May 4, 2022 To the Members of ASMSA’s Community of Learning: A few weeks ago, a photo came up in my daily Timehop app from 2013 when the late Dr. Jon Ruehle gave us a first look at Razorback Scratch. Dr. Ruehle had been approached by The ASMSA Foundation earlier that year to develop a piece similar in nature to a project he had previously completed for the University of Texas at Austin to recognize major donors. Razorback Scratch would be a tangible show of gratitude to members of the ASMSA Founders Society. The society includes supporters who contribute to either endowments or capital projects. Contributor’s donations have often supported significant and sometimes immediate needs for our school and students. Each time we had the opportunity to present one of these bronzes to a friend of the school, Dr. Ruehle was able to give it to this champion for ASMSA in person. Though Dr. Ruehle was a celebrated wildlife artist and an exceptional scholar in life sciences, he was first-and-foremost an educator. Generally soft-spoken, he would beam with pride in each of the photos where one of his works was awarded. The moment was bittersweet late last month when my wife Stephanie and I were presented with our own Razorback Scratch at this year’s Community of Learning Luncheon. The event was one day shy of the tenth anniversary of when we first set foot on the ASMSA campus for my interview to become Director of the school, but it was also the first Founders Society presentation since Dr. Ruehle's death in October 2020. Since moving to Arkansas, Stephanie and I have enjoyed becoming part of the community and witnessing the impact that philanthropists and visionaries can have on the school. Philanthropic investment in the potential of young people makes their future possible and ensures a brighter future for all of Arkansas. The endowments or capital support that leads to membership in the Founders Society leaves a lasting legacy and impacts ASMSA for years to come. However, the kind of legacy that Dr. Ruhele created through mutual admiration with his students and colleagues, the sparking of so many careers of emerging scientists, as well as his service to the school is a unique form of support that transcends financial investment and continues to be an inspiration for us all. Sincerely,
Corey Alderdice ASMSA Director
Office of the Director May 2022 Quarterly Report Corey Alderdice, ASMSA Director By the Numbers • Thanks to a strong state revenue forecast, a 4% merit-based salary increase is planned for FY23. An additional $150,000 is allocated toward the Faculty Advancement Plan. • A total of 20 ASMSA seniors have been awarded the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy this year. The state reached a milestone this semester of a cumulative 3,000 students receiving the designation. • ASMSA’s League of Legends and Mario Kart e-Sports teams reached the Final Four in the spring state tournament. FY23 Budget Planning Despite the economic pressures of inflation, state revenues continue to exceed projections for the current fiscal year. ASMSA has submitted a budget for approval to the University of Arkansas System that reflects a 3.9% increase in funding for FY23 that begins on July 1, 2022. As noted above, ASMSA is planning a 4% merit increase in salary for employees who received positive evaluations during the annual process conducted in March 2022 and who were employed prior to January 1, 2022. This is in line with System practices on salary increases. Though the planned raise does not fully keep pace with inflation, it does represent the largest one-year increase for employees over the past decade. Special funds have been set aside for the implementation of the Faculty Advancement Plan after the initial review cycle is completed and candidates receive Board of Trustees approval in Fall 2022. Additional funds have been allocated for facilities depreciation as a result of the renovation of the Chapel and Convent as well as planned maintenance and roof repairs on the current Academic and Administration Building. Between August 2021 and December 2022, ASMSA will have replaced the HVAC system, elevators, fire monitoring and suppression system, and roof on the school’s primary academic building. Campus Facilities Planning Renovations continue on schedule for the Chapel and Convent project. The expected handover date for the convent is the week of July 24th with the chapel following close behind the week of August 7th. Furniture is expected to arrive in late July as well. Since only returning students will be housed in the facility, we believe there will be sufficient time for final preparation of the space. ASMSA has submitted a resolution to the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees for the May 2022 regarding a new, honorary name for the building. A formal announcement is planned for late May subject to the Board’s approval. Preliminary design work has been completed on the new Campus Administration Building. Engineering and systems design is currently in process. The project is expected to go to bid this
