Commitment to Excellence: January 2007 Update

Commitment to Excellence is part of the continuing quest of the College of Social Sciences to improve every aspect of its operation. A survey was sent to the faculty and others in Fall í04 to assess their views of the college. A total of 234 individuals responded to this survey providing a rich body of data on different parts of our college. These data were summarized and sent to the faculty at the end of the í04-ë05 academic year. All the data can be reviewed by clicking on Survey Response Summary in the left sidebar.

As a result of this survey, we began a process of implementing changes that you suggested. The following are examples of actions that have been completed or are in progress of completion. Your suggestions for improvements are boldfaced, followed by action taken by the college.

A. Research

1.   Recruit, reward and support faculty with strong research productivity

ï In ads for all new faculty hires, it is stated that one duty is to seek extramural grants

ï The Council of Chairs and Directors initiated a special college award for distinguished researchers

2.   Invest in pre-award and post-award support

ï Redefined some office positions to APTs for grant assistance

ï Hired staff person in 2004 ñ 2005 to search for grant possibilities and assist in writing grant applications

3.   Streamline Procedures

ï SSRI, in partnership with RCUH and the College of Business Administration, has an ongoing program to provide support for grant administration to CSS faculty.

4.   Invest in research ìseed moneyî

ï The College provides seed funds for projects that have a high probability of producing extramural funding (Research Support Program)

ï SSRI now offers three kinds of support for research (See College Focus II, Appendix V)

5.   CSS workload policy to allow time for research

ï College Focus II section C. Workload Policy states that the ìtime devoted to each component of scholarship [teaching, research, and application] may vary not only across faculty but also across oneís career.î ìOn the short cycle, it is possible that a faculty member emphasizes teaching one semester and research the next semester.î ìThe specifics for workload policy are delegated to the departments and programs within the college. Specification of duties is the responsibility of the chairs and directors . . .ì

6. Expand space for extramurally-funded research projects

ï Space remains one of the most significant problems to increase our capacity for research. There is an ongoing discussion with the Vice Chancellor for Research to find adequate research space. So far, he has found space for two major projects and has committed space for an upcoming project if it receives funding.

7.   Assess research productivity of CSS departments and reward departments demonstrating strong productivity

ï Council of Chairs and Directors initiated a special college award that allocates additional funding to units that demonstrate strong research productivity.

8.   Engage graduate and undergraduate students in research and scholarship

ï $75,000 has been made available by the Vice President of Research to support student research in the Arts and Sciences.

ï Each unit within CSS has developed a plan to enhance undergraduate research

B. Educational Effectiveness

1.   Undergraduate Education

ï An undergraduate committee reviewed survey suggestions and met with undergraduate chair of each department regarding educational needs of undergraduates.

ï Prepared a document on improving undergraduate education: ìA Culture of Excellence, A Culture of Learning . . .î

ï Proposed six recommendations

1. Master Teacher Program

2. Reducing Information Cost in Course Selection

ï Every course will have an online syllabus

3. An Improved Physical Environment

ï Requests for classroom fixes are being filled

4. A Board of College Activities

5. Academic Advising

ï CSS will have an adviser assigned specifically for social sciences majors.

6. Undergraduate Research

ï Each CSS unit has developed a plan to enhance undergraduate research.

2.   Reinvigorate the curriculum

ï Cross disciplinary social science certificates

ï Tutor program instituted for introductory courses in economics

ï Supported symposium on the Value/Values of a Liberal Arts Education

ï Chairs and directors are reviewing ways to improve our studentsí academic skills such as critical thinking

3.   Recruit and retain high quality students at the graduate and undergraduate levels

ï Offering more graduate assistantships

ï Part of plan for improving undergraduate excellence: Academic Advising

ï Reorganization of A & S advising services

4.   Expand support to graduate students

ï The number of graduate assistantships will increase over the next ten years. Four new graduate assistantships were added for AY 2006-07 and four more for AY 2007-08

ï Proposal submitted for financial support to ABD students of Hawaiian ancestry. Program is expected to go into effect this year

5.   Evaluate doctoral programs

ï Departments and programs developed plans to assess student learning outcomes

6.   Increase faculty involvement in advising and mentoring

ï Part of plans for improving undergraduate excellence: Academic Advising

ï Reorganization of A & S advising services

7.   Internships, service learning, and other applied opportunities

ï Arts and Sciences internships for undergraduate students to Washington, D.C.

ï Public Policy offered an internship program for graduate students

ï Service learning opportunities have been expanded

8.   Enhance quality of life of students

ï Added tables and chairs in Saunders courtyard and 7^th floor so students could meet informally

ï Department student lounges

9.   Programs assess student learning

ï Departments and programs developed plans to assess student learning outcomes

ï Sponsored symposium on the Value/Values of a Liberal Arts Education with workshop on assessing student success

C. Social Justice

1.   Foster culture of collegiality and excellence

ï Continued use of these values to make decisions and develop new initiatives

2.   Recognize our kuleana to honor the indigenous people of Hawaiëi

ï Development of an indigenous politics program

ï Appointment of new Hawaiian faculty members to Political Science and Sociology

ï At present, there are five Hawaiian faculty members

ï Proposal for financial support to ABD Hawaiian students Program is expected to go into effect this year

3.   Promote free exchange of ideas and be a source of renewal for our community

ï The purpose of Commitment to Excellence is to promote free exchange of ideas to renew the college

ï College Renewal

ï A listening project conducted in Spring, 2006 with the chairs and directors.

