Summary of College Objectives

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
As a learning-centered college, we dedicate all programs, services, and resources to student success with a commitment to continuously monitor, assess, and improve our performance. New and continuing projects and their impact on staff and college resources will be examined within this framework.

To foster continuous improvement, Moraine Valley will:

A. EMPHASIZE AND PROMOTE STUDENT SUCCESS

• Implement a procedure to improve access to educational programs and services by maximizing utilization of on- and off-campus facilities and effective scheduling of programs, services, and courses in response to student and community needs (Strategic Planning–Academic Quality Improvement Program project)
• Examine factors that affect the progress and success of students enrolling in online and Web-assisted courses and identify and implement components for successful delivery of online courses, certificates, and/or degrees (Strategic Planning–Academic Quality Improvement Program project)
• Implement a plan to identify, assess, place, and establish support mechanisms for students in developmental education (Strategic Planning–Academic Quality Improvement Program project)
• Focus on student success and retention within individual courses, across terms, and through graduation rates, including how well students are meeting objectives, the quality of the student experience, and how these factors measure up against established benchmarks
• Use the strategic process to identify and develop new curriculum
• Maintain and enhance high-quality, high-standard academic programs
• Support faculty and staff development in areas of creative learning strategies, technology, leadership, student learning styles, and global learning
• Maintain and enhance well-designed, coordinated, and pro-active student support services
• Assess and improve technology support systems that advance student access to learning
• Continue to provide a safe, comfortable, and welcoming learning environment

OBJECTIVES

1. Develop and engage in a multi-year objective to better define and better understand how to cultivate information literacy skills in our students.

2. Assist and support faculty in the use and integration of technology into classroom assignments, projects, and other educational initiatives.

3. Integrate methods of remote delivery of instructional software tools to faculty.

4. Create and lead a campuswide Instructional Technology Committee.

5. Assume responsibility for Center for Teaching and Learning Blackboard and podium training sessions.

6. Provide a usable and comfortable method for faculty to record multimedia objects for inclusion in online course delivery.

7. Develop a textbook collection in the library (Year one of a multi-year objective).

8. Expand library electronic e-reserves training to include the entire circulation department; develop e-reserves procedures and processes, and implement e-reserves processes into circulation workflow.

9. Expand the number of laptop computers available for use by students in the library.

10. Teach workshops and consult one-to-one on how to apply the Turnitin service into the curriculum to prevent plagiarism.

11. Develop and implement library services, instruction, and support for distance education students and faculty (year three of a multiyear objective).

12. Create a community of learners that includes faculty, administration, and staff to develop an organizational culture that will support and promote online learning.

13. Increase enrollment, retention, and student success in online courses at Moraine Valley.

14. Successfully and collaboratively create a continuous improvement model for online learning.

15. Review library services and processes to ensure they are being provided in an effective and efficient manner to all students regardless of where they are located.

16. Develop a collection management plan for library print, nonprint, and electronic resources (year two of a multi-year objective).

17. Review and update Social Science class outlines and syllabi and develop a standard course outline.

18. Review textbook policies and investigate choosing departmental textbooks or limiting options for adjunct faculty.

19. Use data collected during previous semesters to assess COM-102 at the course level.

20. Review course outlines and model syllabi for composition, literature, speech, and foreign language and update as necessary.

21. Maintain a competitive edge in curriculum by piloting new online and hybrid psychology courses.

22. Implement new humanities courses and develop a HUM-101 honors course.

23. Research and define student success in developmental education courses.

24. Convert the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program curriculum to a 1+1 curriculum that will allow enrolled students to sit for Licensed Practical Nurse licensing exam at the end of the first two semesters of the program.

25. Initiate first completely online class for NUR-138 (Pharmacology II) and evaluate student success compared to face-to-face class.

26. Maintain and upgrade simulation lab experiences for students in all levels of the Nursing Program.

27. Provide more up-to-date instructional and delivery methods in biological sciences.

28. Maintain high levels of anatomy/physiology and microbiology open lab hours.

29. Implement a revised BIO-115 course.

30. Provide day, evening, weekend, and one-day-a-week biology course selection options, allowing students maximum flexibility in developing class schedules.

31. Adopt a new textbook for MTH-141, a high enrollment course, that will be
    custom-published at lower cost and better match the course objectives and syllabus.