summer with construction beginning later this year. We estimate completion of the building in early 2024. ASMSA has sought transfer of the area comprising the Student Center courtyard, which is includes both the Chapel and Convent as well as the future site of the Campus Administration Building from the City of Hot Springs. Director Alderdice will be attending a working meeting of the Hot Springs City Board of Directors later this month to address questions on the planned timeline for vacating the hospital complex. Preliminary discussions have also begun about transferring the Academic and Administration Building at 200 Whittington Ave. to the school as well as parcels of land behind the Student Center. The final project necessary to vacate the hospital complex is establishing a permanent location for the Maintenance Shop, which is currently housed within the ground floor of the Cedar Street Complex. The school anticipates making a decision on the scope and location of the project in late 2022 once final costs have been determined for all ongoing projects as well the availability of funds based on the final FY23 budget and carryover funding from FY22. Challenge Success Survey ASMSA and other members of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS) have chosen to participate in a special cohort of the Challenge Success-Stanford Survey of Adolescent School Experiences. 161 ASMSA students electively participated in the survey during its administration last month. A copy of the Executive Summary for ASMSA’s data is attached to this report. Challenge Success is a research study on students’ social, emotional, and physical well-being, as well as on students’ educational goals and their views on the academic climate and expectations at their school and at home. This special cohort presents an important opportunity for ASMSA to not only better understand the needs of our student population but also to benchmark our growth in a variety of areas to that of the schools most like us throughout the country. Campus leadership, our Student Success Team, Student Life Staff, and mental health professionals have begun a review of individual data related to the campus. The NCSSS benchmarking data will not be available until later this fall. Director Alderdice has requested Challenge Success make some cohort data over the summer or seek comparable data on other boarding schools to better contextualize ASMSA’s report. COVID-19 Updates After a relatively quiet period with limited positive COVID-19 cases on campus, ASMSA has experienced a mini-cluster of six student cases at the start of May. Nationally, there has been a 50% increase in positive cases in recent weeks. While many students and employees continue to be diligent in wearing masks, the elective policies for doing so does create additional space for transmission—particularly within the residential environment. ASMSA’s COVID-19 Workgroup met in early April to continue discussions on the school’s shift toward sustainable practices related to the mitigation of COVID-19. For the past two years, ASMSA’s students and employees have risen to the challenges of the pandemic. Due to the
unique nature of our community of learning, we have often exceeded recommendations out of an abundance of caution. Though the pandemic is not yet over, the group agrees that changes in UA System recommendations means now is the appropriate time to achieve a better balance in our measures that keep the safety of our campus in mind but also limit the effects of our protocols on mental health, family engagement, and overall campus life. While some changes will occur in the current academic year, others may be held until the start of the new semester in August as we best assess current conditions across the state and nation. The COVID-19 Workgroup recommended that we begin by bringing our quarantine and isolation protocols for employees in line with the current CDC guidelines. Amending these requirements for students requires additional discussion and planning due to limited space on campus for students to either quarantine or isolate themselves. Campus leadership has a meeting with peers from other residential high schools across the country this month to discuss our individual protocols and how to bring them into alignment with each other. As a general reminder, you should quarantine and stay away from others when you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If you are sick or test positive, isolate when you are sick or when you have COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms. If you were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations: In this case, employees must remain at home and quarantine for at least 5 days. Wear a well-fitting mask (KN95 or similar) if you must be around others in your home. Even if you don’t develop symptoms, employees should get tested on the fifth day after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. You may return to work on the sixth day if negative. Once back on campus, you should watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. You must also wear a well-fitting mask (KN95 or similar) for 10 full days any time you are around others on campus. Both testing and masks are available to all members of the campus community at no charge. If you were exposed to COVID-19 and ARE up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations or had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test): In this case, you do not need to quarantine so long as you remain free of symptoms. Even if you don’t develop symptoms, employees should get tested on the fifth day after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. You should watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. You must also wear a well-fitting mask (KN95 or similar) for 10 full days any time you are around others on campus. If you tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status: Positive employees must stay home for 5 days and should isolate themselves from others in your home. You may end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. You may return to work on the sixth day. If you got very sick from COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system, you should isolate yourself for at least 10 days. In these cases, you should consult your doctor before ending
