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
Departmental Website
The Departmental Website will be updated and maintained on a regularly scheduled basis.
Indicator
Updated Information
News of faculty exhibits and creative endeavors will be updated monthly. List of faculty currently in the department will be updated annually. The calendar of events will list exhibitions and be easily found. Laptop recommendations will be listed. Information about the BFA review will be available.
Criterion
Current Information
The following information will be available and accurate on the department website •Art Department Mission Statement •Programs listed and mission statement for each area •Curriculum for all BFA and BA programs •Faculty contact information and Bios •Calendar of Gaddis Geeslin Gallery •List of available Art Department Scholarships •Departmental Contact information •Guidelines for the BFA review •Guidelines for the Senior Exhibition •Description of the WASH program •Laptop recommendations
Finding
Current
The Art Department Website contains current information and can be viewed at http://www.shsu.edu/art
Action
Assess And Update
The Art Department will assess and update the Departmental website.
Objective
Art Department Newsletter
The department will publish a newsletter to distribute to alumni and members of the community and other interested organizations. The Newsletter will describe the achievements of the department, the plans and provide news of art department events and faculty research. Outstanding student achievements and scholarships will be included. The newsletter will promote fundraising for the department.
Indicator
Newsletter Publication
An 8 page color newsletter will be printed and distributed by the Art Department every fall semester.
Criterion
Newsletter
A newsletter will be published and distributed to all SHSU departments. The newsletter will include: •Student research and awards •Faculty exhibitions, publications and awards •Information about new art department faculty •Information about new developments in the art department
Finding
Newsletter Printed And Distributed In The Fall
A Newsletter that highlighted the new WASH facility was distributed in the Fall 2010.
Action
Gather Information And Publish Issue #3
The Visual Resources Librarian will gather information and design a newsletter to be distributed across campus and to alumni in the Fall of 2011.
Objective
Student Recruiting And Program Marketing
Distribute Departmental Brochures and Flyers to Regional High Schools and the SHSU Visitors Center.
Indicator
Distribution Of Brochures
Brochures describing the art department and departmental programs will be distributed throughout the state of Texas to high schools and 2 year colleges.
Criterion
Distribution Of Brochures And Information
Informational brochures will be distributed to every high school in Texas. Informational brochures will be made available to visitors in the visitors' center.
Finding
Promotional Package Needs Updating
No departmental brochures were distributed to high schools during this period. All of the high schools in Texas received a flyer describing the Weldon Hall scholarship for incoming freshmen. The departmental brochures have not been updated since they were last distributed. The departmental consensus is that the materials should be redesigned before being sent out. The brochures were distributed at Saturday at Sam and the SHSU visitor's center.
Action
New Recruitment Materials
The Art Department will design new recruitment materials highlighting the 4 BFA programs and the WASH program. The materials will be distributed to high schools throughout Texas and to visitors at Saturday at Sam.
Objective
Recruit Animation Students
Increase the number of motivated, dedicated and talented students pursuing a degree in computer animation.
Indicator
Class Enrollment
An annual count of the number of students enrolled in each Computer Animation course and a comparison of this count with that of the previous year.
Criterion
Increasing Enrollment
The number of students enrolled in animation courses and the number of animation majors is expected to increase annually for the first five years of the program. An annual increase of at least 20% is desired.
Indicator
Number Of Majors
An annual count of the number of official and unofficial majors declaring a BFA Computer Animation and a comparison of this count with that of the previous year.
Criterion
Increasing Majors
The number of declared and undeclared animation majors will increase annually for the first five years of the program. An annual increase of at least 20% is desired.
Finding
Increasing Enrollment
By measuring the number of official and unofficial majors in the fall semester, the number of Computer Animation Majors continues to increase. Fall 2007 - 23 Fall 2008 - 78 (increase of 239%) Fall 2009 - 93 (increase of 19%) Fall 2010 - 151 In 2010-11 the number of animation majors increased by 62%.
Action
Expand Recruitment Efforts In Studio And Photography Programs
The Art Department will promote the Computer Animation program and recruit more heavily for quality students in Studio and Photography.
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
Laptop Initiative Program
Institute the Laptop Initiative, requiring all incoming students to purchase a laptop and software for use in the BFA programs in Art.
