Academic Affairs

Academic Affairs
Annual Report

2006-07

Mark E. Workman, Provost and VPAA

Introduction:

The commitment of Academic Affairs to purposeful development was reaffirmed two years ago through its adoption of an integrated strategic planning and budgeting process that both directs and is informed by the strategic planning activities of all the units within Academic Affairs. We believe that the accomplishments of the past year attest to the fact that our strategic planning process has been effective in enabling us to advance the quality of academic programs at UNF.

The division of Academic Affairs has set forth five primary areas of focus, each complex and all interrelated. These foci emerge from and expand upon the Academic Affairs central mission:

The mission of Academic Affairs is to facilitate the critical pursuit of knowledge in an environment of civility and tolerance by providing excellent educational opportunities for all UNF students through a focused use of resources in scholarly programs that have relevance to the broad range of constituencies served by the university and that are subject to rigorous and ongoing scrutiny and improvement.

Goal 1: Advance the recruitment of academically ready and culturally diverse students and set occasions for their success.

Action: Utilize Transformational Learning Opportunities (TLOs) merit and need-based scholarship funds to recruit targeted students to UNF. There were 10 International TLO grants and 8 in-US TLO grants awarded in 2005-06 and 20 International and 8 in-US grants awarded in 2006-07. To review the 2005-06 grant awards and read the narratives, go to: http://www.unf.edu/acadaffairs/tlo/awards05.html and to review the 2006-07 grant awards and narratives, go to: http://www.unf.edu/acadaffairs/tlo/awards06.html.

Providing $500,000 of new recurring funding for merit scholarships, which include TLO experiences. The TLO Program was administered through the individual colleges in 2006-2007. However, $100,000 in funding has been granted to Enrollment Services for 2007-2008 which will be used to enhance the fall 2007 profile and improve diversity. Our records indicated that there were 195 students awarded scholarships from the TLO program in 2006-2007 including 47 minority students. The number also includes 22 new matriculated students for 200608 with an average SAT of 1088, average ACT of 20.18 and average GPA of 3.21. There were also 2 honor students awarded these funds.

In addition to TLO scholarship funds, Enrollment Services unit distributed the allocation of merit and need-based scholarships through the following programs:

The Presidential program funded 162 new FTIC students which included 16 minority students and 94 students who enrolled in the Honors Program. The average SAT score for the 2006 Fall term recipients was 1302 with an average GPA of 4.22 compared to the 2005 Fall term recipients of 1290 average SAT and 4.20 average GPA. The average ACT for 2006 Fall term was 28.63 compared to 2005 average ACT of 28.72. Without this program, our Fall 2006 Profile would be 3.52 GPA, 1153 SAT, and 21.66 ACT. These funds are being utilized to increase our FTIC profile but at the same time not negatively affecting our diversity.

SWOOP scholarships provided $167,000 recurring funding for 60 recipients in Fall 2006. This is a new program that began in Fall 2006. Several variables impacted the diversity and profile of the 2006 FTIC class. An increase in admissions standards caused many students to be pushed from fall to summer admits and the significant increase in the SAT score impacted our diversity. Although fall minority FTIC matriculates decreased by .46 percent, the summer/fall minority FTIC matriculates increased. This was a base increase from 573 minority students in 2005 to 602 minority students in 2006. If this program did not exist, our minority numbers would have been 18 percent.

Need-based scholarships provided $154,000 of new funding added to the reoccurring allocation each year to support financial aid need-based grants. These grants were used to award 329 FTIC students for the 2006-2007 year compared to 190 in 2005-2006. 115 minority students received the funds in 2006-2007 compared to 83 in 2005-2006.

Graduate Assistantships provided $105,500 of new funding for 7 new stipends for Graduate Teaching Assistants in the College of Arts and Sciences. The following is a breakdown by department:

Dept	GTAs	Stipend Per GTA	Dept Total
Philosophy	1 FT	$12,500	$12,500
Math	2 FT	$12,500	$25,000
History	2 FT	$12,500	$25,000
Biology	2 FT	$12,500	$25,000
Psychology	3 PT	$ 6,000	$18,000

First Generation Matching Gift Program for need-based scholarships raised $378,605, assisting 341 students including 176 FTICs, 139 first-time transfers to UNF, and 26 continuing students. 117 of the recipients were from our minority population and 11 students participated in the Honors Program. The average award was $2200. Without this program, our diversity would have declined to 15.88 percent.

Action: Allocate additional resources for TLOs based on an effective proposal review and post-project evaluation process. Academic Affairs/Undergraduate Studies has hired a Coordinator for Undergraduate Initiatives to assist with the monitoring and oversight of TLO projects. A systematic analysis of application, proposal review, and project implementation procedures has been conducted and there is now a TLO Operations Handbook for applicants and awardees. Two separate review committees have been created for international travel and non-international travel TLOs. Review committees will employ rubric evaluation systems to rationalize the review process and communicate more clearly the basis for recommendations. All recipients of TLO awards are required to submit a report using formal written guidelines. A web-survey has been created to receive indirect assessment data of TLO effectiveness from all students participating in TLO projects.

Goal 2: Advance the scope and quality of academic programs in a manner consistent with the mission and resources of the university.

Action: Increase the breadth and depth of our undergraduate, graduate and doctoral offerings by adding new degree programs identified through the strategic planning process (actual program to be determined).

