The College will increase the variety of Academic Programs
Objective
Apply For Permission To Create An MA Spanish
Apply to the Coordinating Board for permission to offer an MA in Spanish.
Indicator
Preliminary Approval For MA In Spanish
In order to begin a new degree program, departments must first receive preliminary approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which the department has already received. Next, the department must complete a proposal for a new master's degree in Spanish. The Department of Foreign Languages will complete a proposal for a MA in Spanish. This review process ensures that jobs will be available for graduates, that the curriculum will be appropriate, and that the faculty will be qualified.
Criterion
Coordinating Board Gives Permission For MA In Spanish
The College will receive permission from The Coordinating Board for Foreign Languages to offer an MA in Spanish.
Finding
Permission For MA In Spanish
The proposal for permission to offer an MA in Spanish was approved by the College Curriculum Committee, the University Curriculum Committee, the Academic Policy Council, the Provost and President, and the Board of Regents. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will act on this proposal at its next meeting.
Action
MA In Spanish
Pending final approval by the Coordinating Board, the MA program will be launched in Fall 2011. Advanced publicity for the proposed new program has been initiated.
Objective
Create A Ph.D. Program In Sociology
Obtain preliminary approval for a Ph.D. in Sociology.
Indicator
Ph.D. In Sociology
In order to begin a new degree program, departments must first receive preliminary approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Department of Sociology completed a preliminary approval application for a Ph.D. in Rural Sociology. The Coordinating Board requested that the request be resubmitted for a more general Ph.D. in Sociology with an emphasis in Rural Sociology. The department will resubmit the preliminary authority request for a Ph.D. in Sociology. Preliminary authority allows the department to request a Ph.D. degree in Sociology. This review process ensures that jobs will be available for graduates, that the curriculum will be appropriate, and that the faculty will be qualified.
Criterion
Obtain Approval Of Ph.D. In Sociology
The College will obtain preliminary approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for a Ph.D. in Sociology.
Finding
Obtain Approval Of Ph.D. In Sociology
The proposal for permission to offer a PhD in Sociology was approved by the College Curriculum Committee, the University Curriculum Committee, the Academic Policy Council, the Provost and President, and the Board of Regent. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, however, declined to approve the program, stating that the need for establishing a new PhD program in the state had not been sufficiently demonstrated.
Action
PhD In Sociology
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences in concert with the Department of Sociology will review the decision of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before deciding whether to revise and resubmit the proposed initiative.
Objective
Create A Ph.D. Program In School Psychology
Obtain approval to offer a Ph.D. in School Psychology.
Indicator
Approval For A Ph.D. In School Psychology
In order to begin a new degree program, departments must first receive preliminary approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which the department received. Next, the department must complete a proposal to offer a new doctoral degree in School Psychology. The Department of Psychology will complete a proposal for a Ph.D. in School Psychology. This review process ensures that jobs will be available for graduates, that the curriculum will be appropriate, and that the faculty will be qualified. Thus, the department will develop and submit a proposal to offer a Ph.D. in School Psychology to the Coordinating Board.
Criterion
Approval For Ph.D. In School Psychology
The College will obtain approval to offer a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the Coordinating Board.
Finding
Approval For PhD In School Psychology
Preliminary authority to develop the Ph.D. Program in School Psychology was obtained from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. A new faculty member has been hired to start in the fall of 2010, The new degree proposal was not completed in time to be considered by the University Curriculum Committee during 2009-2010.
Action
PhD In School Psychology
During 2010-2011, the Department of Psychology will develop the proposal and submit it to the appropriate bodies for further consideration.
Objective
Create An MA In Digital Media
Obtain approval to offer an MA in Digital Media.
Indicator
Obtain Approval For An MA In Digital Media
In order to begin a new degree program, departments must first receive preliminary approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which the department has already received. Next, the department must complete a proposal for a new master's degree in Digital Media. The Department of Mass Communications will complete a proposal for a MA in Digital Media. This review process ensures that jobs will be available for graduates, that the curriculum will be appropriate, and that the faculty will be qualified.
Criterion
Approval For MA In Digital Media
The College will obtain approval to offer an MA in Digital Media from the Coordinating Board.
