Part II: Implementation Strategy and Timetable

G. Implementation Strategy and Timetable in Chart Form

Reader's Question: To what extent is the implementation strategy for each activity comprehensive? To what extent is the timetable for each activity realistic and likely to be attained? 

H. Narrative of Implementation Strategy Rationale

Reader's Question: To what extent is the rationale for the implementation strategy for each activity clearly described and supported by the results of relevant studies or projects? 

The Centennial Planning Committee process, completed in 2001, defined the strengthening of advising as a University priority. During the past several years, and particularly during the summer of 2001, faculty and staff at Millikin University have examined the issue of advising.

In developing the Comprehensive Development Plan: Faculty Development and Advising Systems to Strengthen Retention of Students, the Title III Task Force understood that stronger advising activities had to be viewed in the context of the Millikin Plan of Student Learning, the needs of students who are not fully prepared for college, students who have other risk factors, and the other factors that affect the efficacy of the advising process. Of special concern are at-risk first-year students. By improving advising strategies, Millikin hopes to increase retention.

YEAR ONE (October 2002-September 2003)
Recruit key strategy coordinators for Title III project.
Project Coordinator, Provost
Identify qualified University faculty and staff prepared to undertake leadership on advising, retention, MPSL assessment, professional development and the student plan of study.
Coordinators (Project Coordinator, Activities Directors) in place at the beginning of grant period.

Prior to 10/02
10/02
MPSL: Establish Faculty Task Force on MPSL Assessment
Provost, Council on Curriculum Chair, Project Coordinator, MPSL Assessment Coordinator
Provost names Faculty Task Force on MPSL Assessment for life of Title III process. Task force includes representative from Council on Curriculum; Institutional Research Officer; Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs; Office of Service Learning; and Instructional Technology staff.
Task force establishes work plan, names Advising Development Coordinator, and begins assessment.

Prior to 10/02
10/02
EDGE: Improve on EDGE 1 and EDGE 2 work for students and across campus
Director of Academic Development Assistant Director for Academic Development, Office of Learning Assistance, selected faculty and staff, Orientation Leaders, Faculty
Regular meetings and assessment of initial EDGE efforts from fall 2002.
Revise EDGE program to reflect fall 2002 experience.

Prior to 10/02
08/03
Exploratory: Improve advisory methods
Director Academic Development, Asst. DAD, selected faculty, staff, Diversity Affairs Office, Orientation Leaders
Ongoing meetings and student focus groups.
Assess programs for minority student populations.
Revise Exploratory advising system and provide additional professional development based on student feedback.

10/02
08/03
Advising: Establish faculty-led ad-hoc subcommittee to develop advising protocols and assessment measures
Council on Faculty Chair, Provost, Deans, Project Coordinator, Advising Development Coordinator
Council on Faculty Chair, with Provost, will establish Faculty Task Force on Advising and recruit members, with assistance of Project Coordinator and Advising Dev. Coord. Advising Dev. Coord.
Subcommittee begins meeting and establishes work plan.

10/02
12/02
Advising: Initiate faculty development program for new faculty on MPSL
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord. University Teaching and Learning Director, Department Chairs.
Recruit new faculty for half-day development session on the genesis and processes involved in MPSL.
100% of new faculty participate as part of ongoing orientation process.

10/2
12/02
Plan of Study: Teacher Education program continues enhancement of existing students growth plans (pre-professional portfolios) as one model for MPSL plan of study.
Teacher Education faculty and students, portfolio evaluators, Advising staff
Workshops, seminars during which materials for 126 student pre-professional portfolios are evaluated. Information from evaluation that is relevant to other programs
Evaluation process completed and information disseminated.

10/02
5/03
EDGE: Assemble and train EDGE team
Director of Academic Development, University Teaching and Learning Programs Director, Asst. DAD, Office of Learning Assistance, selected faculty and staff, Orientation Leaders
Develops triad of student support (advisor, student mentor, first-year Seminar instructors). Inclusion of student support in First-Week and University Seminar
Well-trained team in place for Fall 2003. 