Undergraduate Programs:

BHA: Bachelors in Health Administration was approved by the UNF faculty governance process and the Board of Trustees. The Board of Governors staff have been notified and the program will be added to the SUS Degree Program Inventory.

BS: Bachelor of Science in Sign Language Interpreting was approved by the faculty governance process and the Board of Trustees. The degree proposal was initially pulled from the Board of Trustees consent agenda because it did not clearly articulate it was an AS to BS capstone degree program. Upon further review, the proposed admission requirements and degree hours required were modified and the program approved by the Board of Trustees.

Graduate Programs:

DNP/DPT: In March 2007, the Board of Governors approved the creation of the UNF Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and the UNF Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The DNP is the terminal practice degree for nursing, and the DPT will soon be the entry level degree for professional physical therapists. These degree programs were implemented in the fall of 2007. The addition of the DNP and the DPT brings UNF's doctoral degrees to a total of three. These two degrees, like the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, speak directly to the clear and immediate needs of the greater Jacksonville region; they not only provide opportunities for employment development, they address both the rising healthcare needs of the area and the level of quality of healthcare that can be offered.

MS: In May 2007, the UNF Board of Trustees approved the creation of the Masters of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE), Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE), and Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) degrees. These degrees are slated for implementation in the spring of 2008. The three engineering degrees address the needs of the region in two fundamental ways. First, they provide opportunities for baccalaureate educated engineers to enhance their skills and secure advanced employment -- as well as helping to attract to the region industry that requires masters-educated engineers. Second, they address the needs of designing and building a strong infrastructure for a large metropolitan area that is growing rapidly.

Action: Recruit associate provost for institutional effectiveness. Academic Affairs allocated funding for a new administrative position: associate provost for institutional effectiveness. This position reports directly to the Provost and will provide support for the University of North Florida's Institutional Effectiveness efforts:

the refinement of strategic plans, the evaluation and revision of program review processes, and the preparation of accreditation self-studies. The Associate/Assistant Provost will coordinate the accreditation team efforts; oversee the Office of Institutional Research. Specific responsibilities include:

…Provide leadership for accreditation efforts, including oversight of the Institutional Effectiveness Team and Quality Enhancement Planning.

…Provide support for a systematic campus wide participation in assessment planning, Implementation, and reporting of findings.

…Provide assistance to campus units and divisions in analyzing and reporting data related to their operations and future planning Provide support for campus wide strategic planning efforts.

The University successfully hired Dr. Douglas Eder from Arizona State University in this position. Dr. Eder began at UNF July 1, 2007.

Action: Initiate the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan. SACS, as part of an institution's accreditation process, requires the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan. The QEP (1) includes a broad-based institutional process identifying key issues emerging from institutional assessment, (2) focuses on learning outcomes and/or the environment supporting student learning and accomplishing the mission of the institution, (3) demonstrates institutional capability for the initiation, implementation, and completion of the QEP, (4) includes broad-based involvement of institutional constituencies in the development and proposed implementation of the QEP, and (5) identifies goals and a plan to assess their achievement. A Quality Enhancement Planning Team was convened in December 2006. The same meeting was held two times a week to enable the large number of participants to be included in discussions each week. A survey was constructed and conducted during the spring semester. The focus was to ask the question "If UNF could do just one thing to improve student learning and/or the learning environment, what should UNF do?" The survey was solicited to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. There were 967 responses to the survey.

Action: Identify one additional flagship program (pending funding). During the 2006-07 academic year, the Coastal Biology Program was approved as the fourth UNF Flagship Program. This program joins three previously named flagship candidates: Transportation and Logistics, International Business, and Community Based Nursing (see: http://www.unf.edu/acadaffairs/flagship.html). Over the next four years a total of $700,000 will be made available to the Program to support Flagship status.

Action: Advance assessment of learning outcomes in general education, academic majors, and all graduate programs. The assessment of the General Education program has been evolving from a determination of the degree to which GE student learning outcomes are sufficiently addressed across the GE curriculum to the identification of assignments that develop the GE learning outcomes to, most recently, the application of a model (adapted from the College of William and Mary) of the direct embedded assessment of student work in general education courses. Assessment of graduate programs at UNF is focused on the construction and implementation of Graduate Learning Outcome Statements (GLOs). By the end of Fall 2006, mission statements, learning outcomes, and assessment strategies were collected from all 25 degree programs. By the end of the summer of 2007, assessment data will be available to Academic Affairs. Improvement plans will be implemented during 2007-08, with new assessment data collected over 07-08 that will in part speak to the impact of the implemented improvements.

…assessment of learning outcomes - General Education:

In Spring 2007 the General Education Assessment Task Force [GEATF] conducted the first program-wide assessment of the Knowledge Categories of the General Education curriculum. Direct measures of student learning were achieved through the use of an electronic portfolio method. Data from the entire spring General Education curriculum in Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Science–80 courses–was compiled. The project achieved 100% faculty compliance, including all 28 adjuncts. The GEATF also developed an indirect measure for assessing student learning through the use of a survey instrument asking to students to indicate the degree to which their courses experiences facilitated development of the General Education student learning outcomes. These data will be used to recommend and implement improvements in the General Education program.

…assessment of learning outcomes - Undergraduate Programs

Refined the process of program review; formalized the steps for program review and established a program review committee including the Graduate Dean, AVP for Undergraduate Studies, the Provost, and the SACS liaison.

