Long-Term Goal 4: Harmonious Campus Climate. Foster an harmonious student-centered campus characterized by integrity, cooperation, open dialogue and mutual respect among individuals with different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
1. Data Sources for Measuring Achievement of Long-Term Goal 4
SIUE has data on faculty, student, and alumni perceptions of the campus climate from the UCLA study of faculty, the NSSE study of freshmen and seniors, and the baccalaureate follow-up study of one-year-out graduates. Comparative data are available for the UCLA study and for NSSE, but not for the baccalaureate follow-up study. The data are displayed in Appendix 4. There are no campus-wide data about the perceptions of staff members.
2. Status in Achieving Long-Term Goal 4
Faculty views of the campus climate have generally grown more positive over the 15 years in which SIUE has participated in the UCLA study, and compare favorably to those at other four-year public institutions. For example, the percentage of faculty who say that the phrase "faculty members respect each other" is "very descriptive" of SIUE has grown from 16% in 1989 to 54% in 2004. Nationally, that percentage has increased from 24% to 50% over the same period. Similarly, the percentage of faculty who say that they have satisfactory or very satisfactory relationships with other faculty has increased substantially over the years (from 61% to 82%), and now is greater than the percentage of faculty at other four-year public institutions (from 71% to 78%).
Faculty continue to endorse in increasingly greater numbers the belief that "development of a community of students and faculty to be a high or highest priority of institution" and the SIUE percentage is now slightly higher than the percentage of faculty at other 4-year public institutions.
The percentage of faculty saying that the phrase "faculty at odds with the administration" is "very descriptive" of SIUE has fallen from 33% in 1992 to 5% in 2004. Nationally, the percentage had hovered around 22%, dropping to 16% in 2004.
Faculty perceptions of the treatment of women faculty, gay/lesbian, and minority faculty are also positive, but have decreased since 2001 (80% vs 64%). Following a recent restructuring in the Provost's Office, a new position of Assistant Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity was developed to enhance diversity initiatives. Data from other four-year public institutions on these measures is not available.
The responses of SIUE freshman and senior students to NSSE questions about campus climate are improving, but not always above consortium peers. The percentage of freshmen saying that other students are friendly and supportive and that they have a sense of belonging is quite high, markedly improving (70% to 74% from FY02 to FY06), and slightly above those in the urban consortium.
The favorable perception of seniors increased significantly from FY03 (77%) to FY 06 (85%) and is also above the urban consortium percentage. The FY06 SIUE percentage (85%) is above the urban consortium percentage of 78%.
The percentage of freshmen and seniors reporting often having serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity has fluctuated over the five years covered by the studies, and has often been lower than the urban consortium. In FY06, similar percentages of SIUE freshmen and seniors reported serious conversation with students of a different race or ethnicity when compared to urban consortium peers (44% vs 49%), (50% vs 53%), respectively.
The responses of one-year out alumni to a question asking if their SIUE experiences were "very to extremely" helpful in "contributing to a greater understanding of people with different backgrounds, habits, values, appearances, and abilities" is 63% in 2005, after hovering around 60% for alumni of 2000 through alumni of 2003 with a brief increase to 67% in 2004. Unfortunately, benchmark data are not available for other Illinois institutions on this question.
3. Highlights from FY07 in Pursuit of Long-Term Goal 4
Highlights of FY07 in pursuit of Long-Term goal 4 include:
a. During the 2006-07 academic year, the Safe Zone Committee met once and conducted one training session.
b. The criteria for awarding Johnetta Haley Scholarships are
currently being redesigned to target deserving underrepresented students who lack financial resources to attend college.
c. The "Intentional Learning Communities" program was developed and implemented through a programtitled: Bridging the Cultural Divide: Finding Common Ground. A diverse group of students was invited to engage in conversations designed to help them learn about their own belief systems in the context of one another's cultural/social values.
d. Project G.A.M.E. (Goal-Oriented African American Males Excelling) and F.A.M.E. (Females of African American Descent Modeling Excellence) courses were developed and implemented through University 112 to improve the retention of African American students..
e. The Center for International Programs and Student Government sponsored events and workshops to strengthen and enhance the internationalization of the campus climate through social interaction and travel study education. The International Recruitment Advisory Council was also formed to maintain a focus on international student enrollment.
f. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs implemented recommendations of the Civility Task Force through workshops, posters and the development of a Cougar Creed.
g. The "Our (Staff/Faculty) Commitment and Your (Student) Expectations" document was forwarded to the campus community via e-mail to inform students of their responsibility as students and campus citizens and to inform and encourage staff to fulfill the University's commitment to provide quality service to students.
4. Short-Term Goals and Plans
Fiscal Year 2008
During FY08, SIUE will focus on the following short-term goals and plans relative to Long-Term-Goal 4.
a. Examine options for the Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) program to evolve into a University Multicultural Center.
Responsibility: Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Associate Provost for Academic Planning and Program Development
Source of Funds: Existing staff time and budget
Rationale: The Center would meet the needs of underrepresented students with diverse academic abilities.
b. Implement program to introduce SIUE community to the Cougar Creed.
Responsibility: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Source of Funds: Existing staff time and budget
Rationale: Issues of incivility, disrespect and disruption can foster an unwelcoming climate if not addressed, which has an impact on the reputation of the University and the potential for declines in enrollment and campus morale.
c. Implement "Building Bridges: Finding Common Ground" program.
Responsibility: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Source of Funds: Existing budget and staff time
Rationale: SIUE is a melting pot for many cultures and ethnicities. This program is designed to enhance appreciation for cultural differences and to prepare students for a multi-cultural world community in which they will live and work.
d. Revise the Marketing and Communications plan to direct greater emphasis on the internal audience of faculty, staff, and students at SIUE.
Responsibility: Vice Chancellor for University Relations
Source of Funds: Existing staff time
Rationale: Enhanced internal communications improve dialogue and allow for a greater appreciation of the quality of the institution.
e. Install the cougar statue outside the MUC.
Responsibility: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Source of Funds: Existing
Rationale: Enhance SIUE pride and school spirit.
f. Develop an educational plan that fosters academic honesty and integrity.
Responsibility: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Source of Funds: Existing
Rationale: To educate students regarding the University's expectations for academic integrity.
g. Promote and enhance open communication and collaboration through a series of faculty lunches, open forums, and electronic updates.
Responsibility: Chancellor
Source of Funds: Existing staff time
Rationale: Improved communication builds trust and encourages collaborative efforts.
h. Direct planning and execution of SIUE's campus-wide 50th Anniversary celebration.
Responsibility: Vice Chancellor for University Relations
Source of Funds: State Funds
Rationale: Build excitement, awareness, and participation in campus-wide events celebrating contributions SIUE has made to the region in its 50-year history.