isolation. You must also wear a well-fitting mask (KN95 or similar) for 10 full days any time you are around others on campus. Day 0 is your first day of symptoms or a positive viral test. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed or your test specimen was collected. If you have COVID-19 or have symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days. Thanks are in order for our students, faculty, and staff who have contributed to the COVID-19 Workgroup discussions over the past two years. These conversations have been meaningful and at times spirited. Their voices have been essential in developing policies that make sense for our campus community. We also want to express our continuing appreciation to Nurse Monica, Staci Stich, and Maddisyn Karn. Whether it is the physical or mental health of students, they have been the hub of many of our efforts since the start of the pandemic. Finally, a word of thanks to Dr. Morris as Chair of the Workgroup and Nia Rieves for her efforts to closely monitor policies and best practices across all K-12 and higher education institutions in Arkansas. The “new normal” may still be some distance away, but we will continue to take every reasonable step to continue to preserve the residential experience. Faculty Advancement Plan The draft framework for the Faculty Advancement Plan has received approval from the System Vice-President for Academic Affairs and well as the Office of General Counsel for compliance with Board Policy on promotion. The plan will be presented as an information item to the Board of Trustees at the May 2022 meeting. Because it is in the best interest of ASMSA and its students to have a highly-skilled and motivated faculty that consistently seeks out professional development and growth, ASMSA’s Governing Council has worked with campus leadership to propose this Faculty Advancement Plan. Faculty engagement and excellence should be encouraged by rewarding dedicated faculty for their hard work, skillful pedagogy, as well as service to the institution, their field, and the community. As described in ASMSA’s 2025 Strategic Plan, this proposal focuses on faculty growth and continuous improvement by offering expanded professional development, asserting leadership in instructional strategies, identifying contact points to interact with fellow educators, and sharing our best practices with national audiences. ASMSA’s enabling legislation previously prevented faculty from holding rank. With the passage of Act 354 of 2021 by the Arkansas General Assembly, campus stakeholders were able to begin development of a framework for advancement consistent with institutional values and needs. The plan creates a pathway for eligible ASMSA faculty to receive either a $5,000 or $10,000 base increase to their current salary. A copy of the framework as well as the rubric for advancement are attached to this report.
ASMSA Wins Governor’s All-State Coding Competition The team from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts won the Governor’s All-State Coding Competition held April 30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. ASMSA took top honors among the 17 teams participating in this year’s state competition. The team—comprised of seniors Trey Clark of Harrison and Joshua Stallings of Little Rock and junior Robert Boerwinkle of El Dorado— qualified for the competition earlier this year through a regional competition. In the contest, teams work to solve various coding problems based on various scenarios. Each problem receives a score, and in the event of a tie, the amount of time used to answer the questions is used, with the team entering the most correct answers in the least amount of time earning the advantage. Each member of the winning team received a $2,000 award to be deposited into a 539 College Savings Plan. ASMSA also will receive $10,000 to support its computer science program for the team winning first place. The prizes were provided by a grant from ARCodeKids. Computer Science instructor Nicholas Seward serves as the team’s coach. Instructor’s Work Debuts at ASO Concert The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra recently debuted a new work by Dr. Thomas Dempster, a music instructor at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts. Members of the ASO performed “Canticle of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini” during the March 1 River Rhapsodies concert at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. The series presents collections of chamber pieces that demonstrate the versatility of the performers beyond the orchestral stage. The piece was composed for a septet consisting of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola and cello. The piece honors Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, an Italian-born nun who started her own order and came to the United States at the end of the 19th century to build schools, hospitals and orphanages initially for Italian immigrants, but later for all immigrants, Dempster said. