social Issues and the like.

Criterion
Demonstrated student satisfaction with residence hall programming
At least 60% of student surveys will show a positive reaction to and attendance at residence hall programs provided by hall staff.

Finding
Expected Satisfaction With General Hall Programs
Only 51% of the students responding to the survey said they have attended hall programs and only 47% of the respondents felt that the programs increased their awareness of social issues and solutions.

Action
Improvement In Hall Programming
Due to the low satisfaction percentages, the department is currently undergoing discussions regarding a change in our programming model. It is felt that there is not adequate time to put a new model in place beginning this next fall; therefore we will continue with the same model this year and focus on obtaining a larger audience and finding ways to increase our students' awareness of social issues and solutions.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement The Department of Residence Life is doing well with our goals regarding Enhanced Technology. Our vandalism rates are holding steady and have decreased significantly over the last two years, which indicates that we should continue to install surveillance cameras in the areas that do not currently have them and in all new construction. Our students are also doing more of their business via the web and have indicated that they would like us to provide more business services via the web for convenience.

We do have some work to do with our goals in the Program Development area, and will continue to seek to improve our efforts to meet our students needs in the residence halls.