Finding
Approval Of MA In Digital Media
The Department of Mass Communications began work on a MA in Digital Media proposal. Two new faculty members have been hired for the program.
Action
MA In Digital Media
The proposal to offer an MA in Digital Media will be developed during the next academic year and submitted to the College Curriculum Committee for further review.
Goal
Increase The Quality Of Academic Programs
The College will increase the quality of academic programs by increasing the quality of students and instruction.
Objective
Continue Strategic Planning
Continue strategic planning process for each department in the college.
Indicator
Strategic Planning
Strategic planning is essential for the development of departments. Each department must meet and develop a five-year strategic plan that will discuss such items as program development, curriculum review, recruitment and retention, etc. The plans will be submitted to the Dean for review, and then departments will be asked to revise the plans. Five departments are still revising the plans and will submit them this year.
Criterion
Strategic Plans From Departments
Each department will complete strategic plans in the college.
Finding
Strategic Plans From Departments
One new five-year plan was submitted during the year. The development of four plans were delayed because of a change in departmental leadership.
Action
Continue Strategic Planning
The five-year plans from the remaining four departments will be developed and approved during the next academic year.
Objective
Improve Graduate Student Credentials
Increase the quality of credentials of incoming graduate students.
Indicator
Increase GRE And GPA Scores Of Incoming Graduate Students
Increase GRE and GPA scores of incoming graduate students. Since most of our departments are at a standard which appears to show success, we will be targeting the two departments that are still below the standard: Communications Studies and Sociology. These two programs were targeted for growth and thus were allowed some flexibility in admission standards. Now we would like to increase these standards.
Criterion
Increase Average GPA And GRE Scores Of Incoming Graduate Students
The College will increase average GRE and GPA scores of incoming graduate students by 2% in the following departments: Sociology and Communication Studies.
Finding
Increase Average GPA And GRE Scores Of Incoming Graduate Students
In the Department of Sociology, the average GPA score of incoming graduate students was 2.99 during Fall 2008 and 3.31 during Fall 2009. Meanwhile , during these fall semesters, the average GRE scores of entering students increased from 905 to 1025. Spring to spring semester incoming averages also showed increases of greater than 10 percent. Specifically, the average GPA scores of these consecutive spring semesters were 2.89 and 3.30, while their corresponding GRE scores were 978 and 1020 respectively.
In the Department of Communication, the average GPA scores of incoming graduate students was 3.31 during Fall 2008 and 3.62 during Fall 2009. During these fall semesters, the average GRE scores of entering students also increased from 883 to 1073. Spring to spring semester incoming averages also showed significant increases. Specifically, the average GPA scores of these consecutive spring semesters were 3.08 and 3.70, while their corresponding GRE scores were 980 and 1060 respectively.
Action
Increase Average GPA And GRE Scores Of Incoming Graduate Students
Each department exceeded its goals. Next year attention will be given to growing the size of these programs without sacrificing the quality of the academic credentials of entering students.
Goal
Increase Research And Scholarly Activity
Increase publications and extramurally funded research in the College.
Objective
Increase Undergraduate Student Research
Increase the number of undergraduate students involved in research, scholarship, and creative activities.
Indicator
Number Of Undergraduate Students Presenting And Publishing
As research and scholarly activity increases with faculty, the college would like to see more students involved in the research process. The process of creating knowledge is essential to each discipline, and exposing students to this process provides quality instruction. The College will collect data concerning the number of peer-reviewed presentations and publications by undergraduate students and compare this to last year's data.
Criterion
Increase The Number Of Undergraduate Students Presenting Or Publishing By 2%
The College will increase the number of undergraduate students presenting at professional conferences or publishing research by 2%.
Finding
Increase Undergraduate Student Presenations
In 2008, 28 undergraduate students presented (21) or published (7) their research. In 2009, 42 undergraduate students presented and 3 published, making a total of 45 undergraduate research activities. These numbers indicate a 60% increase in undergraduate research activity during the last year.
Action
Increase Undergraduate Student Presentations
The college will continue its efforts to increase scholarly activities of its undergraduate students.
Objective
Increase Peer-Reviewed Publications
Increase the number of peer-reviewed publications.