Academic Learning Compacts: further refinements were made to the development of departmental ALCs including curriculum maps for most undergraduate programs, an additional direct and indirect measure employed in spring 2007 to assess the majors' progress in attaining at least one learning out come in each area (Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills; Critical Thinking; and Communication Skills); departments will also report through their annual reports, a summary of their assessment outcomes and identification of an improvement initiative.

…assessment of learning outcomes - Graduate learning outcomes:

Assessment of graduate programs at UNF is focused on the construction and implementation of Graduate Learning Outcome Statements (GLOs). By the end of Fall 2006, mission statements, learning outcomes, and assessment strategies were collected from all 25 degree programs. By the end of the summer of 2007, assessment data will be available to Academic Affairs. Improvement plans will be implemented during 2007-08, with new assessment data collected over 07-08 that will in part speak to the impact of the implemented improvements.

Action: Implement improvements in the budget process (including summer funding) to maximize the effective utilization of AA resources. During the 2006-07 academic year, the Provost instituted a more collaborative and transparent budget review process. More specifically, each of the Deans were invited to sit as the Academic Affairs Budget Council to vet the requests submitted by all AA units for the purpose of developing the final AA budget request for the President's consideration. Regular meetings were held over a four month period to provide each Dean an opportunity to present his/her budget request to the Council and then to allow sufficient time for the Budget Council to deliberate as to the funding priorities for the Division. As a result of this collaborative process, each Dean was able to better update his/her faculty regarding the items that were included on the AA budget request and why those items were a priority. The power point slides below provide additional information as to the goals of the AA Strategic Budgeting Process as well as the Annual Budget Cycle timeline.

Academic Affairs also instituted a different approach to summer school funding based upon recommendations offered by the Associate Deans. Rather than providing funding based upon the achievement of FTE targets during the previous summer term (or failure to achieve FTE targets), each College was authorized to place on the summer schedule the courses that its leadership and faculty considered necessary to meet programmatic and student demands and needs. Academic Affairs then redirected internal funds to make up the difference between the funding previously available for summer school and that required to support the requests submitted by the Colleges using the new approach.

Goal 3: Advance the strengths and scholarly engagement of the faculty.

Action: Develop a recruitment and retention protocol for increasing diversity among faculty. In 2006-07, the Provost established a Diversity Task Force, the mission of which is the enhancement of ethnic and racial diversity in the population of UNF faculty. Faculty from many disciplines comprise the membership of the DTF. In the spring of 2007 the DTF's conversations focused on (1) understanding UNF's particular needs in terms of diversifying its faculty hires, (2) developing ideas for enhancing UNF's academic infrastructure for the purpose of attracting and hiring faculty who will add to the diversity of our profile, and (3) starting to plan how in 2007-08 the Task Force will take actions aimed directly at enhancing the diversity of UNF's faculty. The first conversation of 2007 will focus on setting an agenda of concrete goals and practical plans to accomplish those goals.

In addition to the strategic action of establising a task force focused on diversifying our faculty, Academic Affairs developed and supported the following initiatives:

…summer development grant opportunities:

stipends increased from $5,000 to $7,500 matching the average funding for a summer course. Summer research grant were awarded to 22 faculty - an increase of 2 from summer 2006 and an increase of 7 from summer 2005.

…faculty research leaves program:

Tenure Earning Faculty: Each tenure-earning faculty member shall be provided a three-credit hour course release during his/her first year of employment to allow him/her additional time to establish his/her scholarship program. Further, each tenure-earning faculty member will be provided another three credit hour course release during his/her fourth year of tenure-earning service to further the faculty member's scholarship, research, and/or creative activity.

Tenured Faculty: Scholarship releases are provided to tenured faculty members to further the faculty members' scholarship, research, and/or creative activity. These releases are intended to recognize both past accomplishment and future promise. Each department chair is authorized to make the assignment of the scholarship releases in accordance with the policy guidelines.

Goal 4: Advance community outreach and partnerships.

Action: Establish a center for community-based learning to advance and oversee initiatives designed to increase civic awareness and engagement of students. A plan for developing a Center for Community-Based Learning, and for aligning UNF's community involvement mission with the academic curriculum, has been fully developed. The budget request for a Director of the Center for Community-Based Learning was submitted and approved. That position will be defined and advertised in Fall 2007.

The Undergraduate Studies division will also begin a compilation of all data on current community-based learning activities at UNF. The newly-hired Coordinator for Undergraduate Initiatives will assist with this project. UNF also joined the American Democracy (ADP) project that has as one of its goals greater civic awareness and involvement of students. In 2006-2007 the ADP initiative included a New York Times Readership Program, a Constitution Day debate on executive power, and a public lecture and classroom visit by New York Times foreign affairs correspondent Ethan Bronner. In the coming year the ADP will be further institutionalized through the establishment of a steering committee that will develop campus programming, a full week of activities for Constitution Week, and the continuation of the NYT readership program.

AA Unit Summary Reports

Brooks College of Health Annual Report, 2006-2007

Significant Activities in the College during 2006-2007

Student Recruitment:Minority Enrollment: BCH minority enrollment continues above the University percentage-currently the UNF enrollment is 21% minority while the BCH minority enrollment is at 25%. Full-time equivalents (FTEs) increased from 826 to 916. An increase of approximately 10%.

Programs: Two doctoral programs were added, a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). Both of these programs were approved through the Florida Board of Governors and SACS. These programs are important to quality health care in the Jacksonville area. Student enrollment is robust and quality coursework was developed. A Bachelor in Health Administration was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Accreditation: The public health self study was written and submitted to the Council on Education for Public Health. An accreditation visit is anticipated during spring of 2008.

