ANDREWS UNIVERSITY EXIT REPORT OF THE ANDREWS UNIVERSITY ... › ~burton › 2004PortfolioMaterials › Service... · 14. The Music and Education faculties for their exploration and

ANDREWS UNIVERSITY

EXIT REPORT OF THE

ANDREWS UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC AUDIT TEAM

OF THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS AT

CARIBBEAN UNION COLLEGE

Submittedby

Charles H. Tidwell, Jr., Director, Affiliation and Extension ProgramsMerlene A. Ogden, Dean Emeritus, Affiliation and Extension Programs

Larry D. Burton, Associate Professor of Curriculum, School of EducationJulienne Q. Lee, Assistant Registrar for Affiliation Programs

William D. Wolfer, Chair, Department of Engineering and Computer Science

March 16, 2003

1. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

On behalf of Andrews University, the 2003 Audit Team would like to take this opportunity to express their heartfeltthanks for the hospitality and Christian courtesy they experienced during their audit visit to Caribbean UnionCollege from March 10 - 16, 2003. Administrators, faculty, staff, and students alike were always friendly, helpful,and attentive during casual conversations, formal interviews, and group discussions. In particular, the Audit Teamwould like to thank Mr. Carlton Drepaul and Mr. Anthony Brumble and the members of the Caribbean UnionCollege self-study committee for the detailed attention they gave in preparing a substantive and well-organized self-study report.

II. GENERAL COMMENDAnONS

After visiting the campus of Caribbean Union College from March 10-16, 2003, and having the opportunity tointerview administrators, faculty, staff, and students, to examine the library collection, and to visit the other physicalfacilities appropriate for the various undergraduate programs, the Andrews University academic audit teamcommends the appropriate members of the College Board, Administration, Faculty, and Stafffor the following:

I. The 2002 Administration for their vision in planning and implementing an outstanding 75th Anniversaryyear.

2. The Board of Trustees for their continued support of Christian education at Caribbean Union College andfor giving attention to the need for substantive remuneration increases.

3. The Administration for their forward-looking vision to enable Caribbean Union College to achieve itspotential, particularly for focusing on needed facilities, maintaining a qualified faculty, providing financialsupport for student scholarships, and especially for promoting a friendly, collegial, and spiritualatmosphere.

4. The Faculty for their commitment to academic excellence, to working with students, and to supporting theideals of Christian education.

5. The Staff for their unwavering support and attention to student needs and to details enabling the College tofunction smoothly.

6. The Alumni for their continued and significant financial support including the Bender Windows softwareprogram, library development, and the continued upkeep of La Realista.

7. The Students for their enthusiasm and willingness to articulate their vision for Christian education atCaribbean Union College and for their commitment to excellence in their academic studies.

8. The Administration for appointing a Freshman Advisor to assist first-year students with setting up theirprograms of study and facilitating orientation to the College program.

9. The Administration for their support of on-going maintenance and physical improvement of facilitiesincluding:

. air-conditioning the library,

. providing office space and computer resources for admissions and records,

. acquiring the Bender Windows software program,. renovating sections of the Press Building to provide teacher office and class space for BehavioralSciences and Education,

. making attractive expansions to the music and theology buildings,. providing additional copy center locations,

. providing faculty lounge computers,

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. refurbishing former records office space into a lab and faculty offices,maintaining overall campus buildings and grounds..

10. The Librarian and the Library Support Staff for reorganizing their space to facilitate improved services, formaintaining and developing a growing collection while also giving attention to the appropriate weeding ofout-dated materials, for limiting access of secondary students, and for providing internet and electronic cardcatalog access.

11. The Admissions and Records Office Personnel for maintaining on-going operations in spite of officerelocation, personnel changes and reassignments, and transition to a new administrative software system.

12. The Director of Public Relations and Alumni Affairs for creating a Caribbean Union College web site andpublishing an informative and attractive electronic newsletter for alumni.

13. The Theology, Religion, and Behavioral Science Department for developing program handbooks and theBusiness Education Department for preparing a program guide template.

14. The Music and Education faculties for their exploration and proposals for new majors and certificateprograms.

15. The Behavioral Sciences program for its rapid growth and development.

16. The Home Economics Department for proposing a change in name and curriculum to reflect contemporarysocial needs.

17. The English, Biology, Computer Science, Business Education Departments as well as other teachingmajors for proposing a curriculum which more fully meets the needs of students seeking employment in theCaribbean region.

18. The Theology and Religion Department for providing substantial opportunities for practical experience asevidenced in the Student Week of Prayer, the Evangelistic Crusade and in other outreach programs.

19. The English as a Second Language Program for developing an attractive curriculum taught by qualifiedfaculty to meet the needs of Seventh-day Adventists in the region.

The Administration for appointing an Honors Director and proposing an honors program.

III. GENERAL RECOMMENDAnONS

After evaluating the information gained during the audit visit, the team wishes to make the followingrecommendations to help strengthen the programs at Caribbean Union College. It is recommended:

General

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1. That the Administration, Deans, Chairs, and Faculty give continued attention to the academic assessmentprogram at Caribbean Union College and not only continue to set goals and objectives which should berevisited on a regular and systematic basis but also collect data (through testing, other instruments, andsenior exit interviews) which shall be used to inform and initiate appropriate changes in the programs andprocesses of the College. In addition, the Administration is strongly encouraged to appoint an AssessmentOfficer to provide oversight and guidance to the assessment process.