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen and was eventually canonized as the first saint from the United States. She is the patron saint of immigrants as well as hospital workers and administrators. Dempster began composing the work around January 2020 at the request and commission from Susan Bell Leon, the principal bassoonist in the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Dempster has served as a longtime substitute bassoonist for the ASO. The work was initially supposed to be performed in February 2021, but the premiere was pushed back a year as the COVID-19 pandemic began forcing organizations to cancel events. Director of Admissions Search In March, Charlie Feick announced that ze would be stepping down as Director of Admissions at the end of June. ASMSA is greatly appreciative of zer efforts over the past few years to move ASMSA’s enrollment management initiatives forward. In that time, we have seen a successful launch of the sophomore Early Entrance pilot program. Our approach to reaching a statewide audience has evolved tremendously through innovations in technology and access amid the pandemic. Next year’s HELIX Prep Academy cohort appears to present an opportunity to further expand points of entry for racially, economically, and geographically diverse students on
campus as well. A national search was conducted that failed to yield a successful candidate for the position. The school is currently considering options for how best to proceed for the year ahead. Chambers Re-Appointed to Board of Visitors Mary Alice Chambers of North Little Rock has been re-appointed by Governor Hutchinson to a seven-year term on the Board of Visitors through January 2029. Chambers previous served as an adjunct music instructor at ASMSA for several years as well as member of the Student Life Staff. Ms. Chambers was initially appointed to fill the remaining term of alumna Anne Xu. Commencement Reminders ASMSA’s Commencement ceremony will be held at 2pm on Saturday, May 21st, at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs. With easing of COVID-19 restrictions there are no restrictions on guests neither will tickets been required. State Representative Les Warren of Hot Springs will serve as the Commencement Speaker. In additional to his advocacy for the school as a member of the Arkansas General Assembly, Warren has also served as a member of the ASMSA Foundation Fund Board of Ambassadors. SGA President Claire Green and Sidney Hansberry will be the featured student speakers.
Challenge Success – Stanford Surveys of School Experiences: Student Version – Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts Winter/Spring 2022 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT SURVEY BACKGROUND The Challenge Success – Stanford Surveys of School Experiences are online surveys that ask students and parents to give their perspectives on a variety of areas related to their school lives. These areas include: perspectives on homework, extracurricular activities, free time, sleep, physical health, stress related to school and academics, cheating, academic engagement, teacher support, and parent expectations. The results of the student survey are intended to help your school identify students’ perspectives on what the school currently does well, as well as areas for growth. The data and findings can be useful tools in guiding practice and policy changes. ASMSA students took the Student Survey in April 2022. Approximately 161 students completed the high school survey. Parents were given the opportunity to opt their children out of the survey and students were asked to give their assent in order to take the survey. Student responses are confidential; students were not asked for their names, birthdates, or identification numbers. This report highlights a few key findings. The full results are available in your school’s dashboard. We encourage sharing this executive summary report with key stakeholders across your school community.
KEY FINDINGS School Perception » » »
“Difficult or Stressful” used by 49% of students, is the most common category of words students use to describe ASMSA. The next most common categories are “Challenging or Rigorous” and “Interesting or Engaging,” used by 40% and 13% of students, respectively. 82% of students say they have an adult they can go to if they have a personal problem. The most common major source of stress students experience is “Overall workload and homework” (71% of students). Other sources of stress reported by half or more of students are “Grades, tests, quizzes, finals, or other assessments” (69%), “Your future plans” (60%), “Lack of sleep” (58%), “College/University” (57%), “Mental health issues” (55%), “Procrastination or time management” (54%), “A lack of time to play, relax, or be with friends and family” (54%), and “A specific class or classes” (52%).
Workload and Engagement » »
Students report doing an average of 3.5 hours of homework per week night, and 2.9 hours per weekend. 62% of students feel that they have “too much” homework. 41% of students are Doing School, meaning they “often” or “always” do their work, but “rarely” or “never” value it or enjoy it. An additional 35% are Purposefully Engaged, meaning they “often” or “always” do their work, and value it, but “rarely” or “never” enjoy it. 14% of students are Fully Engaged, meaning they “often” or “always” do their work, enjoy it, and value it. 4% of students are Disengaged, meaning they neither do, enjoy, nor find value in their schoolwork. 5% fall into other patterns of engagement.