The Community Nursing Flagship program continues to excel. A National Institute of Health grant was received by Dr. Barbara Kruger. Multiple faculty presentations at national and international conferences were given. The Student Nurses Association won a national award for their community based curriculum. Flagship outcomes were met.

Passing rates: Programs met goal of surpassing national and/or state average on licensure/certification exams. Nurse Practitioner passing rates 100%, RN 96%, Athletic Trainers' 52%, 91% and 76% respectively, Physical Therapy 98%, Nutrition 78%.

Assessment: The first year of Assessment Cycles were completed with recommendations identified to improve learning outcomes. These recommendations will be implemented during 2007-2008.

Faculty

Recruitment: Hired 13 faculty members (some part-time). Three individuals are Asian in ethnicity. Two newly hired staff are African American and one is Hispanic.

Activity & Scholarship: Two Dean's Professorships were awarded and a Summer Research Grant.

Faculty journal articles increased from 0.7 to 1.2 per faculty member. Faculty presentations increased from 3.3 to 3.7 per faculty member.

Community Partnership: Initiated the Center for Global Health and Medical Diplomacy under the direction of Dr. Yank Coble. A successful Caring Community Conference was held in September of 2007. Outcomes include the prioritization of health related needs for the community that will be addressed via a Health Care and Bioscience Council.

Relationships with over 350 community facilities continue as excellent resources for students and faculty.

Raised over $5.5 million dollars in private funding to support scholarships, professorships, and programs in the College.

College of Arts & Sciences Annual Report, 2006-2007

Significant Activities in the College during 2006-2007

Recruiting new faculty and the College's future leaders: The College engaged in over 60 faculty searches during 2006-07, including external searches for a Dean, a Director of the Coastal Biology Flagship Program, and two department chairs. Roughly half of the searches were for tenure-track positions. In general, this was a very successful hiring year. Incoming Dean Barbara Hetrick comes to UNF from the University of Northern Iowa, where she was Chair of the Biology Department. The new Coastal Biology Program will be in the capable hands of Dr. Courtney Hackney, a nationally-known leader in the field with experience at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington that will be directly applicable to his position at UNF. Dr. David Goff, who has experience chairing Communication departments in Georgia and Mississippi, will take leadership of one of the largest departments in the College. Faculty hiring produced a diverse and intellectually exciting crop of teacher-scholars.

Establishing an assessment cycle: This year the College completed its first full cycle of assessment activities under the leadership of Associate Dean Marnie Jones. Departments have participated in assessment at all three curricular levels. The work of the General Education Assessment Task Force, discussed below as part of Goal 1, was probably the most robust of the efforts. Using a model adapted from one used for William and Mary's successful efforts, the GEATF read and analyzed portfolios of information about and student work from all general education courses, and has arrived at a number of thoughtful initiatives for 2007-08. Undergraduate and graduate major programs have completed their first full cycle of assessment, from definition of outcomes through assessment and recommendations for improvement. Although this first cycle has produced at least as many suggestions for improving the assessment system as for curricular interventions, the simple fact of establishing a cycle is an important step toward creating a culture which focuses on learning. See section II and departmental annual reports for fuller discussion.

Coastal Biology Flagship Program: In October 2006 Coastal Biology UNF made the public announcement of Coastal Biology as the newest flagship program. A successful search resulted in hiring Dr. Courtney Hackney to head the new program. Although he will not formally arrive at UNF until January 2008, he has already begun active communication with the faculty and with community and national contacts about the program. Under the able interim leadership of Dr. Dan Moon, the Coastal Biology program has sponsored campus speakers, developed a seminar series which will begin in fall 2007, and helped students present research in Coastal Biology at a number of professional meetings.

Successful Program Reviews: The college conducted five program reviews during 2006-07: in Arts & Design, Biology, Psychology, Public Administration, and the Writing Program. The Public Administration review also included reaffirmation by NASPAA, the accrediting agency for this graduate program; although the final report has not yet arrived, the exit interview indicates that reaccreditation will be recommended. All program reviews were generally favorable, but with significant recommendations for the programs. Chairs and program leaders have commented on the recommendations in their annual reports. As might be expected, two common themes are curriculum and the lack of appropriate space.

Scholarly and Creative productivity: College faculty published ten books, 106 journal articles, 21 book chapters, 34 articles in conference proceedings, 9 encyclopedia articles, and 17 book reviews. They made 237 refereed or invited presentations at scholarly conferences. They were involved in 200 juried creative works or performances. ORSP reports grants totaling a little over $2 million.

Development Goals exceeded: The College's development efforts resulted in gifts and pledges amounting to a little over $1.3 million, which was the annual target. Highlights include the establishment of the first endowment for World Languages, for a total of $150,000 to support Spanish scholarships and study abroad, and completion of the River Branch Endowment gifts to support the UNF Environmental Center with a total endowment of $525,000. Also significant was a $74,000 donation of musical instruments from Buffet Crampon, one of the premier makers of instruments.

Strategic Hiring Plans: For the first time, all departments have developed strategic hiring plans as part of the annual strategic planning and update process. The challenge will be to continue the process, particularly in a time of budget restrictions.

