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Stakeholder Needs Commitment Declaration

Develop a plan to assist new full-time students in transition to college.

The Action Project Commitment Declaration

Institution: Pratt Community College
Planned project kickoff date: :   10/29/07
 
Target project completion date: 12/15/08
  
Actual project completion date:  
 
A. Give this Action Project a short title in 10 words or fewer.  Develop a plan to assist new full-time students in transition to college.
 
B. Describe this Action Project’s goal in 100 words or fewer. The goal of this project is to strengthen the transition of new full-time students to the college as a means to enhance their college experience and promote retention. To educate and assist students in college policies and procedures during their initial weeks to reduce their frustration with unfamiliar processes. To create resources for students to get assistance with problems and issues which will promote a sense of security. To retain students who may have otherwise left the institution due to these issues.
  
C. Identify the single AQIP Category that this Action Project will most affect or impact.
 Understanding students’ and other stakeholders’ needs
  
D. Describe briefly your institution’s reasons for taking on this Action Project now — why the project and its goals are high among your current priorities. We received feedback from students through the Student Satisfaction Survey (Noel-Levitz), the Leadership Council, and student forums. The students indicated their frustration with the lack of information and resources.
 

 E. List the organizational areas — institutional departments, programs, divisions, or units — most affected by or involved in this Action Project.

  • Information Technology
  • Information Services
  • Key Student Services staff
  • Students
  • Faculty/Advisors
  • Student Success Center                
F. Name and describe briefly the key organizational process(es) that you expect this Action Project to change or improve.
  • Enrollment Process
  • Application/Admissions Process
  • Business Office Process (payments, financial aid,etc)
  • Registrar Process
  • Housing Process
All processes improved by providing information to new students regarding each process through a web based instruction guide, helpdesk, and FAQ’s.
  
G. Explain the rationale for the length of time planned for this Action Project (from kickoff to target completion).  
This project should be completed in one year. The following are mileposts:
  • January ’08                Interview focus groups
  • February ’08              interview offices for FAQ’s / Add to website
  • March/April ’08         Develop procedures for a helpdesk to be implemented for Summer ’08 Semester
  • May ’08                       Implement Helpdesk
  • May-July ’08              Develop an online instructional guide 
  • Aug ’08                       Online instructional guide implemented for Fall ‘09
  • Sept-Nov ’08             Monitor usage and effectiveness of individual projects
  • December ’08           Action project completed. Determine success of action project by re-interviewing focus groups, online survey, student forums, and Student Satisfaction Survey (Noel-Levitz, CESSE)
H. Describe how you plan to monitor how successfully your efforts on this Action Project are progressing.  By achieving our mileposts and monitoring each individual project as it is implemented.
  

I. Describe the overall “outcome” measures or indicators that will tell you whether this Action Project has been a success or failure in achieving its goals.

  • Results of online survey
  •  Feedback from student focus groups and forums
  • Perceived decrease in frequency of questions and problems for staff
  • Number of “hits” on FAQ’s and Helpdesk
  • Improve scores on Noel Levitz and other surveys
 J. Other information (e.g., publicity, sponsor or champion, external partners, etc.)
  
K. Project Leader and contact person: Janell DeMint, Coordinator of Operations and Services for Enrollment; janelld@prattcc.edu; 620-450-2112