32. Begin the process of converting MTH-142 from 2 credit hours to 3 credit hours.

33. Develop a PHY-107 lab manual.

34. Develop new physics experiments to improve curriculum in the new science building.

35. Investigate creating a new dean’s position dealing primarily with allied health programs and rebalancing program assignments to all subdivisions.

36. Create a system consistent with ICCB requirements so that each ABE course student has access to a textbook.

37. Make the Network Operations Center a more student-centered department by adding to and complementing the students’ learning experience at the college.

38. Provide hands-on assistance with targeted groups in completing the financial aid form (FAFSA) to ensure successful admission to college.

39. Provide information about financial opportunities available to students to ensure successful admission and retention.

40. Work with Academic Affairs to package classes for special populations (e.g., athletes) and explore potential learning communities and bridge program options for Center for Disability Services students and adult students.

41. Establish and institute a collegewide campaign to promote campus civility and academic integrity.

42. Identify academic, career, and social development needs of undecided part-time learners and develop intrusive and proactive programs and services to encourage academic and personal success of these students (year one of three-year objective).

43. Design intentional programming and services for adult/part-time students to enhance their learning and goal attainment while promoting academic and social integration into the college experience.

44. Continue to explore team building/success program for student-athletes with other areas of the college, including Counseling and Enrichment Services (for example, a mandatory study hall).

45. Offer e-COMPASS testing at five to seven area high schools.

46. Assist Workforce Investment Act program participants with the steps necessary to access vocational training programs.

47. Create new support materials and resources for international students for pre-arrival and orientation that address their needs and improve the academic advising experience for undecided, transfer, and career degree-seeking international students.

48. Use the DRIVE model for process improvement to assess on-campus recruitment services and employer events at the annual job fair.

49. Develop and offer intrusive and proactive programs and services to encourage academic and personal success of multicultural students who self-identify as undecided part-time students.

50. Work with the Registration Office to schedule registration workshops to provide timely information and assistance to Student Support Services participants.

51. Develop a resource center for incoming and current students that will clearly explain the most basic information needed to navigate registration policies and procedures at Moraine Valley.

52. Initiate the introduction of the DARS (Degree Audit Record Systems) programs for online use as part of the co-curriculum workshops offered for COL-101.

53. Explore the development of a pilot program to ensure a smooth transfer transition/ matriculation for students to four-year universities.

54. Prepare a report identifying enrollment patterns of dual enrollment/dual credit students and analyze their performance at Moraine Valley.

55. Develop a plan to use National Student Clearinghouse data to track transfer status and/or graduation outcomes of selected cohorts of former Moraine Valley students.

56. Develop a process to offer online options for graduate and current-student surveys to improve response rates and lower mailing costs.

B. ENHANCE COMMUNITY AWARENESS, CONNECTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

• Develop and nurture relationships with P-12 faculty and staff, students, and their parents
• Support seamless and successful high school to college transitions
• Develop and implement programs for adults and senior citizens and strategies to recruit and retain them
• Assess and implement the college’s comprehensive enrollment management and marketing plan
• Develop and foster a new brand identity for Moraine Valley to help support and communicate the college mission
• Develop, strengthen, and maintain community relationships and partnerships to maximize resources and identify opportunities to meet the needs of our educational partners, business partners, and community members
• Continue to provide support to help local governments attract and retain business
• Strengthen our role as an economic resource and a leader in our community, region, state, nation, and world
• Continue to serve as an educational resource and leader for P-12 programs
• Strengthen alumni relations
• Promote the college as a community resource and cultural center

OBJECTIVES

1. Support the library mission by communicating information about library services to the  students, faculty, staff, and the larger community.

2. Coordinate and host the 7th Annual Information Literacy Summit, a statewide collaborative activity that brings together librarians, other educators, and experts from public libraries, middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.

3. Co-chair the LOEX 2008 (national information literacy conference) planning committee and plan and coordinate the May 2008 LOEX conference.

4. Support the development of the new Small Business Resource Center and the expansion of the Business Solutions unit in Workforce Development and Community Services.

5. Investigate the possibility of building a partnership between Education and Information Management Systems faculty to determine if a multimedia certificate for teachers and paraprofessionals is viable.

6. Coordinate meetings with high school and Fine and Performing Arts Center faculty to  determine how the academic arts at Moraine Valley can implement mutually beneficial  partnerships.