Indicator
WASH Laptops
Students in the WASH program will be required to purchase laptops and software for the BFA program that they choose. Distinct laptop specifications and software requirements will be made available for each of the four BFA programs. All incoming Art students are required to take WASH before other art courses.
Criterion
Laptops Used In WASH
All of the students in WASH will be required to own a laptop and to use it on assignments in the WASH program.
Finding
40% Compliance
90 students were enrolled in the WASH program in Spring 2011 when the Laptop Initiative began. 36 of the 90 had purchase the required hardware and software. The remaining students met with faculty to develop a timeline and a plan for purchase.
Action
Use WASH As A Platform For Laptop Initiative
Students in WASH will be advised on software and hardware requirements specific to their course of study and surveyed for compliance. Students not in compliance will develop a plan and a timeline for purchase.
Objective
Initiate Plans For New Facilities
The department will begin planning for new facilities scheduled to be built in five years.
Indicator
Assess Needs
The department will assess its current facilities and determine what the future needs will be.
Criterion
Plan
A plan will be developed for faculty input into the needs and design of new facilities. This plan will be implemented by the end of the spring 2011 semester.
Finding
Plan Is Premature
The department continues to express the need for new facilities but there are mixed signals from various levels of upper administration. The need for new facilities is acknowledged and there is a consensus that it will happen. However, there is no definite timeline or budget and the department is transitioning to a new college with a new dean. The plan has also been threatened by the fiscal circumstances of the state and the expected budget cuts for the university.
Action
Plans Suspended
The art department will work with the new dean of the college to create a timeline and a budget for new facilities. The department will assess its needs and determine the desired and expected growth for the next 5 and 10 years as the plan is developed.
Objective
Provide Space For The Photography Program
The Photography Program currently uses space in the Dan Rather Communications Building, separated across campus from the Art Department. It is desirable for all of the disciplines in the Art Department to be close to one another. This should stimulate creativity and inter-disciplinary exchange.
Indicator
Digital Labs And Photo Studio
A building adjacent to the Fine Arts Complex was acquired for use by the Art Department and interior construction has been approved. The space will be used for a digital lab and a photo studio. The digital darkroom will be moved to Art Building D in a room formerly used as a design studio.
Criterion
Photography In Fine Art Complex
All of the Photography Offices, classrooms and studios will be located in the Fine Art Complex buildings by Fall 2011 semester. All of the offices, classrooms, and studios use by Photography in the Dan Rather Communications building will be vacated.
Finding
Construction Planned
Remodeling of the former Design Studio in Art Building D is planned for Summer 2011 and scheduled to be completed by Fall 2011. The new space will house a digital darkroom with printers and computers, a critique room and 3 faculty offices.
Action
Move Studios And Labs
The Digital Darkroom and the Photography Critique room will relocate to newly remodeled facilities in Art Building D as soon as construction is complete.
Objective
Assess Computer Labs
Assess current versions of software applications and upgrade hardware as necessary to meet industry standards.
Indicator
Assess Hardware And Software Of Labs
An annual evaluation of computer labs and software configurations for comparison with the current industry standards for computer animation.
Criterion
Current Software Applications
The Department will have Adobe CS5 applications for students at all workstations in 5 computer labs. The Animation lab will have Adobe CS5 production bundle and Autodesk Maya 2011 at all workstations in 2 labs.
Finding
Software Is Current In Networked Labs
The computer labs that are on the University network have the current versions of required software. The non networked labs in Computer animation and photography are current but need operating system upgrades. The networked labs have serious performance problems related to the network.
Action
Work With IT On Solutions For Better Performance
The Art Department will work with Information Technology to find solutions for improving the performance of the networked computer labs.
Goal
Provide A Quality Contemporary Art Program
The Art Department will continue to build and maintain a diverse and contemporary program that will promote critical thinking, creative problem solving, and aesthetic understanding in both the student body and the faculty.
Objective
NASAD Accreditation
The Art Department will pursue membership in the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the accrediting body for schools with art programs.
Indicator
Self Study
The Art Department will produce a Self Study Document to submit to a NASAD visitation team. The Self Study will describe the Art Department in relation to the standards set forth in the NASAD Handbook.
Criterion
Prepared Draft
A first Draft of the Self Study will be complete by the end of the Spring Semester 2011. The final draft will be presented to NASAD 6 weeks before the site visit scheduled for November 2011.