That the Board and Administration update their Strategic Master Plan, both physical and academic, and thatinstitutional priorities be set. In support of such a plan, it shall be necessary to appoint a Development /Advancement Officer with the primary role of providing direction and support for the fund-raising goals of

the College. Such an officer ideally should have proposal writing skills as well as prior experience indealing with corporations and non-governmental organizations. Such organizations should be seen as asignificant source of funding and equipment to suppor1;the College's needs.

3. That the Board give further study to its role in providing capital funding for the College. In addition, theBoard is encouraged to give lay membership, both men and women, a larger representation on the Board.

4. That the Board provide resources which will maintain a well-qualified and stable faculty.

5. That the Administration give study to implementing a clearer, more comprehensive advising process.While the appointment of a Freshman Advisor is an important step, areas to be considered includeassigning specific advisors in each department and clarifying faculty advisory roles. In addition, thedevelopment of program guides for all majors is needed before Fall 2003 registration, with copies sent tothe Director of Affiliation and Extension Programs.

6. That the Administration continue to search for and retain qualified faculty and staff in a sufficient numberto provide adequate coverage for all courses (including duplicate sections when necessary) and supportprograms. Special attention needs to be given to achieving the goal of having at least one doctorally-qualified faculty member for each major offered. The Biology and Computer Science Departments needimmediate faculty appointments. In addition, because of the increasing reliance on technology, computersupport services will need attention.

7. That the Administration implement an annual orientation process for both faculty and academic supportstaff to facilitate the understanding of the liberal arts education concepts underlying an Andrews Universitydegree as well as the wholistic concepts of Christian education. After such a faculty staff orientation, asimilar comprehensive student orientation program needs to be scheduled.

8. That the Administration, Faculty, and Staff give study to ways to enhance faculty and staff services tostudents. While positive relationships are a hallmark of the character of Caribbean Union College,attention still needs to be given to improve those areas where students perceive problems, such as studentfinancial services, health and emergency facilities, and technology support.

9. That the Administration undertake a systematic analysis of the entire campus system with regard to spaceutilization and allocation. For instance, the Vice President for Academic Administration in collaborationwith the Dean of Natural Sciences and the science and mathematics faculty should focus on the need forlarge non-laboratory classes while also providing adequate laboratory coverage. Dual purpose laboratoryand classrooms may need to be considered as an option. Where possible, a group study and resource areashould be provided for each department's majors. In addition to classrooms, laboratories, and offices,adequate space for an Academic Skills Center which would combine a Reading and Writing Center needsto be provided.

10. That the Administration give study to ways to improve textbook acquisition and usage. Not only dostudents need to have greater encouragement to purchase and use the appropriate textbooks for each course,but they also need a sufficient quantity of textbooks (when cost is a significant factor) provided in a centrallocation such as the reserve collection of the Library.

11. That the Administration continue to provide significant opportunities for professional growth and researchfor faculty including funding for attendance at professional and academic conferences, providingopportunities for in-service training, and scheduling release time for research.

12. That the Administration and Faculty continue to give attention to prompt submission of grade reports asstipulated by the Caribbean Union College Records office.

13. That the Administration continue to allocate funds annually for library collection development.

14. That the Administration provide classroom support equipment as identified by each department for eachclassroom building including the Humanities and Fine Arts, Computer and Natural Science, HomeEconomics, Music, and Behavioral Science and Education.

15. That Financial Administration continue to give attention to increasing both liquidity and working capitaland to reducing outstanding accounts receivable in order to achieve a healthy financial operation. Inaddition, the Administration needs to give further study to the allocation process of departmental budgets toenable departments to have managerial control over the officially-approved supplies and equipmentbudgets. For example, laboratory supplies and equipment need to be ordered and available at the start ofeach semester.

16. That the Administration develop a financial plan to assist faculty and staff in obtaining computer hardwareto support their teaching and research needs.

17. That the Administration provide additional general purpose computers and printers as well as adequateoffice furniture (such as posture-supporting chairs for full-time staff and equipping a student work station)for the Admission and Records Office.

Andrews Universi!y

1. That Andrews University provide assessment materials and guidance in the assessment process.

2. That Andrews University provide support (such as access to appropriate software and a scanning device) toenable prompt evaluation and assessment of Student Evaluations of Teaching.

3. That Andrews University provide information on sources for treeware appropriate for Computer Science.

4. That Andrews University provide, upon request and as resources are available, Andrews University facultyfor mentoring, workshops, consultations, professional development, and short-term intensives of specificcourses where local faculty are unavailable.

IV. CONCLUSION

The members of the 2003 academic audit team wish to thank the administration, faculty, staff, and students for theirkindness and hospitality while team members were on campus, including attention to transportation and meals, cleanand comfortable accommodations, and the opportunity to learn more fully about the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.It was evident throughout the visit that each one was committed to maintaining the ideals of Christian education onthe Caribbean Union College campus. All administrators, faculty, and staff members appeared eager to work withAndrews University to achieve a high standard of excellence for their students. The support of the College Board,the constituency, and alumni around the world is appreciated and remains central to the continued growth of theCollege.

Therefore, based upon evidence of the quality of the programs being offered at Caribbean Union College as revealedin their Self-Study Report and during personal evaluation by team members while on the campus, the AndrewsUniversity Audit Team unanimously recommends to the Andrews University Affiliation and Extension ProgramsCommittee that the affiliation between Caribbean Union College and Andrews University be continued with the nextacademic audit visit to be scheduled during the 2005-2006 school year. The President of Caribbean Union Collegeis requested to submit an annual progress report on the status of the recommendations by July 15 of each year,beginning in 2004.