7. Implement a summer band or theater camp to develop and foster high school and Moraine Valley students’ interest in the arts.

8. Plan and design the Education Center in the southwest sector of our district.

9. Develop a coordinated effort for Information Management Systems recruitment activities.

10. Upgrade the Police Department’s current VHF radio system to a more effective and efficient UHF system to improve communications and allow interoperability with other local law enforcement agencies.

11. Utilize diverse print media for advertising of college bids.

12. Explore and identify pre-college efforts to advance educational access of specific targeted adult student populations.

13. Coordinate a high school survey of graduating seniors to determine perceptions about Moraine Valley and interest in attending college and complete an overall summary report and individual reports for each high school (year two of two-year project).

14. Review and update the plan to institute a News Bureau.

15. Complete and implement the three-year plan to strengthen ties with the community.

16. Increase adult-targeted marketing to inform nontraditional-age community residents about educational opportunities at Moraine Valley.

17. Improve the quality of the statistical/supplemental section of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Audit document to comply with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement 44.

C. EMBRACE DIVERSITY

• Integrate diversity and inclusion into appropriate college practices and processes (Strategic Planning–Academic Quality Improvement Program project)
• Implement new faculty and staff recruitment and retention strategies (Strategic Planning–Academic Quality Improvement Program project)
• Integrate diversity into the curriculum and classroom (Strategic Planning–Academic Quality Improvement Program project)
• Continue to integrate global and intercultural perspectives into programs and services
• Acknowledge the different needs of specific groups and individuals—traditional and nontraditional, native and international, younger and older, online and on-campus, minority and majority—and provide specific services to meet those needs
• Lessen barriers that exist, including those of access, financial means, and preparedness
• Foster programs and support services that make all students feel welcome, that provide positive and meaningful interactions with faculty and staff, and that are designed for students of a variety of backgrounds and experiences
• Cultivate a faculty and staff rich with cultural competencies—to respect the cultural, social, and academic needs of all learners—and to increase awareness of diversity and knowledge of inclusive practices

OBJECTIVES

1. Plan and implement several events as part of the “One Book, One College program”  (Alex Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X).

2. Continue efforts in determining the impact of generational diversity on Computer Integrated Technologies Department students based on generational learning styles and their impact on student success.

3. Implement diversity training for all new employees.

4. Develop a mentoring program for all benefit-eligible staff members.

5. Develop partnership relationships with graduate schools to increase the college’s applicant pools and diversity within those pools.

6. Attend off-campus and hold on-campus job fairs to increase applicant pools and increase  diversity within those pools.

7. Evaluate Admissions presentations and assess their effectiveness, including content for diversity, inclusion, and student needs, and revise as needed.

8. Identify and determine the feasibility of additional student services to address the needs of the diverse student population at the Moraine Valley Education Center at Blue Island.

9. Enhance the atmosphere of the college experience and promote diversity throughout our buildings with the use of streaming banners.

D. PLAN, ACHIEVE, AND MANAGE GROWTH

• Develop, communicate, and execute plans, processes, and procedures consistent with student and community needs and the college’s mission
• Maintain a process to allocate and/or reallocate resources based on the college’s Strategic Priorities
• Pursue alternative sources of revenue to support growth and keep tuition affordable
• Continue to look for opportunities to maximize resources and contain costs
• Hire and retain an appropriate mix of full-time and part-time faculty and staff
• Develop and implement a transition plan for the new campus facilities, including programs, staffing, and business plans
• Recommend and implement a new business system that will improve services to students and increase staff efficiency
• Continue to plan for sustainable growth and consider environmental issues in plans for new and remodeled facilities
• Investigate and evaluate the feasibility of adding to the number of off-campus sites to expand regional outreach efforts and improve accessibility

OBJECTIVES

1. Investigate the educational opportunities offered by online virtual worlds, specifically “Second Life,” and develop a pilot program that allows Moraine Valley to establish a  presence in Second Life.

2. Investigate the deployment and support of a computer server for the Center for Teaching and Learning that offers both internal and external access.

3. Explore avenues for growth of library services in the virtual environment by developing a better-conceptualized assessment plan for the library’s Web site and by acting on the initial findings from the distance education needs assessment.

