The College will increase the variety of Academic Programs
Objective
Secure Coordinating Board 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
Approval For MA In Spanish
Sam Houston State University received coordinating board approval for MA in Spanish
Action
MA In Spanish
After receiving board approval, the college recruited a first class of graduate students and began offering MA level Spanish courses.
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 preliminary authority and submit an application for final approval to offer a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the Coordinating Board.
Finding
PhD In School Psychology
The department has received permission to plan the PhD degree in School Psychology from the THECB. It has not yet completed a proposal for the creation of a PhD in School Psychology. The current plan is to submit a draft for curriculum review by Spring 2012.
Action
PhD In School Psychology
A draft proposal will be submitted for curriculum review by Spring 2012.
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 preliminary authority and submit an application for final approval to offer an MA in Digital Media from the Coordinating Board.
Finding
MA In Digital Media
The Department has received permission to plan the MA degree in Digital Media from the THECB. During AY11 the propoal for the MA in Digital Studies was submitted to the College Curriculum Committee which sent it back to the department for further review.
Action
MA In Digital Media
Because the department has been placed in the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communications, the decision to implement this program will rest with the new college.
Objective
Approval For An American Studies Minor
Secure approval for an American Studies Minor
Indicator
American Studies Minor
The college will secure Council of Academic Deans (CAD) approval to offer a minor in American Studies.
Criterion
American Studies Minor
The college will secure CAD approval to offer a minor in American Studies.
Finding
American Studies Minor
A proposal for an American Studies minor was submitted to the college undergraduate studies committee in Fall 2010. This proposal was reviewed and approved by this committee during Spring 2011, and subsequently approved by CAD for launching in 2011-2012.
Action
American Studies Minor
The interdisciplinary program will be housed in the English Department. Dr. Julie Hall will serve as coordinator.
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
Strategic Planning
Each department in the college will engaged in a strategic planning process.
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
Each Department has developed a draft strategic plan. Each Department has been requested to continue the process by identifying nodes of excellence that can be developed into areas of national prominence.
Action
Strategic Plans
Final Strategic Plans with identified nodes of excellence will be developed and submitted by Spring 2012.
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
Improving Credentials Of Incoming Graduate Students
Entering average GRE scores increased from 903 to 955 in COM and from 981 to 1062 in SOC. However, owing to decreases in average GPAs from about 3.8 to 3.5 in each of these departments, the overall matrix measuring entering student credentials (defined as [(300*GPA)+GRE] remained flat in each of these departments. During AY11, the programs with lower than average overall matrix scores were COM, PA, and SOC, with mean matrix scores of 2005, 2070, and 2189, respectively. In contrast, the departments with above average scores were PSY, ENG and HIS with matrix averages of 2364, 2281 and 2268, respectively. Despite gains in entering GRE scores, we did not meet the goal of improving by 2% the average GPA scores of COM and SOC students.
Action
Quality Of Entering Graduate Students
An analysis of the credentials of our entering graduate students indicated that the college generally has been successful at growing the size of the graduate program without reducing the quality of its incoming students. Despite significant increases in the average GRE scores in COM and SOC, the previously identified underperforming programs in the college, owing to slight decreases in entering GPAs in these programs, we did not achieve all of our goals for improving the quality of entering students. Because our greater concern in these underachieving programs was with the lower than desired GRE scores, and because the entering GPA averages in these programs remain at a respectable 3.5 level, we are modestly pleased with the progress that was made during AY11. However, continued focus on these programs needs to be given in order to ensure that growth in the size of graduate programs does not come at the expense of diminished student credentials. In addition, our analysis also identified a one year decrease in the matrix of entering student quality in our PA program. During AY12, we will need to assess this program as well in order to ensure than the college maintains a proper balance between graduate growth and quality of incoming 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 Research
In 2009, 42 undergraduate students presented and 3 published, making a total of 45 undergraduate research activities. In 2010, 62undergraduate students presented and 13 published, making a total of 75 undergraduate research activities. These numbers indicate a 67% increase in undergraduate research activity during the last year.
Action
Student Scholarship
Efforts to preserve the trajectory of undergraduate research will be persistant. During AY12, greater attention also will focus on increasing the numbers of graduate student publications and presentations. These levels have remained flat during the last two year period. Specifically, in 2009 and 2010, respectively, graduate student publications totaled 27 and 26 respectively, while student presentations total 66 and 61.
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 2009, faculty submitted 24 grants, 19 of which were funded. In 2010, 39 grants were submitted and 20 were funded. Although these figures represent a 62% increase in external grant submissions, owing to increased competitiveness during periods of economic downturn, these efforts translated into only a modest 5% increase in total grants funded.
Action
Grant Activity
While efforts to encourage faculty to apply for external funding will be sustained, during AY12 greater attention needs to be given to improving the quality of the submissions in order to increase the number of funded proposals.
Objective
Increase Per Capita Conference Presentations
The faculty in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences will increase the per capita 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 per capita professional conference presentations by 2% by faculty in the college.