Sleep »
Students report getting an average of 6.5 hours of sleep per weeknight.
ASMSA FACULTY ADVANCEMENT PLAN PROPOSAL DRAFT - April 2022 Purpose: Because it is in the best interest of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA) and its students to have a highly-skilled and motivated faculty that consistently seeks out professional development and growth, ASMSA’s Governing Council has worked with campus leadership to propose this Faculty Advancement Plan. Faculty engagement and excellence should be encouraged by rewarding dedicated faculty for their hard work, skillful pedagogy, as well as service to the institution, their field, and the community. As described in ASMSA’s 2025 Strategic Plan, this proposal focuses on faculty growth and continuous improvement by offering expanded professional development, asserting leadership in instructional strategies, identifying contact points to interact with fellow educators, and sharing our best practices with national audiences. ASMSA’s enabling legislation previously prevented faculty from holding rank. With the passage of Act 354 of 2021 by the Arkansas General Assembly, campus stakeholders were able to begin development of a framework for advancement consistent with institutional values and needs. This plan is designed to empower faculty to reach their full potential through goal-setting and recognition of excellence. In addition to developing depth within their content area, it emphasizes breadth and balance across three domains of academic, service, and professional achievements. It is framed by a promotion scale, including a new title and salary increase at each new rank. This plan will result in salaries that are more competitive with local school districts, top-performing districts throughout Arkansas, as well as peers throughout higher education in Arkansas. Participation in the following advancement plan is voluntary for faculty members. Non-participation will have no adverse effect on any faculty member’s employment status and may not be used as punishment. Faculty will continue to participate and must achieve appropriate performance levels through the annual institutional evaluation of all employees. The purpose of the plan is to encourage faculty members to go above and beyond what is already required for employment at ASMSA as noted in the Employee Handbook as well as the Faculty Supplement and to reward this commitment. Benefits: To institution: ASMSA itself will benefit in multiple ways. First, the new Faculty Advancement Plan will be a significant tool to improve recruitment and retention of high-quality faculty. Beyond those goals, it will also be a key tool to encourage development and improvement of existing faculty, increasing both their skills and value to the school. Finally, by providing opportunities for
advancement, it will significantly improve the level of innovation, effectiveness, and dedication of faculty members to enhancing student learning by adapting novel engagement, individualized inquiry, and creative problem-solving technologies and techniques. Though faculty at ASMSA already rise above the level of many educators in their field, the process of faculty advancement will stave off stagnation through the incentives described below. To students: Students will particularly benefit from this advancement plan because it is focused on encouraging faculty growth and achievement throughout the instructor’s career. If we desire to encourage and develop a growth mindset in each of our students, faculty members will help lead the charge by demonstrating their own growth mindsets. Moreover, a faculty that is consistently focused on improving itself will be one that has fresh pedagogy and is in tune with current intellectual trends within specific disciplines, which will therefore benefit students by improved classroom instruction. This plan also emphasizes faculty mentorship of academic and extracurricular pursuits, likely leading to student awards and achievements, thereby increasing student eligibility for scholarships and expanding their opportunities for success. Finally, because the following advancement plan encourages service to the institution, students will benefit from a faculty more motivated to be involved in student activities. To community: ASMSA already engages in a number of projects that connect us to our fellow citizens and that foster intellectual and cultural interaction; however, as a campus, we continually seek additional opportunities to expand our impact and inspire innovation and creativity. A faculty member who is encouraged to engage in such community partnerships as part of advancement opportunity will be motivated to make even more and deeper connections to the benefit of all involved. Doing so will expand ASMSA’s position in the Hot Springs community as a hub for educational discussions, cultural enhancement, intellectual debate, and economic development as described in the 2025 Strategic Plan. Ranks: The advancement plan includes three increasing ranks. Full-time faculty may apply for the next rank any year they have accumulated enough points as outlined in the supplemental rubric (but are not required to apply at any time). ●
Rank 1, “Instructor”: entry-level rank with salary dependent on existing models. The current starting salary for full-time instructors is $47,000 for those possessing a bachelor’s degree, $53,000 for a Master’s degree, and $60,000 for a doctoral degree. This model does not account for years of teaching experience as is common with traditional public school districts.