Finding
Self Study In Progress
The Self Study was not completed by the end of the Spring Semester. The site visit is scheduled for early November 2011.
Action
Complete Self Study
The self study document will be completed by the beginning of the fall semester and sent to the evaluators by September 15, 2011.
Objective
Attract And Retain Quality Faculty
The Art Department will fill faculty vacancies with candidates with terminal degrees who are actively conducting research in their discipline.
Indicator
Fill 2 Faculty Positions For WASH
A Search Committee will be formed within the department to find and hire 2 tenure track faculty members. One to teach Art History and one to teach Computer Animation.
Criterion
2 Tenure Track Appointments
Candidates will be interviewed initially by the search committee, top candidates will be brought to SHSU for onsite interviews and 2 candidates will be offered contracts for the fall 2011. One candidate will have an MFA in Computer Animation or a related field, one will have a PhD in Art History.
Finding
1 Position Filled
A candidate has accepted the position of Assistant Professor to teach Computer Animation beginning in the Fall of 2011. The candidate chosen for the Art History position accepted a position at another school and the search failed to find a satisfactory second choice.
Action
Search For Tenure Track Art Historian
The Art History position will be filled with a Visiting Assistant Professor. The department will search for a Tenure Track Art Historian with expertise in Contemporary Art.
Objective
BFA Review
The Art Department will conduct a portfolio review of students upon the completion of the foundation courses. The review will consist of student work from these classes presented to a faculty committee. Students will pass the review before admission to BFA programs in Studio Art, Graphic Design, Computer Animation or Photography. The review will offer faculty the opportunity to asses the student's individual progress. The process of reviewing a body of student work will also provide the opportunity to assess the following courses required before the review: Art 130 and 131 (WASH) Art 163 (Drawing) Art 164 (Life Drawing 1) Art 262 (Foundations in Digital Art)
Indicator
BFA Review Will Be A Gate
Successful completion of the BFA review will be required BEFORE students take upper division courses in their selected program.
Criterion
Full Compliance
There will be zero students enrolled in upper division courses who have not passed the BFA review or declared a BA major.
Finding
Students Avoided Review
At least 2 students enrolled in upper level classes without participating in the BFA review. The students were advised to take the review at the proper time but did not and continued to take classes for the BFA degree.
Action
Require The BFA Review For Sophomores
The BFA Review will be required when students have completed WASH, ARTS 1316 Drawing 1, ARTS 2313 Foundations in Digital Art, ARTS 1317 Life Drawing 1, and the first course in their specific BFA. The implementation of Banner will allow the department to restrict enrollment if an official declaration of major is not in place. Since the official declaration is signed upon passing the BFA review, the department will consider placing restrictions on upper level classes.
Objective
Graduating Senior Exhibition
Use the Senior Exhibition as an assessment for upper level studio courses.
Indicator
Graduating Seniors Work Will Be Assessed
The Graduating Senior exhibition offers an opportunity for assessment of upper level art courses, much like the BFA review allows faculty to asses the foundation courses. The indicator will be that students have guidelines and understand the requirement and faculty have criteria by which to asses the work.
Criterion
Senior Exhibitions
Seniors graduating with a BFA in Graphic Design will hold an exhibition every spring semester when they are enrolled in ART 434. Seniors graduating with BFA's in Studio art and Photography will exhibit their work each semester. The students exhibiting this work will be enrolled in ART 493W or ART 495W. Seniors in Computer Animation will take ART 490 and produce a Demo Reel of their best work.
Finding
Senior Exhibition Requirement Successful
ARTS 4316 Survival Tools of the Artist (ART 494) has been defined as the capstone class for the BFA Studio degree. all of the students in this course were required to have a one person or two person exhibition at the SOFA Gallery, the LSC Gallery, or an appropriate off-campus exhibition venue. All of the students participated as part of their senior thesis project. These exhibitions of art work were used to assess the BFA Studio program. Some BFA Photography students were also enrolled in the class and held the required exhibitions. In addition to these student exhibitions, the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery held a Graduating Senior Exhibition with works by graduating seniors in Photography and Studio Art and Computer Animation at the end of both the Fall and Spring semesters. Students enrolled in ARTS 4323 Senior Studio (ART 434) in Graphic Design held an exhibition of their work in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery and the end of the Spring Semester. Each student exhibited a body of work that showed a range of techniques, skills, and design abilities. The work in this exhibition was also used to assess the BFA in Graphic Design.