Finding
Increasing Conference Presentations
In 2009, the 124 faculty members in the college produced 280 peer-reviewed presentations, thus averaging 2.26 presentations per faculty. In 2010, with 320 presentations delivered by 120 faculty members, the college averaged 2.58 presentations per faculty. The per capita average increased by 14%, exceeding the stated goal.
Action
Faculty Scholarly Presentations
Encourage faculty presentations at scholarly meetings and supply funds to support faculty travel to these meetings. Keep linkage of faculty merit raises, promotion and tenure decisions, and departmental budgets to the number of faculty presentations at scholarly meetings.
Objective
Increase Per Capita Peer-Reviewed Publications
The faculty in the College will increase the per capita number of peer-reviewed publications.
Indicator
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Universities must produce new knowledge and understanding. 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 also is measured.
Criterion
Increase The Number Of Peer-reviewed Publications By 2%
The College will increase the per capita number of peer-reviewed publications by 2%.
Finding
Increase Per Capita Peer-Reviewed Publications
In 2009, the 124 faculty members in the college published111 peer-reviewed publications, thus averaging 0.90 publications per faculty. In 2010, with 113 publications by 120 faculty, the college averaged .94 publications per faculty. The total number of peer-reviewed publications per capita increased by 5.2%, exceeding the stated goal.
Action
Faculty Research
Keep linkage of faculty merit raises, promotion and tenure decisions, and departmental budgets to the number of faculty peer-reviewed publications.
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
First year CHSS Faculty will attend a University New Faculty Investment orientation presented by the Professional and Academic Center for Excellence (PACE) Center. Evaluations received by participants at the New Faculty Investment will rate the helpfulness of each presentation and be able to list at least one thing learned from each presentation.
Criterion
New Faculty Investment
New faculty will be able to list at least one fact learned from each presentation. Additionally, at least 80% of attendees will rate each presentation as helpful.
Finding
New Faculty Investment Evaluation
New Faculty Investment Evaluation
The presentations were rated by the new faculty; The attached table provides the results.
Two sessions fell significantly below the 80% Helpfulness expectation.
Action
New Faculty Investment
PACE will share the ratings with the previous presenters so that each one can determine how to improve the results.
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 Equity Adjustments
Owing to state budgetary factors, no funds were available for merit or salary equity adjustments.
Action
Salary Equity Allocations
Faculty Evaluation System (FES) and salary data were collected on every faculty in the college. Salary Equity allocations will be delayed until funds are available.
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 by 10%.
Criterion
Increase Enrollment Of Graduate Students In Graduate Programs By 10%
Owing to the President's initiative to grow the size of graduate programs, the College will increase enrollment of graduate students in graduate programs by 10%. The number of graduate students enrolled in graduate programs will be compared using Fall and Spring semester credit hours (SCH) data.
Finding
Increase Graduate Enrollments
While 12th day graduate SCH production in Fall 2009 was 1939, 12th day graduate enrollments in Fall 2010 soared to 2119, a 9 % increase. Similarly, whereas in Spring 2010 graduate 12th day enrollments stood at 1717 SCH, the 12th day figures for Spring 2011 totaled 2041 SCH, a 19% increase. Over the course of the academic year, the college easily exceeded its goal of 10% growth.
The Graduate Director for each department in the college with a graduate program was asked to present a plan to grow graduate enrollments in her/his department without sacrificing academic quality. The plans were approved and assessed. Growth was realized in every graduate department, and the overall growth in the college exceeded 10% growth benchmark.
Action
Growth In Graduate Enrollments
Graduate enrollments will be assessed each semester.
Objective
Increase Undergraduate Enrollments
Increase undergraduate majors in programs of college by 2%
Indicator
Undergraduate Majors
Increase undergraduate majors in programs of college by 2%
Criterion
Undergraduate Majors
Increase undergraduate majors in programs of college by 2%
Finding
Undergraduate Majors
In Fall 2009 there were 2308 undergraduate majors in the programs of the college. In Fall 2010, this number increased by about 6% to 2450.
Action
Undergraduate Majors
The college exceeded its benchmark increase of 2%. One department, POL, however, experienced a slight decrease from 233 to 223 majors. Enrollments and majors will be assessed in order to ensure that no program becomes targeted as a low performing program.
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
Fundraising
Fundraising plan in place.
Criterion
Fundraising
Fundraising plan in place by AY12.
Finding
Fundraising
The College in collaboration with the CHSS Alumni Advisory Board has developed a fund raising case statement and program and has received approval to initiate fundraising in the fall of 2011.
Indicator
Distinguished Alumni
Selection of Distinguished Alumni.
Criterion
Distinguished Alumni
Selection of Distinguished Alumni during AY 2011
Finding
Distinguished Alumni
The Alumni Board established the criteria and selected the first class of Distinguished Alums. A convocation honoring these selectees was held in Spring 2011.
Action
Distinguished Alums
The event honoring the Distinguished Alums was well-attended and well-received. This tradition will be held annually in future years.
The College will actively raise funds during AY2012 for student scholarships and research and teaching support for faculty and students.