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Rank 2, “Instructor of Distinction”: eligible any time a faculty member accumulates sufficient number of points (75) and is prepared to submit their materials for review by the September 1st deadline. An instructor who merits the rank of Instructor of Distinction will have consistently demonstrated excellence in teaching, service, and a commitment to professional development as shown on a scored rubric by the requisite number of points over no more than the past 10 years at ASMSA.
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Rank 3, Instructor of Excellence”: eligible any time a faculty member accumulates sufficient number of points (additional 75 points or 110 points if applying for promotion to 3rd rank from 1st) and is prepared to submit their materials for review by the September 1st deadline. An instructor who merits the rank of Instructor of Excellence will have consistently demonstrated excellence in teaching, service, and a commitment to professional development as shown on a scored rubric by the requisite number of points over no more than the past 10 years (as long as points are not counted twice).
At each rank, faculty will receive an increase to their base salary of $5,000. This increase will be separate from other cost of living adjustments, merit-based increases in salary, or for earning an advanced degree in the year advancement is earned. This amount could increase based on a review every 3 years and depending on inflation as well as the budgetary outlook of the institution. Faculty remain at-will employees of ASMSA regardless of rank. Process: Each year, faculty participate in an evaluation process guided by their supervisors, reflect on their progress and professional goals, and set new goals for the coming year. The proposed advancement process will operate in addition to that annual review. To be considered for advancement, faculty will submit a reflective narrative of at least five single-spaced pages, an updated curriculum vitae/resume, and score themselves on the provided rubric, including links to evidence where necessary. This package will summarize their accomplishments, institutional service, community engagement, professional development, and other ways they excel as educators and in their field. As such, the submitted materials have a dual purpose of both justifying faculty advancement and also highlighting exceptional performance by faculty during their time at ASMSA. Moreover, documentation serves to provide additional research and examples for institutional accreditation and other requests for insights into ASMSA’s innovative practices. Faculty are advised to update their curriculum vitae/resume throughout each year and may have yearly check-ins with their Associate Dean and/or the Dean of Academic Affairs, but the full application with narrative and rubric will only be required for review at the time of application for advancement.
Application Process Full-time faculty members may apply when they reach eligibility. The primary focus of the application will be to highlight work from no more than the previous 10 years. Faculty members who already have 110 points as defined by the accompanying rubric at ASMSA at the time this advancement plan is implemented may apply for the second rank initially and then for the third rank in the next application cycle or later. Alternatively, there is a pathway to apply for the final rank initially. However, pursuing this option will be more intensive, as it requires a higher score on the rubric than necessary for advancing to the second rank. If the committee deem the application not to reach that level, they will recommend that the individual receive the second rank and reapply for the third rank in a later application cycle. Competencies and Achievements Evaluated There will be no automatic advancement based on longevity. Instead, faculty will be evaluated in the following domains, with personal weighting according to the candidate’s job responsibilities. For example, those whose primary responsibilities are with students in the classroom will submit a different subset of evidence of professional development, excellence, and advancement than those in outreach programs or in partial leadership positions. Though successful applications will include evidence in each domain, they do not necessarily need to include evidence of each bullet point below. Moreover, the following points are not the only categories that will count as proof for meeting advancement requirements. Instead, the subsequent list shows potential avenues for demonstrating high achievement. Further, the rubric contains additional examples, which are not exhaustive, for the categories listed below. There is also a process for individuals and instructional leaders to add to the rubric by submitting proposals about additional categories or examples to the committee for approval and inclusion. 