Action
Require BFA Photography Students To Have Senior Exhibitions
The Art Department will require BFA Studio majors to have a one person or two person exhibition as part of ARTS 4316. Photography Students in ARTS 4378 Portfolio will also be required to have a one person or two person exhibition as part of their thesis project. Graphic Design Students in ARTS 4323 will have a Senior Exhibition as part of the course. Computer Animation students will exhibit their demo reels created in ARTS 4358 Animation Portfolio in the Graduating Senior Exhibition at the end of every semester All of these Exhibitions will be used as assessment tools for the BFA degree programs.
Objective
W.A.S.H. Program
Establish a WASH (Workshop in Art Studio and Practice) Program to replace ART 161, 265, and 271 as foundation courses. Students will be immersed in a 9 hour block of courses that will emphasis expression in 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional forms using contemporary art and theory as a model. The program will consist of 6 hours of studio credit and 3 hours lecture.
Indicator
The W.A.S.H Program Will Be Offered To All BFA Students
All BFA majors in Art Studio, Photography, Graphic Design, and Computer Animation will go through the W.A.S.H. Program in the first semester they are enrolled in a BFA program.
Criterion
Elimination Of ART 161, 265, And 271
ART 161, 265, and 271 will no longer be offered. All BFA students will enroll in the WASH program their first semester.
Finding
WASH Program Successfully Implemented Across All BFA Programs
A third faculty member was added to teach WASH with the two existing faculty. Two sections were added and the number of students able to enroll in WASH doubled from 50 to 100 per semester. BFA Graphic Design students were required to take WASH and a backlog of students on waiting lists were able to complete WASH.
ARTS 161, 265, and 271 were offered for the last time in the Fall 2010 semester.
Action
Offer 2 Sections Of WASH
Offer 2 Sections of WASH each Fall and Spring semester. Limit the class size to 30 students each section.
Goal
Promote Creative Research
The Art Department will promote creative research by the students and faculty.
Objective
Laptop Initiative Program
Institute the Laptop Initiative, requiring all incoming students to purchase a laptop and software for use in the BFA programs in Art.
Indicator
WASH Laptops
Students in the WASH program will be required to purchase laptops and software for the BFA program that they choose. Distinct laptop specifications and software requirements will be made available for each of the four BFA programs. All incoming Art students are required to take WASH before other art courses.
Criterion
Laptops Used In WASH
All of the students in WASH will be required to own a laptop and to use it on assignments in the WASH program.
Finding
40% Compliance
90 students were enrolled in the WASH program in Spring 2011 when the Laptop Initiative began. 36 of the 90 had purchase the required hardware and software. The remaining students met with faculty to develop a timeline and a plan for purchase.
Action
Use WASH As A Platform For Laptop Initiative
Students in WASH will be advised on software and hardware requirements specific to their course of study and surveyed for compliance. Students not in compliance will develop a plan and a timeline for purchase.
Objective
Provide Space For The Photography Program
The Photography Program currently uses space in the Dan Rather Communications Building, separated across campus from the Art Department. It is desirable for all of the disciplines in the Art Department to be close to one another. This should stimulate creativity and inter-disciplinary exchange.
Indicator
Digital Labs And Photo Studio
A building adjacent to the Fine Arts Complex was acquired for use by the Art Department and interior construction has been approved. The space will be used for a digital lab and a photo studio. The digital darkroom will be moved to Art Building D in a room formerly used as a design studio.
Criterion
Photography In Fine Art Complex
All of the Photography Offices, classrooms and studios will be located in the Fine Art Complex buildings by Fall 2011 semester. All of the offices, classrooms, and studios use by Photography in the Dan Rather Communications building will be vacated.
Finding
Construction Planned
Remodeling of the former Design Studio in Art Building D is planned for Summer 2011 and scheduled to be completed by Fall 2011. The new space will house a digital darkroom with printers and computers, a critique room and 3 faculty offices.
Action
Move Studios And Labs
The Digital Darkroom and the Photography Critique room will relocate to newly remodeled facilities in Art Building D as soon as construction is complete.
