News & Notes from the Provost’s Office Dear Colleagues: I am excited about this inaugural edition of the “News and Notes” from the Provost’s Office. This goal of this online newsletter is to share important information about things happening around campus that impact our faculty and community. We plan to distribute this e-newsletter twice a semester beginning in the fall. We are excited to share several ongoing initiatives and endeavors in this edition. We welcomed Dr. Jim Barnes this past year as the university ombudsman, and he shares his insights about the office. We also explain how the university’s Position Metric guides the allocation and reallocation of faculty positions, and we summarize the results of a report about liberal arts education from the AAC&U. I welcome your feedback and suggestions, and invite you to attend one of the remaining Coffees with the Provost sessions slated for this semester. Thank you for your many efforts this academic year. I hope you are having a successful spring semester. Best wishes, Lori Gonzalez
Employers Want Both Broad Knowledge and Specific Skills Which of the following ranges of knowledge and skills are more important for recent graduates who want to pursue advancement and long-term career success at your company?
• Knowledge and skills that apply to a specific field or position • A range of knowledge and skills that apply to a range of fields or positions • Both field-specific knowledge and skills and a broad range of knowledge and skills
16%
55%
29%
Source: “Liberal Arts Graduates and Employment: Setting the Record Straight” Association of American Colleges and Universities, © 2014
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AAC&U Released Report that Liberal Arts Education Prepares Graduates for Long-Term Professional Success College students who pursue their degree within the context of a broad liberal education substantially increase their ability to achieve long-term professional success, according to a recent study. Earlier this year, the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) published a study, “How liberal arts and sciences majors fare in employment” written by Debra Humphreys and Patrick Kelly. The report compares earning trajectories and career pathways for liberal arts majors with the earnings trajectories and career pathways for those majoring in fields of science, mathematics, engineering, and professional or preprofessional fields, such as business or education. A liberal education is defined as, “An approach to college learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity and change.” Humphreys and Kelly said, “Such an education provides knowledge and skills in areas such as critical thinking, analytic reasoning, written and oral communication, complex problem solving, and quantitative reasoning.” 1
The study said analyzing employment and earnings data can be misleading as higher education is not just about finding immediate gainful employment, and instead should be determined by what happens to graduates in the long term. Humphreys and Kelly reported while differences do exist related to employment, most college graduates, regardless of their major, achieve success in their careers. AAC&U President Carol Geary Schneider said, “Recent attacks on the liberal arts by ill-informed commentators and policy makers have painted a misleading picture of the value of the liberal arts to individuals and our communities.” Based on findings, the study reported: • Unemployment rates are low for Liberal Arts graduates and decline over time; • Liberal Arts majors close earnings gap and earn more than professional majors at peak earnings ages; • Liberal Arts graduates disproportionately pursue social services professions; • Many Liberal Arts and Sciences majors also attain graduate and professional degrees and experience significant earnings boosts when they do; and, • Median annual salaries are highest for engineering graduates, but regardless of the undergraduate major, college degrees lead to increased earnings over time and protect against unemployment. The researchers analyzed public-use files from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Surveys for 2010 and 2011, which report the education and occupation of approximately three million residents between 21 to 65 years of age who hold bachelor’s degrees in a number of professions.
Behind the Scenes of the Position Metric To help determine the best way to allocate faculty positions, the Position Metric, a system unique to Appalachian, is a tool used to assess faculty position needs in departmental units. The Position Metric uses a variety of inputs developed in consultation with departments, and calculates a needs profile based on a comparison of targeted and actual student credit-hour productivity for the departmental units. These calculations are based on the actual Note: Current college organizations are shown retrospectively to 2001-02. Source: IRAP, annual master course files. 2.12.14 credit-hour offerings and the target model inputs for the departmental unit. With this information, a graphical presentation of the need profile can be produced to help illustrate what areas need more faculty. Developed in 2004 during the tenure of Provost Stanley Aeschleman, the Position Metric was designed as a tool to summarize large quantities of complex raw data into a more manageable compilation that can be analyzed over time to support faculty allocation decisions. “As student credit hours grow, typically you need more faculty members,” said Dr. Timothy Burwell, vice provost for resource management. “The part of the budget allocation that we dedicate toward faculty instruction is rather significant. We want to be good stewards with that.”