1. Academic Domain a. Teaching Effectiveness i. Novel Courses and Programs ii. Video Demonstrations iii. Sample Lesson Plans with Reflection iv. Student Evaluations of Faculty v. Letters of Support vi. Small Groups or Ensembles b. Classroom Innovations i. Focusing on Students' Social and Emotional Learning (SELs) ii. Providing a Nurturing Environment iii. Ensuring Access for Low-income, Rural, and First-Generation College Students iv. Developing Engagement Tools v. Incorporating Novel Technologies
vi. Designing Units of Inquiry and Discovery vii. Curricular/Pedagogical Improvement viii. Musical Arrangements/Compositions c. Student Achievements i. Student published work ii. Significant Student Learning iii. Outstanding Student Awards 2. Service Domain a. Study Abroad/Field Trips i. Leading Abroad or Hosting at ASMSA ii. External Student Collaborations iii. Extra Field Trips b. Co- and Extracurricular Activities i. Co-curricular Student Competitions ii. Extracurricular Student Competitions iii. Student Clubs and Activities iv. Recruiting Events for ASMSA Students c. Institutional Activities i. Extra Committees ii. Departmental and Administrative Duties iii. Recruiting Events for Outreach Programs iv. Student Life Contributions v. Campus Beautification and Improvement d. Community Engagement / Outreach i. Local/State Event Contributions ii. ASMSA Outreach Endeavors iii. Community Leadership Roles iv. Professional Development Workshops v. Student Performances and Professional Exhibits vi. Judging External Competitions 3. Professional Domain a. Major Milestones i. Degrees while at ASMSA ii. Certifications iii. State or National Board Positions iv. Advanced Placement Contributions b. Major Awards and Grants i. National ii. State iii. Local iv. Renewals and Reports c. Discipline Contributions
i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.
Academic Literature Contributions Leadership Roles Speaking/Performance/Exhibition Engagements Conference Participation Faculty Collaborations Professional Memberships
Metrics for Evaluation (Rubric) The above competencies will be evaluated using the provided rubric. The rubric includes as objective as possible a set of criteria for advancement, which is especially important for the sake of fairness to faculty and reducing institutional liability in the event a decision of non-advancement is made. Points will be accumulated in each of the three domains listed above (academic, service, and professional) according to a standardized metric. Promotion will be approved if a faculty member meets a certain benchmark of total points across the three categories. While a faculty member will need to accumulate at least a certain baseline number of points in each area to be considered for advancement, it is natural that some faculty members will be stronger in one category or the other, meaning that exceptionalities in one area may outweigh competencies in others in the consideration for promotion and advancement. More specifically, no more than 50% of the points can come from any one of three domains and each domain must be represented by no less than 15% of the total points. Seventy-five (75) points are needed to obtain the second rank and seventy-five (75) points to obtain the third rank after a previous attainment of the second rank. If a faculty member seeks a third rank without first obtaining the second rank, they can do so within the first four years of implementation of this framework as long as they have 110 points total from activities within the previous ten years of application. Evaluation When a faculty member is ready to be considered for advancement and has accumulated the points required for the next rank, they will submit their application materials to the designated Human Resources representative by September 1st. That representative will then forward the entire application to the Faculty Advancement Evaluation Committee. This committee will consist of the ● ● ● ● ●
Dean of Academic Affairs Associate Dean for STEM Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities Director of Human Resources; and Department Chair, Disciplinary Convener, or an appropriate designee from each academic unit as appointed by the Dean of Academic Affairs.
The Associate Dean shall present each candidate for evaluation by the whole committee.