Indicator
Number Of Peer-reviewed Publications
Universities must not only produce new knowledge, but they must also disseminate this knowledge. Peer-Reviewed publications are the standard method of disseminating knowledge. The college will collect data on the number of peer-reviewed publications and compare this with the previous year. Because these are peer-reviewed publications, the quality of the research is also measured.
Criterion
Increase The Number Of Peer-reviewed Publications By 1%
The College will increase the number of peer-reviewed publications by 1%.
Finding
Increase The Number Of Peer-reviwed Publications
The faculty in the college had 106 peer-reviewed journal publications, book chapters, books/monographs in 2008. In 2009 they had 109. This is a 2.8% increase, meeting our goal.
Action
Increase Number Of Peer-reviewed Publications
The college will continue to encourage scholarly activities at all levels, including in particular publications in professional journals, in book chapters, in first edition books and monographs, and in the standard creative writing venues. Merit incentives for faculty peer-reviewed publication will continue.
Objective
Increase Conference Presentations
The faculty in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences will increase the number of professional conference presentations given.
Indicator
Number Of Conference Presentations
Universities must not only produce new knowledge, but they must also disseminate this knowledge. Conference presentations are one method of disseminating knowledge. The college will collect data on the number of presentations at professional, peer-reviewed conferences and compare this with the previous year. Because these are peer-reviewed presentations, the quality of the research is also measured.
Criterion
Increase The Number Of Conference Presentations By 2%
The College will increase the number of professional conference presentations by 2% by faculty in the college.
Finding
Increase Number Of Faculty Conference Presentations
In 2008, the faculty in the college produced 296 peer-reviewed presentations while in 2009, they delivered 280 presentations. This represented an decrease of 6% below 2008 levels. We failed to meet our goal.
Action
Increase Number Of Faculty Conference Presentations
To heighten awareness of faculty research, twice-monthly research colloquiums were held during the fall and spring semesters, and an inaugural research conference was launched in the spring of 2010. These efforts will be continued in future years. We will set as a goal an increase funding for travel to conferences next year to make it possible for more researchers to present their work at professional meetings.
Objective
Increase Extramural Funding
Increase the number of competitive grants submitted and funded in the College.
Indicator
Increase Grants Submitted And Funded
One measure of the productivity of faculty is the number of outside grants funded. Outside funding shows that the research of the faculty is of high quality. The amount of funding varies by the discipline as do the funding opportunities. The College will collect data on the number and amounts of outside funding received by our faculty, as well as the number of grants submitted. These numbers will be compared to last year's numbers.
Criterion
Increase The Number Of Grants Submitted And Funded By 2%
The College will increase the number of grants externally submitted and funded by 2% by faculty in the college.
Finding
Increase Grant Activity
In 2008, faculty submitted 27 grants, 18 of which were funded. In 2009, 24 grants were submitted and 19 were funded. The college did not meet its goal of achieving a 2% increase in the number of submitted grants, but met its goal for funded external grants.
Action
Increase Grant Activity
The college will initiate grant submission workshops for faculty next year. In addition we will be increasing our efforts to identify grant programs that may be of interest to the faculty and to inform faculty of their availability and encourage submission. We will also be working with the department chairs to encourage their faculty to submit grant proposals.
Goal
Improve Faculty Quality And Morale
Improve faculty evaluation procedures, faculty orientations, and number of full-time faculty to improve faculty quality and morale.
Objective
Improve New Faculty Orientation And Workshops
Improve new faculty workshops and orientation sessions.
Indicator
New Faculty Orientation
New faculty will be surveyed as to what information best served their needs and what information they would like to see included in the New Faculty Orientation. This feedback will be used to add and delete information for the New Faculty Orientation.
Criterion
New Material Included In New Faculty Orientation To Address Issues From Survey
After the survey results are collected, new material will be included in the new faculty orientation.
Finding
Improving New Faculty Orientation
The survey results indicated that the distance learning portion of the New Faculty Orientation (NFO) was not effective. Although they appreciated the information regarding services at SHSU, new faculty believed it was too formal. The active learning session were reportedly fun and made new faculty think. After teaching for several months, the new faculty would have liked more information on library resources, the process for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, grant writing, and classroom management. The survey further identified that scheduling conflicts between the NFO and department and college meetings created difficulties for new faculty.