4. Review survey recommendations related to library signage and determine which signs are needed, the wording of the signage, where signs are to be located, costs involved, space issues, and policies that need to be communicated.

5. Research current nontraditional learning formats and plan for evolving trends in this area.

6. Streamline the operational processes of the Moraine Valley post office by examining the feasibility of combining services and bringing all bulk and business reply accounts under the umbrella of the mail room.

7. Construct a new south parking lot and complete construction of a new southwest parking lot.

8. Plan and implement the replacement of Building B ceiling tiles in all public spaces.

9. Implement the completion of Campus Services Building garages.

10. Implement mechanical improvements to Boiler House No. 1.

11. Complete construction of new Campus Services Building.

12. Sealcoat and re-stripe parking lots and replace broken sidewalks campuswide.

13. Replace old and worn classroom furniture and student lounge areas to continue to improve the appearance of the college buildings.

14. Review current bidding documents and update as necessary to assist in maintenance of vendor files.

15. Update the college’s e-mail system to Exchange 2007 with a storage area network device.

16. Migrate Novell to a pure Microsoft 2003 AD environment.

17. Upgrade version of Oracle database software running on the new business system servers to ensure continued support both by Oracle and by our software vendors, including Sigma, DARS, etc.

18. Continue to assist with the planning and design phase of new multimedia systems for the new campus buildings and remodeling that will be generated by bond project funding.

19. Continue with the planning, implementation, and installation of new multimedia systems for the new Campus Services Building.

20. Continue to assist the Center for Teaching and Learning with recommendations for new multimedia technology equipment hardware and software purchases and installation of new instructional technology as needed.

21. Continue to plan, assist with, and provide staging logistics and support for outside groups and institutions that seek venues and services that Moraine Valley can provide (i.e., graduation staging, video conferences, business meetings, etc.)

22. Re-engineer core business processes and management reporting to provide decision makers with relevant, forward-looking information, including translating financial data into meaningful information.

23. Identify past scanning issues and design a plan for sampling and testing of scanned documents.

E. BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITY THROUGH CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Improve institutional effectiveness efforts by integrating the following major college processes at all levels of the organization—departmental and collegewide: assessment of student academic achievement, strategic and annual planning, budgeting, and performance evaluation (Strategic Planning–Academic Quality Improvement Program project)
• Use the college’s continuous improvement model to review institutional processes, systems, and structures to ensure efficient operations, strategic thinking, and improved curricula, programs, and services
• Update and expand the current technological infrastructure and increase automation in all technology and operating systems
• Review procedures and processes to eliminate redundancy as well as tasks that do not support the mission or strategic plan of the college
• Make data-driven decisions with input from stakeholders across the organization
• Improve current internal communication mechanisms to achieve greater collaboration and efficiency
• Emphasize comprehensive professional development, including training employees to keep pace with technological advancements
• Promote innovation and risk-taking to strengthen organizational capability

OBJECTIVES

1. Develop and provide workshops for faculty and staff for currently used core technologies, newly adopted technologies, and emerging technologies of interest.

2. Contract with furniture refinisher to refinish technology and study carrels and study tables in the library.

3. Conduct an assessment of library circulation services (year one of a multi-year objective).

4. Enhance student use of the library’s space by enclosing Coffee Bar with a glass wall.

5. Develop a staff handbook of library services and procedures.

6. Enhance library productivity and efficiency through the implementation of the Innovative Interfaces Millennium software modules (year four of multi-year objective).

7. Assess library reference desk services and develop a continuous improvement plan based on the results of the assessment activities (year two of a two-year objective).

8. Strengthen the organizational structure within Workforce Development and Community Services to better serve our customers.

9. Evaluate current textbook choice policies, and identify mechanisms to reduce textbook costs.

10. Implement course assessment in PSY-101 to ensure academic effectiveness and continuous improvement process.

11. Revise and maintain all psychology course outlines in Curricunet.

12. Create ability to offer classes at multiple off-campus locations that are linked to each other or to the main campus through distance education technology.

13. Attend training to learn the new (Daisy) data collection system, and use it to analyze  program data for decision-making and continuous program improvement.

14. Attend Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) training to learn the new Illinois Adult  Education Standards for English language learners.

15. Implement and evaluate the new departmental textbook reduction program for the  Computer Integrated Technologies department.