10/02
8/03
Exploratory: Assemble and train Exploratory advisors
Director Academic Development, University Teaching and Learning Director, selected faculty, staff, Diversity Affairs Office, Orientation Leaders
Individual meetings, seminars; Collaboration with First-year University Studies faculty; Training Seminars; Involve Advisors in First Week orientation program, University Seminar
Exploratory students assigned faculty advisor with specific skills in assisting students without declared major. Development
Subset of Exploratory Advisor faculty

10/02
8/03
MPSL: Identify strategy for assessment of Millikin Plan of Student Learning
Faculty Task Force on MPSL Assessment, MPSL Assessment Coord., University Capstone faculty; Sequential Element leaders.
Task Force determines initial pilot for assessment of the University Capstone courses.
Assessment strategy defined and commitments made for process.

10/02
1/03
Plan of Study: Secure general agreement and consensus on the role of the plan of study as part of MPSL and the central role of the majors in developing frameworks for plans of study; also on the role of technology in supporting that concept.
Council on Students and Academic Standards, Academic Deans, Chairs, Faculty, Plan of Study Coordinator, University Teaching and Learning Director, Academic Webmaster.
Council and Faculty discussion and votes with discussion brought to the entire faculty.
Commitment to move forward with the plan of study

10/02
5/03
Registration: Complete initial testing of software for registration that is compatible with University Banner program. Plan for training by Academic Technology.
University Registrar, Director of University Teaching and Learning, Admin. Information Services, University Webmaster, Director, Academic Technology
Registrar and Admin. Information Services complete software for Banner system based on Summer 2002 alpha test. Implement advising support system (CAPP) within Banner System.
Senior course registration online for spring.

10/02
03/03
Advising: Define workload parameters for advising and system for moving faculty towards a uniform advising workload.
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., Deans, Chairs, VP for Student Life and Development. Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs
Quantify present workloads in advising, particularly those that fall outside a model range and choose model for allocation of advising workloads.
Recommendations on advising workloads made to Provost and Council on Faculty

1/03
5/03
Advising: Integrate model advising materials from departments into major and University Studies advising materials
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., University Teaching and Learning Director.
Identify departments with strong advising materials and processes (handbooks, student-centered material, mentoring processes) and establish model for all areas of study
Models established and disseminated to departments and pilot in select departments or programs.

1/03
6/03
MPSL: Pilot assessment strategy for assessment of MPSL in University Capstone course
University Capstone faculty, University Teaching and Learning Director, MPSL Assessment Coord.
Pilot assessment tools using University Capstone courses.
Pilot assessment information gathered and assessment tools refined.

2/03
5/03
Registration: Student instruction in use of software.
University Registrar, Admin. Information Services, Academic Technology
Registrar offers series of student instruction session on use of online registration and sets up telephone assist protocols in office.
All students invited to instruction sessions.

03/03
04/03
Registration: Expand online registration offerings.
University Registrar, Admin. Information Services, Academic Technology
Registrar expands online listing of courses to summer and fall 2003 courses.
Course registration available online to more students.

05/03
06/03
Plan of Study: Develop skeletal Information technology-enhanced frameworks for plans of study based on prior work on the major
Faculty from six majors, Plan of Study Coordinator
Development activities of frameworks for plans of study; develop pilot activities involving students in plan of study activities. Majors chosen for the fact that they are already committed to the Plan of Study concept in their majors; Semester-long or summer committees (release time)
Design for pilot developed and prepared for 2003-2004 year.

06/03
08/03
Advising: Determine cost of and budget for reallocation of advising workload across the University.
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., Deans, Chairs, VP for Student Life and Development. University Teaching and Learning Director, VP for Finance.
Develop budget and investigate funding options.
University establishes budget for 2003-2004 for revised advising workload.

6/03
9/03
Advising: Revise Sequential Element courses to include advising component.
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord.
MPSL sequential elements and faculty modify courses to strengthen student use of the Individual Plan of Study.
Plan of Study activities integrated into courses.

6/03
9/03
MPSL: Develop MPSL assessment strategies for US Studies, Global Studies, University Seminar
Faculty Task Force on MPSL Assessment, MPSL Assessment Coordinator, Department representatives.
Using information from Capstone assessment, prepare assessment models for sequential University courses and pilot.
Assessment tools and preliminary data collected

8/03
9/03
Registration: Expand online registration offerings.
University Registrar, Admin. Information Services
Registrar expands online listing of courses to Interim courses.
Additional course registration online

08/03
09/03
Coordinate faculty development related to Title III activities and high-need students.
Faculty Development, Plan of Study, MPSL Assessment Coordinators, Director of Academic Development, Project Coordinator
Meet to prepare a five-year plan for coordination of faculty development related to Title III activities and teaching and advising needs of high-risk students. Seek approval from Provost.
Provost accepts plan.