ï Identified Four Areas for Review and Renewal

ï Undergraduate Education

ï Focus on Basics

ï Reconceptualization and Reorganization

ï Resources

 

4.   Actively recruit and retain faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds

ï CSS continued its practice of hiring individuals from underrepresented groups.

ï In academic year 2005-2006, all four hires were women, two being of Hawaiian ancestry

ï In academic year 2006-07, six of the nine new permanent faculty members are men or women from underrepresented groups

ï CSS student body reflects the diversity of our state population. More students of Hawaiian ancestry major in the social sciences than in any other major

5.   Create a positive, respectful, and safe learning and working environment

ï Mutual respect, openness, and cooperation are values for conducting our daily interactions

ï The college is working with the Chancellorís office to make our buildings safer

6.   Provide scholarships and support to disadvantaged students

ï Proposal for financial support of ABD students of Hawaiian ancestry Program is expected to go into effect this year

D. Place

1.   Provide livable and secure environment

ï Lighting changes in Saunders Hall

ï CIP plans for renovation of Gartley Hall

ï Improvement to elevators

ï Support for UHM plans for building security

ï Plans for sustainable Saunders Hall

2.   Collegial interactions with gathering places

ï Plans for gathering place in the courtyard of Saunders Hall

ï Department student study areas

ï Tables and chairs in courtyard and 7th floor of Saunders Hall

ï Bulletin Boards across from elevators

3.   Utilize space more effectively

ï CSS space policy to assign space

ï Review of space use has been undertaken

4.   Redevelop Saunders courtyard

ï Plans for ìUniversity Villageî which will provide a place for faculty, staff, and students to have informal meetings as well as for food service

5.   Create Hawaiian sense of place

ï Landscaping of area around Saunders Hall

E. Economic Development

1.   Educate highly-trained citizens

ï Chairs and Directors reviewing undergraduate curriculum

2.   Promote scholarship and application relevant to Hawaiëiís economy

ï University of Hawaiëi Economic Research Organization

ï Social Sciences Public Policy Center: Board of Regents approved

ï Hawaiëi 2050 Sustainability Plan

ï Proposal for Native Hawaiian Economic Research and Training at UH

ï The Office of Evaluation and Needs Assessment Services provides research services to the community

3.   Provide employment opportunities for students

ï Will become part of responsibility of Social Sciences adviser

4.   Support local efforts of University of Hawaiëi Economic Research Organization

ï Positions and funds are part of 2007-2009 biennium budget request

5.   Encourage sustainable economic development in Hawaiëi

ï Hawaiëi 2050 Sustainability Plan

ï Deliberative discussion on sustainability sponsored by Public Policy Center

ï Sustainable Saunders Hall

6.   Expand resources to support college endeavors

ï Dialogue with Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs on distribution of tuition revenues

ï Dialogue with Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs on more equitable distribution of summer session revenue

F. Culture, Society and the Arts

1.   Promote artistic and cultural expression in instruction

ï Use of films as part of instruction

2.   Provide venues to showcase CSS research on culture and society

ï Deanís office display case

ï Womenís Studies art exhibit

ï Bulletin Boards by elevators in Saunders Hall

3.   Instill student pride by creating student clubs, events, and activities

ï See plans for undergraduate education: Board of College activities

4.   Build a vibrant community inclusive of alumni, retired faculty and staff

ï Units developing alumni networks

ï Retired faculty network organized by Fred Riggs

ï Award for distinguished retired faculty

ï New A & S Development Officer: Leslie Lewis

5.   Encourage interdisciplinary endeavors

ï Cross college appointments: SHAPS, Medical School, Law School, International Cultural Program, Communication Information Science Program

ï Within college multidisciplinary appointments: Ethnic Studies, Womenís Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy Center, Urban and Regional Planning, Public Administration, and Sociology

ï Multidisciplinary certificate programs

G. Technology

1.   Reduce paper environment

ï Paperless program initiated and being implemented across the college

2.   Enhance communications to students and community regarding academics, research, outreach activities

ï CSS online calendar

ï Bulletin board by Saunders Hall elevators

ï New SSRI electronic newsletter

ï Intramural funding opportunities (e.g., travel applications) available on CSS and †SSRI websites

3.   Encourage faculty and staff to use modern technology to support teaching, research, and administrative activities

ï SOC 601 Topics in Teaching Innovations: Spring 06

ï Support Staff Roundtable meetings

ï Many offices, like SSRI, have installed wireless communication systems.

4.   Promote use of technology through support services and  professional development

ï e-purchasing

ï e-travel

5.   Provide computer and internet access to students

ï CSS computer labs updated

ï Wireless Internet access installed in Saunders, Crawford, George, Gartley, Dean, and Physical Sciences Building (Cartography Lab)

6.   Improve interfaces with Banner

ï Harry Partika serves as CSS point person

7.   Expand on-line and technology-assisted instruction

ï Course taught on how to conduct distance learning classes