Action
Improving New Faculty Orientation
The Professional and Academic Center for Excellence (PACE) will collaborate with the college to add more depth to library, research, and grant services. The 2010-2011 new faculty will not be required to attend a distance learning segment until it can be modified to include hands-on activities. Efforts are underway to prevent conflicts between the New Faculty Orientation and Human Resources, department, and college meetings.
Objective
Salary Equity Allocations
The Dean's Office will ensure salary equity for faculty. Ensuring gender and racial equity, as well as equity for those who have served the university for a long time is essential to maintaining faculty morale.
Indicator
Salary Equity Allocations
The Dean's Office will identify faculty whose salaries are not on a par to national salaries for faculty who are productive. The Dean's Office will then allocate raise money to correct salary inequities identified by the salary equity study.
Criterion
Salary Equity Allocations Given To Correct Salary Inequities.
Salary Equity Allocations will be given from merit pay to correct salary inequities identified by the salary equity study.
Finding
Salary Equitiy Allocations
A salary equity study identified CHSS faculty with salary levels below the national level for their level of productivity. Recommendations to provide salary adjustments for these faculty were forwarded to the Office of the Provost. Actions on these recommendations are pending.
Action
Salary Equity Allotments
The Dean's Office will continue an annual evaluation of the salary structure of CHSS faculty in order to identify individuals with lower salaries than instructors of similiar rank and productivity at comparable US instutitions. Market adjustments for these individuals with be recommended.
Goal
Increase Enrollments
Encrease graduate and undergraduate enrollments in the College.
Objective
Increase The Number Of Graduate Students
Increase the enrollment of graduate students in the programs in the College.
Indicator
Increase Enrollments In Graduate Programs
Increase enrollments in graduate programs
Criterion
Increase Enrollment Of Graduate Students In Graduate Programs By 3%
The College will increase enrollment of graduate students in graduate programs by 2%. The number of graduate students enrolled in graduate programs will be compared using the Fall enrollments.
Finding
Increase Graduate Enrollments
During Fall 2008, CHSS students enrolled in 214 graduate classes (642 SCH). During Fall 2009, CHSS graduate enrollments rose to 226 (678 SCH), a 5.6% increase. The college met its goal in this area.
Action
Increase Graduate Enrollments
While the college exceeded its goals, following the President’s Initiative, CHSS has established increasing graduate enrollments as a major priority. During 2009-2010, the chairs and graduate directors in the college presented to the dean specific departmental plans for growing the quantity and quality of their graduate programs. Funds also were secured from Graduate Studies to promote new graduate programs.
Goal
Increase Development And Alumni Activities
Increase activities aimed at alumni and contributors to the College.
Objective
Active Relationship Between The College And The Alumni
The College will work with the Alumni Board to develop activities to involve the alumni with the college.
Indicator
Distinguished Alumni
An active alumni board is essential for both the development of connections between alumni and the college and the success of endeavors between the college and alumni and the community. Actively recognizing our successful alumni helps build the relationship between the college and the alumni. The Alumni Board will develop a process to select Distinguished Alumni.
Criterion
Distinguished Alumni
The Alumni Board will develop a process to select Distinguished Alumni and implement this process.
Finding
Alumni Relations And Fundraising
The CHSS Alumni Advisory Board has begun the planning and implementation of Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Faculty Awards. Nominations will be submitted in the Fall of 2010 and the first awards ceremony and dinner will be held in the Spring of 2011
Indicator
Fundraising
A successful Alumni Board is active in fundraising efforts that support the mission and goals of the college. Thus, the Alumni Board will develop a fundraising plan for support of Study Abroad students.
Criterion
Fundraising
The Alumni Board and college will develop and implement a fundraising plan for Study Abroad student support.
Finding
Fundraising
The CHSS Alumni Advisory Board has established a Scholarship Committee who are charged with raising funds for Study Away Scholarships and other scholarship programs. This year $6500 was raised.
Action
Alumni Relations
Continue the development of the Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Faculty Awards and implement an awards ceremony and dinner. Work with the Alumni Advisory Board Scholarship Committee to increase donations.