College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction Annual Report, 2006-2007

Significant Activities in the College during 2006-2007

New Degree Programs:

Graduate MS degrees in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering were approved by the UNF Board of Trustees and will commence in January 2008

Undergraduate (track) New Information Technology BS degree track added by School of Computing

Development: Taylor Engineering, Inc. established the Taylor Engineering Research Institute through a donation of $1 million, which will generate a $500,000 state match. The mission of the Institute is “To promote and support collaborative research between academia, private industry and government in the fields of coastal and water resources science and engineering.”

Students and Faculty: The College held its second and third Employer Showcases (in September and February) to help connect its students with potential employers. Each Showcase attracted about 30 companies.

The College held its Fifth Annual Symposium in April 2006. College students and faculty present their research projects and results at this signature event.

College faculty secured research contracts exceeding $1.6 million

College students participated in numerous regional and national competitions

The Graduate School Annual Report, 2006-2007

Significant Activities in the Division during 2006-2007

Programs: In March 2007, the Board of Governors approved the creation of the UNF Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and the UNF Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The DNP is the terminal practice degree for nursing, and the DPT will soon be the entry level degree for professional physical therapists. These degree programs were implemented in the fall of 2007. The addition of the DNP and the DPT brings UNF’s doctoral degrees to a total of three. These two degrees, like the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, speak directly to the clear and immediate needs of the greater Jacksonville region; they not only provide opportunities for employment development, they address both the rising healthcare needs of the area and the level of quality of healthcare that can be offered.

In May 2007, the UNF Board of Trustees approved the creation of the Masters of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE), Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE), and Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) degrees. These degrees are slated for implementation in the spring of 2008. The three engineering degrees address the needs of the region in two fundamental ways. First, they provide opportunities for baccalaureate educated engineers to enhance their skills and secure advanced employment -- as well as helping to attract to the region industry that requires masters-educated engineers. Second, they address the needs of designing and building a strong infrastructure for a large metropolitan area that is growing rapidly.

Marketing: To enhance UNF's ability to attract the best graduate students we can, the Graduate School in 2006-07 (1) developed an extensive marketing and publicity campaign, (2) worked to streamline admissions procedures for those applying for UNF's graduate and professional programs, (3) retooled our web site and created an online graduate student orientation, (4) comprehensively edited the Graduate Catalog for consistency and transparency, and (5) developed new means to raise the standard of communication between the Graduate School and Graduate Program Directors around the university.

Assessment: Assessment of graduate programs at UNF is focused on the construction and implementation of Graduate Learning Outcome Statements (GLOs). By the end of Fall 2006, mission statements, learning outcomes, and assessment strategies were collected from all 25 degree programs. By the end of the summer of 2007, assessment data will be available to Academic Affairs. Improvement plans will be implemented during 2007-08, with new assessment data collected over 07-08 that will in part speak to the impact of the implemented improvements.

Orientation: The Graduate School implemented a series of orientation events for entering graduate students and that subset of graduate students taking up duties as Graduate Assistants, Graduate Teaching Assistants, and Graduate Research Assistants.

Student Research: The Graduate School implemented in 2006-07 the “Graduate Scholars Program” and offered ten awards of $500 to graduate students pursuing independent scholarly projects.

Division of Continuing Education Annual Report, 2006-2007

Significant Activities in the Division during 2006-2007

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: In the fall of 2006, the Division of Continuing Education (CE) debuted its Lifelong Learning Institute. The Lifelong Learning Institute offers a variety of programs in educational and recreational areas. The program is open to adult learners aged 50 and over. Based on the early success of the Institute, CE applied for and received a gift from the Bernard Osher Foundation of $100,000 renewable for three years. Since its inception, the popularity of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute has been overwhelming with over 400 members now attending classes. The program continues to grow and evolve and provides a unique opportunity for those who have not had any affiliation with UNF in the past to visit our campus and participate in a variety of learning experiences.

Florida Ready to Work Program: In a short amount of time CE has made a substantial impact on the State of Florida with Florida Ready to Work.

CE has joined with the State of Florida Department of Education (DOE), the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI), Worldwide Interactive Network (WIN), and American College Testing (ACT), to take part in the state's new career readiness certificate program, Florida Ready to Work . It helps business and industry find employees with the basic skill sets necessary companies say they need. It also provides potential job seekers and incumbent workers with a training system that helps build their skill levels to get that new position or qualify for a promotion.

Florida Ready to Work is sponsored and funded by the State of Florida . The program will be used by high schools, community colleges, and workforce boards. It provides jobseekers with a credential ( Florida Ready to Work Credential). This credential certifies that the jobseeker has the ability and skill to perform specific tasks on the job that is critical for success of companies. Some of these skills are observation, reading for information, locating information, listening and work ethic.

Customized Training Solutions: CE had a significant increase in customized training programs delivered to clients in 2006-2007. With an increased focus on providing solutions tailored to individual organizations' needs, CE realized a 106% increase in revenue from customized training operations over the previous year. Some clients of note were the City of Jacksonville, United States Marine Corps, RingPower, and JEA.

Thomas G. Carpenter Library, Annual Report, 2006-2007

Significant Activities in the Library during 2006-2007

New Building: The campus celebrated the renovated and expanded library building with a celebration in October 2006 during Founders’ Week. Dr. Thomas G. Carpenter, founding UNF president for whom the Library is named, was present for the event. The new facility is a grand presence on campus, provides much-needed space for library collections and services, and is heavily used by students.