16. Automate part, or all if possible, of the absence tracking process.

17. Automate part of the faculty load process to expedite the payment of adjunct faculty.

18. Further develop the college’s Wellness Program.

19. Keep the cafeteria menus fresh and exciting for the students, and ensure that food services run efficiently during construction renovations.

20. Continue to work with new Nebraska bookstore system to improve inventory control.

21. Hire fire and life safety consultants to further enhance emergency preparedness (severe weather conditions, disasters, fires, etc.), including drills and training sessions for the entire college community.

22. Explore process and procedure of automating travel authorizations for processing and  reimbursement electronically.

23. Review, identify, and document current purchasing procedures, including items such as  bidding, vendors, requisitions, etc.

24. Review and evaluate current shipping and receiving delivery practices, and develop new processes if necessary.

25. Review purchasing procedures, and team with other departments to develop a cross-department manual for most college financial transactions.

26. Research the requirements for and develop a plan to provide students with e-mail.

27. Purchase and implement identity management (IDM) solution to help streamline the ID provisioning processes for students and staff.

28. Provide wireless Internet access to all indoor campus locations and outdoors up to the perimeter road.

29. Explore the purchase of Core Impact tool, which provides automated penetration testing, assessments, and comprehensive reports to ensure a more secure network environment.

30. Work with divisions across campus to develop a business continuity/disaster recovery plan as part of an overall “all hazards” plan.

31. Initiate a monthly preventative maintenance smart classroom equipment operations/performance status check program.

32. Explore the purchase of an IP telephony paging system.

33. Explore purchase of a telephone/e-mail notification broadcast system.

34. Review and assess the current load process for students.

35. Enhance procedures and efficiency of all enrollment services through scanning and indexing of all incoming as well as current backlog paperwork.

36. Redesign and create Web-based Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) programming to help develop successful students.

37. Plan, coordinate, and conduct CCSSE (Community College Survey of Student Engagement).

38. Provide leadership and support for the development of the Systems Portfolio; collect data as requested; and plan, develop, and implement surveys as needed by AQIP teams.

39. Develop individual Occupational Graduate Outcomes Report Summaries and a plan to combine the summaries with program review data sheets (year one of a two-year project).

40. Identify improvements to the process of identifying, submitting, and managing grants to address institutional priorities.

41. Sustain and enhance the college’s Institutional Effectiveness initiative.

42. Continue implementation of AQIP reaccreditation process, including submission of Systems Portfolio and ongoing monitoring of Action Projects.

43. Guide implementation of the collegewide effort to research, develop, manage, and market a brand identity for the college.

44. Communicate the college’s progress on the AQIP initiatives throughout the year.

45. Develop a departmental plan that reflects current and future activities and includes written plans for each departmental activity.

46. Implement the new Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement 35.

47. Reduce the number of hours required to compile the college’s Comprehensive Financial Audit report.

48. Provide accurate and timely financial information to internal and external reporting agencies by automating college financial statement preparation.

49. Improve Illinois Community College Board reporting for Unit Cost and Unified Financial Reporting (UFRS).

50. Improve procedures to keep chart of accounts current.

51. Prepare “Object Code Guidelines” report to be used by Finance, Human Resources, and Payroll for quick reference in object code use.

52. Assist in the planning and implementation of a redesigned timesheet/contractual process.

53. Continue with the 403b/457b Defined Contribution Due Diligence Program.

54. Research and prepare change recommendations for petty cash processing; create office procedures and policies documentation.

55. Continue to improve NSF check processing, including documenting the procedures and providing periodic statistics.

56. Improve security account access on the college’s financial system.

57. Prepare current W-9s on file for documentation scanning/imaging.

58. Redesign Accounting Department Intranet site to improve customer service, and make it a more effective communications tool.

59. Develop a marketing plan to improve communication between Accounting and other college divisions.

60. Assist in developing a Finance Division procedures and policies manual to improve internal customer service.

61. Maintain accountability over the college’s assets.

62. Design, implement, and maintain control-related policies and procedures.

63. Improve the Fixed Asset portion of the Finance intranet site to make it more user-friendly.

64. Assess grant customer needs for intranet components related to grant finance processes and procedures.

65. Develop grants section of annual audit report, and prepare single audit.

66. Reduce the number of invoices processed on Payment Authorization forms.

67. Create a procedure for image documentation/scanning of A/P invoices.