Agricultural And Industrial Sciences, Department Of
Goal
Professional Development Of Faculty
The department will require faculty to participate in professional development activities.
Objective
Participation In Professional Development
Department faculty will engage in research projects that generate professional research papers acceptable at local, regional, and national conferences.
Indicator
Professional Development
Faculty will present professional research papers at local, regional, and national conferences.
Criterion
Faculty Development Standards
Each faculty member will be required to present professional research papers at a least 2 local, regional, or national conference per academic year.
Finding
Evaluation Of Faculty Development
All faculty presented at a least 2 local, regional, or national conferences. Although we did fulfill our goal regarding faculty presentations at professional conferences we did not track how many of the professional research papers presented resulted in publications.
Action
Evaluation Of Faculty Development
Beginning in the Fall 2010 semester we will begin tracking how many of the professional research papers presented at conferences result in publications.
Goal
Provide Effective Communication With Internal And External Constituencies
The department will insure that appropriate communication channels are maintained with the College of Arts and Sciences Office, upper administration, current students, prospective students, and other external constituencies.
Objective
Communication Of Department Activities
Department will communicate mission and goals to administration, alumni and friends.
Indicator
Website
Continue to maintain website with current information.
Criterion
Website Improvement
All information on the website will be accurate and current.
Finding
Web Updates
Department web site is continually being updated with current photos of students and faculty, information about student and faculty accomplishments, club and organization activities, and more. Department faculty is pleased with the quality of the current website. However, there is curerntly no means of evaluating users' satisfaction with the website.
Indicator
Department Master Plan
Creation of Department Master Plan and satalite facility development at Gibbs Ranch.
Criterion
Plan Development And Conceptual Drawings
Department Master Plan and satalite facility development at Gibbs Ranch will be completed by the end of the academic year.
Finding
Evaluation Of Master Plan
Department Master Plan was completed. Drawings of Gibbs Ranch Educational and Research Center and an Academic Building were completed and displayed at the Centennial Celebration.
Indicator
Development And Advancement
Solicit donations and giving to the department for scholarships, facilities, classroom development, etc.
Criterion
Donations
Work with Development and Advancement Office for giving and gifts to department.
Finding
Capital Campaign
Donations to the department as of Aug. 31, 2009 - $350,815 (FY 09); September 1 - Dec. 31, 2009 - $128,038 (FY10).
Endowments for FY 10 - Farm Boy ($25,000); Gilliam ($50,000); Triplett ($100,000); Beeson ($100,000); Hankins ($50,000); Hines ($25,000); Franks ($400,000).
Verbal Agreements: Sandel ($500,000); Rod ($500,000); Byler ($1 million in-kind, sight prep for new facilities)
Developed Capital Campaign - "Vision with a Purpose"; campaign for facilities, endowments, student enrichment, etc.
Indicator
Centennial Celebration
Promotion of Department's two day Centennial Celebration with assistance from University Advancement. Department will be active in soliciting sponors, donations, and participants to the event.
Criterion
Centennial Promotion
We expect an attendance of at least 200 people per day. We expect those in attendance to include faculty, students, alumni, elected officials, and university system officials.
Finding
Celebration
400 individuals attended the Friday event and 375 attended the Saturday event. Those in attendance included: faculty, students, Congressman Brady and Representative Kolkhorst (both signed resolutions and were guest speakers), System Chancellor, and Board of Regents.
Indicator
Student Recruitment
The Department, with assistance from Ag Ambassadors, faculty, and visitor center, will be active in recruiting students.
Criterion
Recruitment Activities
Visitation will be scheduled at Texas Junior Colleges, high school college days, youth conventions, and youth competitions to provide admission and academic information to potential students. The department will participate in all Saturday@Sam events.
Finding
Recruitment
Ag Ambassadors particpated at the Texas State Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention and made over 15 school visits during the summer and fall of 2009. The department was involved with National FFA Convention and the Texas State LDE (held at SHSU). The department hosted visitors' during the Saturday@Sam event and conducted individual appointments with all prospective students.
The 12th day enrollment for Fall 2009 was 1,130 which is record enrollment for the department.
Faculty discussions regarding the recruitment events suggest a need for a new department recruitment sheet and new displays for recruiting booths.