Development: The Library hired its first full-time Director of Development in January 2007, part of an effort to launch a new external fund-raising program. An endowment for library resources, named in honor of Director Emeritus Andrew Farkas, was created in the spring and a campaign was begun to solicit gifts for this fund. Beginning efforts to establish a Dean’s Leadership Council were successful, resulting in an initial steering committee meeting in June to create bylaws and help solicit charter members.

Programs and Services: The Library’s “READ” poster program has expanded and is extremely popular. Selected UNF faculty authors and other campus personalities are pictured holding books they have authored or which are meaningful to them. Many framed posters grace the walls of the library building.

The Library worked with faculty in the Coastal Biology Flagship program to provide new resources and also collaborated with Brooks College of Health to generate new support for library resources for the new DNP and DPT programs.

New Partnerships: Co-sponsorship with Student Government helped provide 24-hour library access during final exam periods. The Library partnered with the Athletics Department to provide special study arrangements for student athletes, a program which piloted in summer 2007. The Library also partnered with the Osher Lifelong Learning Program of Continuing Education to plan for classes, special tours, and library privileges to begin in fall 2007.

Staffing: The Library recruited for eight new employees, including three new positions and five positions vacant due to retirements.

User Survey: The Library conducted an online survey in April 2007 to assess user satisfaction and potential interest in new services. Results included high levels of satisfaction with the new facility and expressions of interest in an instant message reference service, a laptop check-out program, and a library link in MyWings.

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Annual Report, 2006-2007

Significant Activities in the Office during 2006-2007

Administration

Activities and accomplishment in the administration of ORSP : The UNF research management unit was re-branded with a new name and the introduction of new services:- from the Division of Research and Sponsored Training to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP). The administration of services within ORSP was restructured into five major responsibility areas – Research Development Services, Grants Accounting and Financial Management Services, Research Integrity Services, Departmental Research Services and Intellectual Property/Technology Transfer Services.

The Director of ORSP led the successful staff recruitment for 7 permanent positions and 1 full-time OPS position. The Director also led the establishment of a new unit, Departmental Research Services, within ORSP to provide budget management and administrative support for investigators who do not have such support within their departments. We also initiated processes to limit ORSP oversight of projects that are not bona fide sponsored projects.

Research Management Policies: Major policy development and reviews undertaken during the year, at various stages of completion, included:

Policy on Intellectual Property – Approved and adopted.

Policy on Facilities and Administrative Costs – Under review.

Policy on the Use of Recovered Facilities and Administrative Costs – Under review.

Placement of Funds – Draft position paper.

Human Research Protection Program: Initiated a comprehensive review of the policy and the procedures.

Guidelines for the Establishing, Operating, Evaluating/Reviewing, and Disbanding University Research Centers & Institutes - Review of the section on Evaluation for consistency with UNF Program Review principles.

Research Development Services and Departmental Research Services

Faculty Research Development : A successful faculty research development visit was organized to enable interested faculty meet with program officers at federal funding agencies in the Washington , DC area. Three members of the faculty met with program officers at the National Science Foundation and at the National Institutes of Health. A special workshop was organized to assist faculty develop proposals for the NSF CAREER program. The Assistant Director for Research Development Services developed a format for RFP packets that significantly reduced PI's efforts at identifying technical requirements on major RFPs.

We provided direct research development support, in the form of travel and student support to 14 members of the faculty. With support from Academic Affairs, a tuition waiver program was established in support of students involved in sponsored programs. This initiative has not only supported faculty research, but has offered students hands-on experiences in funded research. We funded staff and faculty participation in conferences and workshops organized by the Council for Undergraduate Research. ORSP organized a well-attended Principal Investigator Appreciation reception, in recognition of all members of the faculty and staff who received awards in the prior years. Faculty with up to 15 years, 10 years or 5 years of consecutive funding were given special recognition.

Institutional Research Development : Relative to the awards in 2005-2006, there was a 15% increase in the dollar amount of direct federal awards received at UNF in 2006-2007. This was coupled with a reduction in the flow-through federal awards. Our increased success in direct federal awards is indicative of a more competitive positioning of the UNF research enterprise with respect to federal funding programs.

ORSP led and provided support for the successful development, review, and submission of 5 congressionally-directed research requests (plus-ups), for a total amount of $10.6M in support of research at UNF. This required close coordination with the faculty, the VP for Government Relations and the SUS Lobbyist in Washington , DC . Two of these requests have been funded for a total of $3.5M as part of the 2007 Defense Appropriation process.

ORSP collaborated with some colleges and departments in the initiation of research development efforts. These included:

Collaboration with the Dean of CCEC to develop a research funding agenda for the College and we jointly funded a consultant to achieve this objective. As part of this initiative, we developed contacts and initiated collaborative projects with UF-Shands, and with DUOS technologies.
Collaboration with the Chair of Sociology & Anthropology to establish the UNF Aging Research Consortium . Funded a speaker for the Consortium.
Collaboration with the Dean of the Brooks College of Health on the development of a research consortium with Nemours and Mayo.

ORSP Research Development staff provided 66 individual orientation presentations on sponsored program services to new and continuing members of the faculty in 2006 – 2007. In addition, we offered four Brown Bag research development sessions for principal investigators: The Admin Side of Writing Winning Props and How ORSP Can Help; I'm Ready Finding Funding Opportunities and Submitting Proposals; Better Your Chances of Submitting Winning Proposals - A Panel Discussion ; and Partnering with Industry on Sponsored Project Endeavors.