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There are five input areas for the model: 1. Target average instructional workload of department faculty in credit hours (based on18 equivalent credit hours for tenure-track faculty and 24 equivalent credit hours for non-tenure track faculty) 2. Target average class size based on level of the courses 3. Target percentage of student credit hours produced by tenure-track and non-tenured track faculty 4. Average faculty salary (Derived from CUPA-HR Salary Data) 5. Actual student credit hours produced as provided by Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning There are three principal outputs including comparisons of 1. Total full-time equivalent faculty need; 2. Total full-time equivalent tenure-track faculty need; and 3. Student credit hour per full-time equivalent faculty productivity Using a trend chart, the Position Metric visually breaks down the results by department, college, and university as a whole. Some charts include comparisons of national benchmark data gathered from the Delaware Cost Study for comparable universities. With the Position Metric, the Provost’s Office works with college deans and department chairs to determine the best way to allocate position lines based on the data provided. For a complete Metric Chart Summary for 20082013, please click here.
Search Updates Dean of the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School A search committee has begun the process of identifying Appalachian’s next dean of the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School. The position description is posted here. Among other requirements, the committee seeks candidates who will provide leadership in all areas related to graduate education on our campus: oversight of graduate program review; analysis of curricula; monitoring of national trends in graduate education; and a wide range of activities associated directly with graduate students. Interviews will occur late in the spring semester, including open sessions for all members of the university community, with the intention of welcoming a new dean to campus in July or August. The committee, co-chaired by Scott Collier, associate professor of Exercise Science, and William Pelto, dean of the Hayes School of Music, includes faculty members from all colleges. Search committee members include Rahman Tashakkori, Sue Edwards, Tim Huelsman, Tracy Goodson-Epsy, Marie Hoepfl, Nicholas Jordan, Bill Pollard, Gary Boye, and Sandra Vannoy. The committee also wishes to thank Edelma Huntley, who has served as graduate dean since 2005, for her dedicated and creative service to the university.
Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Compliance Brill Neumann, a search firm experienced with hiring equity, diversity, and compliance candidates in higher education, is conducting a search for Appalachian’s next Chief Diversity Officer. A search firm was chosen after an unsuccessful search beginning in spring of 2013. In January, Brill Neumann met with more than 25 faculty, staff, and administrators to discuss what Appalachian is looking for in an ideal candidate. From that visit, the search committee approved the position description now posted on the website.
For a chart of the actual student credit hours produced, please click here.
After the initial review of applicants and completion of phone
Appalachian welcomes ombudsman Dr. James F. Barnes
nominate candidates and participate in the on-campus
Dr. James Barnes, a professor in the Department of Government and Justice Studies, has been appointed university ombudsman after serving as interim since spring of 2013. The Office of the Spring 2014
interviews, two to three candidates will be invited to campus to interview in April. The campus community is invited to interviews. Search committee members include Tony Bly, J.J. Brown, Amy Carson, Mark Ginn, Susan King, Barb Krause, Donna Lillian, Maranda Maxey, Angie Miller, Ken Mullen, and Tommy Wrenn. Please contact the chair, Mary Reichel, or any other committee member for additional information.
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Ombud provides a confidential environment for faculty, staff and students to discuss individual campus-related concerns or problems in a neutral environment, and helps individuals think about and assess a range of alternatives. The Office of the Ombud listens to the individual(s) and offers advice; the office has no legal authority. “It’s an enjoyable job because you really can see that you’ve helped somebody resolve a problem,” said Dr. Barnes. “I like being able to do that, having been a faculty member and an administrator for many years I think that’s given me knowledge and perspective on a lot of things that other people might not have the ability to and I really enjoy that.” The identity of individuals and communication are kept in strict confidence, and any confidential communications are not disclosed without permission, unless required by law or if there is an imminent risk of serious harm.
Coffees with the Provost Your chance to ask questions, discuss what’s on your mind, or keep current on what is happening in Academic Affairs. Small group discussions allow for quality discussions. April 8, 4-5pm, B.B. Dougherty Room 207 April 9, 4-5pm, B.B. Dougherty Room 207 April 11, 4-5pm, B.B. Dougherty Room 207 Click here to register
Upcoming Events: April 8
Watauga County EDC Spring
To listen to a podcast of Dr. Barnes discussing his new appointment, click here. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 2622559 or visit the University Ombuds Office website.
April 8
Coffee with the Provost
Share your thoughts
April 22-23
I enjoy hearing from you, and welcome your feedback and ideas, as well as brief articles of interest to faculty members. Please send to: provost@appstate.edu.
April 9
April 12
May 1-2
May 9-11 May 20
August 18
Summit
Coffee with the Provost
Spring Open House Information Fair
Chief Academic Officer (CAO) Meeting in Chapel Hill
ASU Foundation Board Meetings Commencement Ceremonies Board of Visitors Meeting in Raleigh
All Faculty and Staff Meeting
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori S. Gonzalez requests the honor of your presence at Spring Commencement May 9 – 11, 2014 Holmes Convocation Center I look forward to sharing this academic milestone with you as we recognize the degree candidates you have educated and mentored. This day is a celebration of accomplishment for the graduates and for the outstanding faculty at Appalachian State University.
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