Action
Evaluation Of Communication Activities
Website Development: We will add a feature to the website that allows users to provide feedback regarding the type and quality of information presented on the department's website. Capitial Campaign was developed but VP for Advancement recommended that the department continue with their silent phase of the campaign.
Improving Recruitment Strategies: We will adopt a new recruitment strategy sheet and purchase new displays for our recruitment booths.
A quarterly eLetter was developed and sent via email to over 2,500 alumni and friends of the department.
Goal
Procure Appropriate Resources To Facilitate The Academic Mission Of The Department
The department will monitor the classroom, laboratory, research, and out-reach (service) needs of the unit. Budget requests will reflect these needs.
Objective
Physical Development To Enhance Teaching/Learning Environment
Department will continue to upgrade and develop classrooms and laboratory facilities, equipment, and resources for effecting teaching and current technology.
Indicator
Procurement Of Property And Equipment
Each program area will develop a priority list of capital improvement items to enhance their classroom, laboratory, etc.
Criterion
Pysical And Property Improvements
There will be an increase in capital improvements for the department and its program areas.
Finding
Evaluation Of Improvements
The following capital improvements were completed:
1. Upgraded computers for Teaching Assistants.
2. Upgraded electronic teaching aides in 3 classrooms.
3. Purchased equipment for Alternative Enegry Lab (Wind, Solar, Bio-Fuel) and water conservation supplies for landscape research.
4. Upgraded equipment in AET lab, Electronics Lab, and Construction Lab.
5. Replace fences at Gibbs Ranch and painted barns.
6. Upgraded and purchased new equipment for Electronics Lab.
Indicator
Academic Facilities
Continue to work to promote the need for new facilities: Academic Building and Facilities at Gibbs Ranch.
Criterion
Plans And Timelines For Facilities
Establish a feasible timeline for development of plans and establishment of new facilities on and off campus with
Finding
Facility Development
Conceptual drawings completed.
Capital Campaign underway.
Revenue Bonds for facilities were not addressed in 2009 session by legislators, therefore, timeline is delayed until next session.
Action
Evaluation Of Improvements
Improvements in laboratory equipment and physical develpment will continue.
Goal
Provide Appropriate Personnel Resources For The Unit
The department will assess the personnel (staff and faculty) needs of the unit on an annual basis. Annual funding requests will reflect these needs and hiring decisions will be based on these needs. The department office will provide appropriate resources and encourage faculty and staff to participate in development opportunities.
Objective
Increase FTE's And Staff Positions In The Department
Increase the number of tenure-track positions and support staff in the department.
Indicator
FTE Requirements
The department will monitor growth areas and requist additional FTE's in growth areas.
Criterion
FTE's
Monitor enrollment growth in Animal Science, Ag Business, and IT to request additional FTE's in needed areas of growth. Request for .5 FTE to accompany available IT's .5 FTE that is vacant.
Finding
FTEs
Acquired an additional FTE in Industrial Technology for Fall, 2010 start date.
Requested an FTE for Animal Science.
Indicator
Fill Faculty Vacancies
Establish search committes for IT and Ag Business positions.
Criterion
Position Timeline
Interview short list candidates for AG Business Fall 09, make offer of January, 2010 start date. Post position announcement for IT position in Fall 2009, interview short list of candidates Spring 2010 for August employment.
Finding
Vacancies
Filled all Ag Business positions, candidate declined spring 2010. Offered position to new candidate with Fall, 2010 start date.
Anticipate to fill IT positions with Fall 2010 start date. Develop short list and interview Spring 2010.
Indicator
Support Staff
Request additional position for support staff in the department.
Criterion
Increase Support Staff Positions In The Department
Request for additional secretary/clerk to process degree plans and assist with adminstrative documents. Request for staff positions to management horticulture center and AET Center.
Finding
Support Staff Request
Requested for AET Center and Horticulture Center Managers. Requested for a clerk to assist with degree audits and office work. Staff position requests were not acknowledged.
Utilized work study students to assist with office load.
Action
Evaluation Of Personnel Resources
All open faculty positions were filled. Animal Science FTE has not been award and approval for support staff was not approved. Chair will continue to pursue an AnSc FTE and additional support staff for the office. The department will continue to us work study and student workers to assist with office work.