10/02
12/02
Carry out five-year faculty development plan and review progress
Faculty Development, Plan of Study, MPSL Assessment Coordinators, Director of Academic Development, Project Coordinator
Meet quarterly to review progress of plan, carry out continuing need assessments coming out of Title III activities and faculty surveys.
Schedule additional training as required. On-going assessments of trainings documented.

1/03
9/03
EDGE and Exploratory teams in place early; SLAD structure established
Director of Academic Development, University Teaching and Learning Director, Asst. DAD, Office of Learning Assistance, selected faculty and staff, Orientation Leaders, Faculty
Bring in new faculty, respond to new student needs, adjust course design as appropriate
Higher retention

09/03
08/04
Advising: Attend national conference (NACADA)
Team of five faculty, College of Arts & Science
Faculty become more expert in advising students, assisting colleagues
Better advising team

7/03
7/03
Plan of Study: Pilot plan of study activities.
Faculty from six majors; students in those majors, Plan of Study Coordinator, Academic Webmaster.
Six pilot majors will pilot plans of study with students and evaluate outcomes.
Evaluation results of pilot activities based on adviser and advisee outcomes and opinions

09/03
06/04

YEAR TWO (October 2003-September 2004)
Advising: Continue faculty development program for new faculty on MPSL
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., Director of University Teaching and Learning.
Recruit new faculty for half-day development session on the genesis and processes involved in MPSL.
100% of new faculty participate.

10/3
12/03
Registration: Faculty Development on registration software.
University Registrar, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs, Admin. Information Services, Academic Technology
Instruction of Faculty (ongoing series of meetings, workshops, online materials developed and revisited) both new and experienced.
Increasing number of faculty members participate in development programs.

10/03
01/04
Advising: Council on Faculty approves assessment and workload standards for advising.
Council on Faculty, Provost, Project Director, Advising Dev. Coord.
Council places advising document on agenda, revises and approves for implementation.
Establishment of measurable criteria for advising responsibilities

10/3
4/04
Registration: Expand online registration offerings.
University Registrar, Admin. Information Services
Continue to add courses to online registration system.
Junior, sophomore and first year courses added

10/03
9/04
Registration: Student instruction in use of software.
University Registrar, Admin. Information Services
Registrar offers series of student instruction session on use of online registration.
All students invited to instruction sessions.

10/03
09/04
MPSL: Complete first long-term assessment measurement for MPSL
Institutional Research Officer; University Teaching and Learning Director, MPSL Assessment Coordinator, Evaluation Consultant; Department Representatives; leaders of MPSL Sequential Elements; 
Students in Sequential Element courses complete assessment, analysis of data completed by consultant, and information shared with Council on Curriculum, departments and campus community.
Assessment completed and information disseminated.

2/04
5/04
Plan of Study: pre-professional portfolios
Director, Teacher Education, faculty, evaluators, Director, Academic Development, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs
Refine evaluation methods, Exchanges with other departments, programs, Collaboration with University advising and plan of study strategies
Pre-professional portfolio program in place for Teacher Education Program.

6/03
5/04
Advising: Advising assessment and workload standards are incorporated into Policies and Procedure text.
Council on Faculty, Provost, Project Coordinator, Advising Dev. Coord.
After approval standards are put in document.
Standards implemented by chairs, deans, etc.

4/04
6/04
Continue to carry out five-year faculty development plan and review progress
Faculty Development, Plan of Study, MPSL Assessment Coordinators, Director of Academic Development, Project Coordinator
Meet quarterly to review progress of plan, carry out continuing need assessments coming out of Title III activities and faculty surveys.
Schedule additional training as required. On-going assessments of trainings documented.

10/03
9/04
Advising: Assess advising pilot experiences and refine assessment model(s)

Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., Institutional Research Officer, Evaluation Consultant, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs.
Series of forums and focus groups are held to document impact and perceptions of pilot advising programs.
Set of advising/assessment outcome guidelines to be proposed to faculty for approval

4/04
6/04
Advising: Attend national conference (NACADA)
Team of five faculty, Tabor School of Business
Faculty become more expert in advising students, assisting colleagues
Better advising team

7/04
7/04
Plan of Study: Expand plan of study system to nine additional majors come together to move forward as the Summer 2002 faculty did; 
Plan of Study Coordinator, Faculty from 15 majors. Selected freshman, sophomore, and junior students involved in pilot activities with advisers in those majors, Academic Deans, Chairs
Faculty from nine majors develop frameworks for plans of study; piloting activities involving students in plan of study activities. The faculty from the Summer 2003 majors would enhance frameworks for plans of study based on the piloting activities in 2003-2004 (Semester long or summer committees with release time)
Evaluation results of pilot activities based on adviser and advisee outcomes and opinions.

