To educate and train the Department's students in preparation for successful careers in Geography and Geology.
Objective
Successful Geography And Geology Students
Geography and Geology students will successfully complete courses that encompass the breadth of their discipline. For Geography majors, this ranges from cultural geography, to physical and environmental geography, as well at technical courses. For Geology majors, this ranges from historical and physical geology, to economic, environmental and technical aspects of the field.
Indicator
Internship Performance
Those students that opt to do an internship will be evaluated by their supervisor using a departmental evaluation from to be completed by the supervisor.
Criterion
Majority evaluated as Satisfactory
A significant majority of our students will be evaluated as "satisfactory" or better by their internship supervisors.
Indicator
GPA Check
The Departmental Advisor will check to determine if the student is maintaining a satisfactory GPA for their Major classes.
Criterion
Maintain 2.0 or higher GPA
All Geography and Geology majors will maintaina 2.0 or higher GPA.
Action
Reviews
Monitored and maintained
Objective
Quality Instruction
The Department will seek to ensure that the quality of our instruction is rated as satisfactory or better by our students.
Indicator
IDEA Faculty Evaluation System
The Department uses the IDEA evaluation system as well as peer-evaluation.
Criterion
Satisfactory Faculty Rating
All Geography and Geology professors will rate as satisfactory or better.
Action
Qualityof Instruction
IDEA is an overworked and insensitive system (particularly for On-line courses). We are prisoners of a poorly developed and executed assessment system.
Objective
Provide Appropriate Technology
The Department will strive to enhance the quality of instruction through the use of appropriate technology in the classroom and during lab activities.
Indicator
Annual Equipment Audit
The Department will review the equipment it has annually to determine if it satisfies the needs of its classes and labs.
Criterion
Class and Lab Equipment Needs Met
All equipment will meet the needs and standards of the department.
Action
AVA Equipement
System now administered by the University. At present the system is slow and insensitive to the real time needs of faculty in front of a class with resulting PR disasters. We will continue to apply pressure for a more sensitive system.
Objective
Field Trips
The department will strive to enhance the quality of instruction through the use of field trips offered to our students.
Indicator
Annual Count Of Field Trips Offered
At the end of each academic year the Department will count the number of field trips offered and compare it to the total from the previous semester.
Criterion
Increased Number of Field Trips
The number of field trips offered by the Department will increase year to year.
Action
Field Trips
Increased field activity in both GEO and GEL. Further proposals being developed for introductory level field based courses in GEO. A modular Field Camp to be offered by GEL.
Objective
Web Course Offerings
The department will increase the availability of its courses, and its visibility, by offering web courses.
Indicator
Number Of Web-Based Course Offerings
The Department will compare the number of web courses offerd to the previous year's total.
Criterion
maintain or Increase Number of Web Courses
The Department will add to and/or maintain the number of its web-based courses
Action
Web Course Offerings
Changes pending appointment of new Chair. Focus likely to be on Applied Geography feeder courses for MA.
Objective
Quality Degree Programs
The Department will consistently strive to improve the quality of its programs by making adjustments to its curriculum as needed.
Indicator
Advisory Council Feedback
The department will, as needed, seek input from a variety of sources, including Professional Advisory Councils and Student Advisory Councils, and will use that input as the basis for modifying the curriculum
Criterion
Curriculum Changes
Curriculum will be modified, as necessary, in response to input from the Advisory Councils.
Indicator
Alumni Phone Survey
A telephone survey of selected Geography and Geology Alumni who would be in a position to provide feedback and advice to the Department will be used to gather information on ways to improve the Department.
Criterion
Positive Alumni Response
The Alumni response recieved will be positive.
Action
Quality Reviews
No external reviews conducted pending new chair appointment.
Objective
Development Of A Geoscape
The Department will develop a Geoscape that will be on campus in the new mall. The Geoscape will serve both as an aid to instruction for our geology lab students and as a site that will draw attention to the program and the university.
Indicator
Student Response Survey
Student response to the Geoscape will be assessed with a survey designed to gather their perceptions of the Geoscape and its effectiveness.
Criterion
Positive Student Response
Student response to the Geoscape will be positive.
Action
Geoscape
No longer actively pursued. Awaits and architectural apportunity.