Grant Accounting and Financial Management Services

ORSP significantly increased the timeliness of invoicing and monitoring of collections by reviewing accounts receivable balances on a weekly basis. We recovered 65% of the outstanding accounts receivable greater than 365 days. The Assistant Director for Grant Accounting and Financial Management Services created a grants management manual to assist PIs in understanding current procedures, practices and Banner processes for grants accounting. We initiated orientation meetings with PIs to review the grants management process for every award received. We also established grants close-out meetings with PIs to review deadlines and expenditures on each award prior to the award end-date. We successfully closed 123 awards, including a backlog of closeouts from previous years. We collaborated with the ITS Department to create a Self-Service F&A query for departments to find the source and benefiting indexes of their recovered F&A costs.

We developed and implemented a Banner process for systematically posting F&A costs and distributing revenue from F&A recovery on a bi-weekly basis and worked with the ITS department to develop a script to post budget at the time revenue is posted for each index. Other processes developed and implemented within the reporting period include: a mechanism for directly charging faculty salaries to grants (for reassignments) during academic year, procedures for reviewing and documenting cost transfer requests and budget amendment requests, and a database for tracking invoicing and related reporting requirements.

Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer Services

ORSP processed two invention disclosures, one completed patent application, and one patent application resubmission.

In collaboration with CCEC Associate Dean, Dr. Gerald Merckel, we made presentations featuring 3 UNF patented and patent-pending technologies at the 2007 Florida Technology Transfer Conference organized by the Florida Research Consortium in Miami , FL.

Research Integrity Services

ORSP created and implemented databases for the management of Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes. We implemented a transition from an annual review process to a continuing review process for IRB activities, and instituted an improved system of tracking protocols for continuing IRB reviews. In addition, the Assistant Director for Research Integrity Services created a principal investigator handbook, IRB Made Easy , to provide principal investigators with a brief practical guide to IRB processes.

Enrollment Services Annual Report, 2006-2007

Significant Activities in the Division during 2006-2007

Strategic and focused community outreach: Enrollment Services continues to strive to recruit and enroll a diverse and talented student body each semester. To that end, notable activities have recently taken place.

The Jacksonville Commitment Program was founded in the summer 2007 and is, therefore, the newest area within Enrollment Services. Still in its infancy, the JCP has made significant strides in a very short time.

The Jacksonville Commitment Program Steering Committee articulated a shared goal of creating and sustaining a “college-going” culture for the city of Jacksonville. While in the process of securing support from various entities in the community including the City of Jacksonville , Duval County Public Schools , Florida Community College at Jacksonville , Edward Waters College , and Jacksonville University , a Director has been hired.
The Steering Committee is currently defining a two-phase approach to seeing the initial goal realized over the course of the next two years.

The Office of Admissions & Events is primarily responsible for recruiting new students to the University, and in that capacity, the office continues to excel in attracting a talented and diverse student body to the University.

Compared to the previous year, the fall 2007 FTIC academic profile increased with regard to both GPA and SAT averages. The most academically talented freshman class in the history of UNF, the FTIC GPA increased from 3.58 to 3.61 while the SAT average increased from 1166.08 to 1177.20.

Since September 1 st , the recruitment staff of Admissions has covered more than 26,000 miles, participated in more than 90 college fairs, and made more than 271 high school visits.

Continuous improvements to matriculated student services: While all facets of Enrollment Services are geared to serving students at UNF, two units are directly focused on serving matriculated students, the Academic Center for Excellence and the One Stop Student Services Center.

For many years, the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) has been at the forefront of academic advising efforts at the University. Staff members in ACE continue to be forward-thinking and dedicated to providing the academic support needed by lower-level students.

ACE has transitioned to the electronic degree evaluation in addition to developing the Advising Syllabus and Advising Guide. Advisors use these tools in concert to ensure the delivery of accurate and timely information for students.
ACE developmental advisors increased the meeting frequency with beginning freshmen students identified as “at-risk” from monthly to weekly. Advisors work with students to develop successful study habits, time management tips and strategies for keeping up with the expected workload. Advisors also serve their students as a resource on campus that provides them with additional support while challenging and motivating them to achieve their personal and academic goals.

The first phase of the One Stop Student Services Center opened in January 2006, and as of summer 2007 the operation has entered a second phase.

The expansion of the lobby and the implementation of new technologies allowed a revised and improved business practice. This was complete in July 2007.
In August 2007 walk-in traffic began to be tracked. The data confirmed anecdotal evidence regarding the volume of students being served in the One Stop and also provided a means by which student issues can be tracked.
In October 2007 a new student traffic flow was instituted. This new model provides students with the opportunity to meet with an Enrollment Services Counselor in an office setting, which enhances the students' experiences and provides a more confidential setting in which sensitive topics can be discussed freely.

Effective and productive internal support and indirect student support: In addition to the visible support Enrollment Services offers students and the campus community, the departments of Enrollment Services Technology & Training and Enrollment Services Compliance provide critical support, training, and oversight to the direct service departments.

Enrollment Services Technology & Training was established to be a frontline technical resource for Enrollment Services departments. In this capacity, the unit continues to serve a critical function in the continuing SCT-Banner implementation and training.