06/04
05/05
MPSL: Standardize MPSL assessment methods across Sequential Elements
Faculty Task Force on MPSL Assessment, Council on Curriculum, University Teaching and Learning Director, MPSL Assessment Coordinator, Evaluation Consultant; Department Representatives; leaders of MPSL Sequential Elements; 
Revise complete Sequential Elements assessment policy
Systematic approach to curricular assessment Adopted.

9/04
2/05

YEAR THREE (October 2004-September 2005)
Advising: Continue faculty development program for new faculty on MPSL
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., University Teaching and Learning Director.
Recruit new faculty for half-day development session on the genesis and processes involved in MPSL.
100% of new faculty participate.

10/04
12/04
Registration: Ongoing education on online access methods.
University Registrar, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs, Admin. Information Services, Academic Technology,
Marketing (for dissemination)
Continuing educational activities around online registration for new, transfer and continuing students.
Campus wide competence in using online system(s), measured by surveys, portfolios, etc.

10/04
09/07
Registration: Faculty Development on registration software.
University Registrar, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs, Admin. Information Services, 
Instruction of Faculty (ongoing series of meetings, workshops, online materials developed and revisited) both new and experienced.
Increasing number of faculty members participate in development programs.

10/04
09/07
Continue to carry out five-year faculty development plan and review progress
Faculty Development, Plan of Study, MPSL Assessment Coordinators, Director of Academic Development, Project Coordinator
Meet quarterly to review progress of plan, carry out continuing need assessments coming out of Title III activities and faculty surveys.
Schedule additional training as required. On-going assessments of trainings documented.

10/04
9/05
Advising: Standardize advising assessment methods across University 
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., University Teaching and Learning Director
Discussion of models, wording, consensus building of faculty assessment process.
Implementation of advising assessment process throughout the University

10/04
5/05
Advising: Attend national conference (NACADA)
Team of five faculty, School of Fine and Performing Arts
Faculty become more expert in advising students, assisting colleagues
Better advising team

7/03
7/03
MPSL Assessment completed.
Institutional Research Officer; University Teaching and Learning Director, MPSL Assessment Coordinator, Evaluation Consultant
Representative samples from most MPSL courses participate in assessment.
Assessment completed.

2/05
5/05
Plan of Study: Expand plan of study development to twelve additional majors. 
Plan of Study Coordinator, Faculty from 33 majors. Selected freshman, sophomore, and junior students involved in pilot activities with advisers in those majors, Academic Deans, Chairs
Faculty continue to develop activities of frameworks for plans of study; piloting activities involving students in plan of study activities The faculty from the Summer 2004 majors would also follow through on their work to enhance frameworks for plans of study based on the piloting activities in 2004-2005. The frameworks would be piloted during the academic year with freshman and sophomores in those nine majors.
Evaluation results of pilot activities based on adviser and advisee outcomes and opinions.

09/05
06/06

YEAR FOUR (2005-2006)
Advising: Continue faculty development program for new faculty on MPSL
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., University Teaching and Learning Director
Recruit new faculty for half-day development session on the genesis and processes involved in MPSL.
100% of new faculty participate.

10/05
12/05
MPSL: Begin consideration of long-term assessment
Faculty Task Force on MPSL Assessment, University Teaching and Learning Director, MPSL Assessment Coordinator, Council on Curriculum.
Council on Curriculum reviews Assessment information and implications for curriculum revision in MPSL.
Council on Curriculum makes recommendations on curriculum revisions.

10/05
2/06
Registration: Continue promotion and education regarding online registration.
University Registrar, Director of University Teaching and Learning, Admin. Information Services, Academic Technology, Marketing (for dissemination)
Registrar's office, with assistance from Marketing, promotes use of online scheduling and decreases option of paper registration.
Online scheduling universal

10/05
09/06
Registration: Ongoing education on online access methods.
University Registrar, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs, Admin. Information Services,, 
Marketing (for dissemination)
Continuing educational activities around online registration for new, transfer and continuing students.
Campus wide competence in using online system(s)

10/05
09/07
Registration: Faculty Development on registration software.
University Registrar, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs, Admin. Information Services, 
Instruction of Faculty (ongoing series of meetings, workshops, online materials developed and revisited) both new and experienced.
Increasing number of faculty members participate in development programs.