Objective
New Courses And Programs
The Department will strive to offer its students the highest quality of education by adding new courses and programs to its curriculum.
Indicator
Program Proposal Approval
All new program proposals will be accepted and approved by both the University and the THECB.
Criterion
All New Programs Approved
All new program proposals will be accepted and approved by both the University and the THECB.
Indicator
New Classes Approved
New classes for the Geography and Geology department will be approved by the university.
Criterion
All New Classes Approved
All new classes proposed to the University will be approved for inclusion in the catalog.
Action
Courses
All course changes submitted have been approved. Adjustments and new courses await the appointment of a new Chair.
Objective
New Faculty Hires
The Geography and Geology Department will hire new faculty members as required, especially in new areas where the department is expanding its curriculum.
Indicator
University Approval Of New Faculty Teaching Lines
Official approval of new faculty teaching lines from the University.
Criterion
All Proposed Faculty Teaching Lines Approved
All new faculty teaching lines proposed to the University will be approved.
Action
Faculty Positions
New positions presently on hold university wide.
Goal
Provide Necessary Resources
To provide the Department, and its programs with the necessary resources to succeed in their mission.
Objective
Provide Appropriate Technology
The Department will strive to enhance the quality of instruction through the use of appropriate technology in the classroom and during lab activities.
Indicator
Annual Equipment Audit
The Department will review the equipment it has annually to determine if it satisfies the needs of its classes and labs.
Criterion
Class and Lab Equipment Needs Met
All equipment will meet the needs and standards of the department.
Action
AVA Equipement
System now administered by the University. At present the system is slow and insensitive to the real time needs of faculty in front of a class with resulting PR disasters. We will continue to apply pressure for a more sensitive system.
Objective
Field Trips
The department will strive to enhance the quality of instruction through the use of field trips offered to our students.
Indicator
Annual Count Of Field Trips Offered
At the end of each academic year the Department will count the number of field trips offered and compare it to the total from the previous semester.
Criterion
Increased Number of Field Trips
The number of field trips offered by the Department will increase year to year.
Action
Field Trips
Increased field activity in both GEO and GEL. Further proposals being developed for introductory level field based courses in GEO. A modular Field Camp to be offered by GEL.
Objective
Development Of A Geoscape
The Department will develop a Geoscape that will be on campus in the new mall. The Geoscape will serve both as an aid to instruction for our geology lab students and as a site that will draw attention to the program and the university.
Indicator
Student Response Survey
Student response to the Geoscape will be assessed with a survey designed to gather their perceptions of the Geoscape and its effectiveness.
Criterion
Positive Student Response
Student response to the Geoscape will be positive.
Action
Geoscape
No longer actively pursued. Awaits and architectural apportunity.
Objective
New Courses And Programs
The Department will strive to offer its students the highest quality of education by adding new courses and programs to its curriculum.
Indicator
Program Proposal Approval
All new program proposals will be accepted and approved by both the University and the THECB.
Criterion
All New Programs Approved
All new program proposals will be accepted and approved by both the University and the THECB.
Indicator
New Classes Approved
New classes for the Geography and Geology department will be approved by the university.
Criterion
All New Classes Approved
All new classes proposed to the University will be approved for inclusion in the catalog.
Action
Courses
All course changes submitted have been approved. Adjustments and new courses await the appointment of a new Chair.
Objective
New Faculty Hires
The Geography and Geology Department will hire new faculty members as required, especially in new areas where the department is expanding its curriculum.
Indicator
University Approval Of New Faculty Teaching Lines
Official approval of new faculty teaching lines from the University.
Criterion
All Proposed Faculty Teaching Lines Approved
All new faculty teaching lines proposed to the University will be approved.
Action
Faculty Positions
New positions presently on hold university wide.
Objective
Department Visibility And Relations
The Department will take steps to increase its visibility and relations within the University and the community as a whole. To this end the Department has employed a number of strategies, including a semi-annual newsletter, website improvements, and New Student Get-togethers
Indicator
Number Of Alumni Contacts
The Department will measure the number of alumni contacts made throughout the year.
Criterion
Substantial increase in contacts
The Department will see a substantial increase in the number of alumni contacts made throughout the year.
Action
Communication
News Letter expanded and produced on a regular basis. Reconfiguration of both Advisory and Alumni Panels awaits the appointment of the new Chair.