Enrollment Services Technology and Training invested over 2,800 hours in testing and training for the migration from Banner 6.4 to Banner 7.3. The transition was seamless and transparent to the end user.
Staff members established, tested and successfully implemented the electronic transfer course articulation process.
Staff members established an Enrollment Services testing and training database which details over 400 step-by-step processes and contains comprehensive Banner systems upgrade plan.
Enrollment Services Technology and Training worked with the University ITS department to restore and enhance many of the online student services that were lost in the transition from NERCICS and Osprey Online to Banner.

Enrollment Services Processing is the “behind the scenes” office that provides accurate and timely processing of all financial aid, records and registration and admission paperwork for UNF students.

UNF continues to attract increasing numbers of high caliber academic students as indicated by the growing number of Bright Futures recipients on campus in 2006-07. The 5,816 UNF students who were awarded $12,698,208.93 in Bright Futures Scholarship dollars last year represent an increase of 525 students who received $1,399,721.88 more that the previous year's recipients.

Enrollment Services Compliance se rves the important role of ensuring that staff members are performing their duties within University, State, and Federal parameters. This oversight is critical, especially with regard to monitoring financial aid and athletic aid programs.

Staff members monitored and tracked 264 student athletes' financial aid totaling $2,131,670. This total encompassed athletic, institutional. Federal, private and state funding. The $2,131,670 included $1,225,453 of countable athletic aid.

Undergraduate Studies Annual Report, 2006-2007

Significant Activities in the Division during 2006-2007

Center for Instruction and Research Technology:

Lab Activity: CIRT had more than 3,321 interactions with 428 unique faculty members during the 2006-07 academic year, and provided 562 equipment check-outs.

Events: CIRT held 30 faculty events during the 2006-07 academic year, ranging from brown bag discussions to hands-on training. The department also offered an intensive, week-long seminar for faculty to redesign a course for the online environment. Applications were competitive and faculty received a laptop for completion of redesign.

Major Projects: The first of what is to be an annual survey was delivered in Spring 2006 in an effort to more systematically gather information about faculty’s use of technology, needs for support, and preferences for learning about new technologies.During 2006-2007, CIRT also increased efforts to partner with academic departments and ITS on campus to offer pilots of potentially promising technologies to faculty. One result was the adoption of a classroom response, or “clicker”, system by the campus. Adoption has been strong and faculty report positive impact on classroom engagement.

Scholarly and Creative productivity: Department staff gave 5 presentations at regional and national conferences.

Undergraduate Academic Enrichment Program:

Scholarships: Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Winner: Natalia Klosak Only 60 students in the nation received Fellowships valued at $5,000 each to support first-year graduate study at institutions of their choice.

Internships: Ben Hogarth – a sophomore political science major interned with Senator Edward Kennedy’s office through the Washington Center. (Placement made by Nancy Soderberg)

Mai Tran – a sophomore political science major interned with the Hilary Clinton presidential campaign through the Washington Center (Placement made by Nancy Soderberg).

Dane Boog – junior international studies major interned this summer with Human Rights First in New York City (Placement made by Nancy Soderberg).

Joey Clements – junior public relations major and international studies major interned this summer with the World Food Program in Rome, Italy (Placement made by Nancy Soderberg).

Amy Collotta – sophomore business management major interned with Bonacare and D-jobs International in Seoul, South Korea.

Stacy Enriquez – senior nursing student interned in South Africa, where she studied the health care system and how the country is treating its HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Undergraduate Research: Largest Osprey Journal in the history of the program was published. The 2007 issue has 438 pages. The initial issue in 2001 had 77 pages!

UNF Student Selected for the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Posters on the Hill. Student: Psychology major Vanessa Teixiera Advisor: Dominik Guess Title: "Why Do They Hate Us?" A Cultural-Psychological Theory of Suicide Terrorism.

UAEP Student Success Stories: Tatiana Melnick, whose paper appeared in the 2007 issue of the Osprey Journal and who was a member of the University Scholar’s Honor Society, matriculated at the University of Michigan’s law school in fall 2006.

Nnatalia Klosak whose paper appeared in the 2006 Osprey Journal and won a 2006 Honorable Mention Award in the Goldwater Scholarship competition and a 2007 Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship received a full scholarship to pursue her M.D and Ph.D degrees at the University of Florida. She will begin her studies in August of 2007.

Face to Face Program: (Face to Face in an on-going series of in-depth conversations with prominent members of the Northeast Florida community.)

Fall 2006: Peter Rummell, CEO of the St. Joe Company

Spring 2007: Jack Del Rio, Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars

"Other Club" Dinners:

Oct. 27, 2006: "Does Money Really Buy Happiness or is Money the Root of All Evil?" Which cliche´ is closer to the truth?

March 2, 2007: "Isolation or Globalization, Which Is the Best Course?" Which cliche´ is closer to the truth? .

Office of Academic Testing:

Administration of new test: The Office of Academic Testing (OAT) began administration of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) for the College of Health Nursing program in the fall of 2006. The TEAS is an entrance examination required of all applicants to the Prelicensure and Accelerated Prelicensure tracks of the BSN program. TEAS candidate registration is managed by the College of Nursing, while OAT managed test administration including the hiring and training of necessary staff. Test administration began in December 2006 and continued through March 2007, during which over 300 tests were administered. Tests are usually administered on Saturdays with an occasional Tuesday evening alternate administration. Since TEAS is internet based, the College of Health computer labs were utilized for test administrations. TEAS testing will be administered next year from November 2007 through March 2008.

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Academic Affairs Annual Report 2006-07

Mark E. Workman, Provost and VPAA

Academic Affairs
Annual Report

2006-07