10/05
09/07
Advising: Post-graduation assessment of advising developed.
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., University Teaching and Learning Director, Evaluation Consultant.
Task force develops process for post-graduation assessment of advising (in addition to present assessment by students through student satisfaction measures).
Post-graduation assessment process recommended to Provost.

1/06
4/06
Advising: Attend national conference (NACADA)
Team of five faculty, School of Nursing
Faculty become more expert in advising students, assisting colleagues
Better advising team

7/03
7/03
Continue to carry out five-year faculty development plan and review progress
Faculty Development, Plan of Study, MPSL Assessment Coordinators, Director of Academic Development, Project Coordinator
Meet quarterly to review progress of plan, carry out continuing need assessments coming out of Title III activities and faculty surveys.
Schedule additional training as required. On-going assessments of trainings documented.

10/05
9/06
MPSL reassessment completed.
Institutional Research Officer; University Teaching and Learning Director, MPSL Assessment Coordinator, Evaluation Consultant;
All students in all MPSL courses participate in assessment.
Assessment completed.

2/06
5/06
Plan of Study: Complete expansion of plan of study process to remaining majors.
Plan of Study Coordinator, Faculty and students from all majors, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs, Academic Deans, Chairs, Academic Webmaster.
Complete integration of plan of study process throughout the University.
Complete evaluation by September 2006

09/06
06/07

YEAR FIVE (October 2006-September 2007)
Advising: Continue faculty development program for new faculty on MPSL
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., University Teaching and Learning Director
Recruit new faculty for half-day development session on the genesis and processes involved in MPSL.
100% of new faculty participate.

10/06
9/07
MPSL: Establish long-term Assessment protocol for University Model of MPSL.
Council on Curriculum, Provost. University Teaching and Learning Director, MPSL Assessment Coordinator,
Re-formulate Faculty Task Force on MPSL Assessment to continue process and secure University resources for assessment processes.
Protocol and resources in place

10/06
5/07
Plan of Study: All majors
Plan of Study Coordinator, Faculty and students from all majors, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs, Academic Deans, Chairs, Academic Webmaster.
Refine plan of study process.
All majors with plan of study framework in place.

Continue to carry out five-year faculty development plan and review progress
Faculty Development, Plan of Study, MPSL Assessment Coordinators, Director of Academic Development, Project Coordinator
Meet quarterly to review progress of plan, carry out continuing need assessments coming out of Title III activities and faculty surveys.
Schedule additional training as required. On-going assessments of trainings documented.

10/06
9/07
Develop plan for continuing faculty development on MPSL and high-need students
Faculty Development, Plan of Study, MPSL Assessment Coordinators, Director of Academic Development, Project Coordinator
Meet to prepare a plan for continuation of faculty development related to Title III activities and teaching and advising needs of high-risk students. Seek approval from Provost.
Provost accepts plan.

1/07
6/07
Advising: Continue faculty development program for new faculty on MPSL, integrate with standing new faculty development
Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., University Teaching and Learning Director
Recruit new faculty for half-day development session on the genesis and processes involved in MPSL.
100% of new faculty participate.

10/06
5/07
Advising: Attend national conference (NACADA)
Team of five faculty, College of Arts & Science
Faculty become more expert in advising students, assisting colleagues
Better advising team

7/03
7/03
Registration: articulate web-enhanced relationship between Registrar and Plans of Study
Registrar; Faculty Task Force on Advising, Advising Dev. Coord., University Teaching and Learning Director, Department Chairs
Collaborative meetings, pilots, training seminars
Registration and Plans of Study integrated

9/06
8/07
Registration: Ongoing education on online access methods.
University Registrar, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs, Admin. Information Services,
Marketing (for dissemination)
Continuing educational activities around online registration for new, transfer and continuing students.
Campus wide competence in using online system(s)

10/06
09/07
Registration: Faculty Development on registration software.
University Registrar, Director, University Teaching and Learning Programs, Admin. Information Services, 
Instruction of Faculty (ongoing series of meetings, workshops, online materials developed and revisited) both new and experienced.
Increasing number of faculty members participating in development programs.

10/06
09/07