Objective
Graduating Senior Exhibition
Use the Senior Exhibition as an assessment for upper level studio courses.
Indicator
Graduating Seniors Work Will Be Assessed
The Graduating Senior exhibition offers an opportunity for assessment of upper level art courses, much like the BFA review allows faculty to asses the foundation courses. The indicator will be that students have guidelines and understand the requirement and faculty have criteria by which to asses the work.
Criterion
Senior Exhibitions
Seniors graduating with a BFA in Graphic Design will hold an exhibition every spring semester when they are enrolled in ART 434. Seniors graduating with BFA's in Studio art and Photography will exhibit their work each semester. The students exhibiting this work will be enrolled in ART 493W or ART 495W. Seniors in Computer Animation will take ART 490 and produce a Demo Reel of their best work.
Finding
Senior Exhibition Requirement Successful
ARTS 4316 Survival Tools of the Artist (ART 494) has been defined as the capstone class for the BFA Studio degree. all of the students in this course were required to have a one person or two person exhibition at the SOFA Gallery, the LSC Gallery, or an appropriate off-campus exhibition venue. All of the students participated as part of their senior thesis project. These exhibitions of art work were used to assess the BFA Studio program. Some BFA Photography students were also enrolled in the class and held the required exhibitions. In addition to these student exhibitions, the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery held a Graduating Senior Exhibition with works by graduating seniors in Photography and Studio Art and Computer Animation at the end of both the Fall and Spring semesters. Students enrolled in ARTS 4323 Senior Studio (ART 434) in Graphic Design held an exhibition of their work in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery and the end of the Spring Semester. Each student exhibited a body of work that showed a range of techniques, skills, and design abilities. The work in this exhibition was also used to assess the BFA in Graphic Design.
Action
Require BFA Photography Students To Have Senior Exhibitions
The Art Department will require BFA Studio majors to have a one person or two person exhibition as part of ARTS 4316. Photography Students in ARTS 4378 Portfolio will also be required to have a one person or two person exhibition as part of their thesis project. Graphic Design Students in ARTS 4323 will have a Senior Exhibition as part of the course. Computer Animation students will exhibit their demo reels created in ARTS 4358 Animation Portfolio in the Graduating Senior Exhibition at the end of every semester All of these Exhibitions will be used as assessment tools for the BFA degree programs.
Objective
Award Scholarships To Outstanding Students
The Art Department will distribute money from endowed scholarships to students annually for creative work that is deemed worthy of support by faculty committees and outside jurors.
Indicator
Scholarship Awards
Scholarships will be awarded in the Spring Semester.
Criterion
Awards
At least $10,000 will be awarded to students in the 2009-2010 year.
Finding
Over $20,000 Awarded To Students
$4,550 was given as awards in the Spring 2011 Juried Student Show and $20,260 were given in scholarships to students by the Art Department in the Fall and Spring 2011.
Action
Support Scholarships
The Art Department will award scholarships to students based on the criteria of the various endowments. The Art Department will actively seek to raise funds to support existing scholarship and for the creation of new endowments.
Goal
Professional Opportunities For Students
The department encourages students to attend and present at relevant conferences.
Objective
Business Practices
Students will learn to organize design projects and work effectively as a member of a team.
Indicator
American Advertising Federation Student Conference
Students in ART 432 will attend the American Advertising Federation Student Conference. They work in teams with students from other disciplines (e.g. marketing, business, and journalism) at corporation or advertising agencies and design firms to develop an advertising campaign for that company. Business professionals selected by the conference committee will evaluate the student projects and determine awards for excellence.
Criterion
Conference Attendance
All students in ART 432 are required to attend the conference. It is expected that at least 80% will participate.
Finding
Satisfactory Participation
94% of the students in ART 432 attended the Advertising Federation Student Conference and worked in teams with students from other disciplines on design projects.
Action
Participate In The Design Conference
The Graphic Design Program will require students to participate in the AAF Student Conference and work as a team member on an advertising project.
We will also work as a faculty to strengthen students' grasp of use of type as a sophisticated design element, selection and use of imagery to appropriately convey a theme or idea and synthesis of the visual elements into a cohesive whole that conveys the essence of the product, company, or message that the work represents.