The Faculty Advancement Evaluation Committee will meet at least once per year if there are any candidates for advancement. The committee will have some leeway to set deadlines to ensure the appropriate time to review applicants. Any applicant that misses a deadline for the current year will be evaluated the subsequent school year. After reviewing an application, the Faculty Advancement Evaluation Committee will make a recommendation to the Director concerning the promotion or non-promotion of the applicant. The Director will then verify the committee’s decision and make recommendations in writing to the President of the University of Arkansas System. The promotion is contingent on Board of Trustees approval. The title and salary change for the faculty member will commence at the start of the next academic semester after Board of Trustees approval. Application Format The preferred format for an applicant’s materials will be digital. There is some flexibility about the format this can take but most evidence links (to documents in a Google Drive folder) should be hyperlinked in the rubric. The google drive folder should include the components described below: 1. Rubric for advancement showing the requisite points achieved, hyperlinked supporting materials to confirm items, and attested to by the appropriate Associate Dean. 2. A current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume 3. Faculty reflective narrative self-advocating for advancement and describing the impact of their work toward student achievement, community engagement, and furthering ASMSA’s mission. This will include at minimum a five-page, single spaced document with one page of introduction, three pages describing contribution to each of the three domains, and one page of conclusion and future plans. 4. Any supplemental artifacts (transcripts, certificates, publications, media articles, conference programs, etc.) to demonstrate faculty achievements and competencies hyperlinked within the rubric. Instances of Non-Promotion In the event the Faculty Advancement Evaluation Committee makes a recommendation for non-promotion, it has two primary options. First, if the committee evaluates that the applicant has likely met the requirements for advancement but has not sufficiently demonstrated such, the committee may request additional documentation and artifacts from the applicant to continue review within that application cycle.
Second, if the committee evaluates that the applicant has not met the requirements for advancement and likely will not be able to provide proof of such, the committee will deny the applicant’s petition for advancement. The committee will also provide specific feedback about where the applicant has exceeded and/or met requirements for advancement and where the applicant has not met requirements. A denied applicant will suffer no penalty to employment and may reapply during the subsequent application cycle. Appeal Process If an applicant received a recommendation for non-promotion, but is within 5 points of the minimum point value required, that applicant may submit additional evidence to earn further points to their application within the same application cycle. These additional points may be earned in the time period between the original application’s submission and the re-submission of additional evidence requested by the committee. If an applicant receives a recommendation against promotion and asserts their application was inappropriately evaluated, that faculty member may appeal in writing to the Director of ASMSA. After reviewing the application materials, the Director will schedule a joint discussion with the faculty member, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Director of Human Resources to discuss the original application and appeal. The Director may choose to uphold the Committee's recommendation or may send the application back to the Committee for further review. In the event that the Director upholds the committee recommendation, the decision is final and the candidate may reapply in the next academic year. If the application is returned to the committee for further review, the Director will accept the subsequent recommendation of the committee as final for the cycle. Board of Trustees Approval The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees possesses the authority for promotion of faculty. Faculty recommended for promotion by the advancement committee will be submitted in writing by the ASMSA Director for consideration by the Trustees. The decision of the Trustees is final and is not appealable.
Office of Academic Affairs May 2022 Quarterly Report Stuart Flynn, Dean of Academics During March and April, Covid transmissions declined to levels that allowed us to significantly ease campus restrictions, which included shifting to mask-optional on campus and allowing students to sign-out freely during the week and to return home on weekends. Out of caution, we continue to maintain social distance in all our classrooms, and the Covid workgroup continues to track developments in Arkansas and across the nation as we plan for summer camps and the 2022-23 school year. Since the last virtual progress report on Friday, April 22nd, our Academic Support Staff has focused on students who continue to underperform in select courses, and as we move toward final exams, the Staff will intensify efforts on academic interventions with students who need additional support. By the Numbers • Ten students met requirements to enter the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. • Five students qualified to compete at the FBLA National Conference this June. • A team of four ASMSA students won 1st Place in both the Team Presentation and Test portions of the Arkansas Economics Challenge. • Four students recognized in the National Center for Women and Information Technology Award for Aspirations in Computing. • Eight students selected to the Arkansas Small Band Association All-Star Honor Band. • Three students earned 1st place in the Governor's All State Coding competition. • Five students selected for the 2022 Hot Springs National Park Rotary Scholarship. • Two ASMSA instructors named finalists for the 2022 Arkansas Computer Science Educator of the Year award. Important Upcoming Events On Friday, May 6th, ASMSA will host the 2022 Arts and Humanities Symposium. Last year, we held the event virtually, so this year’s event will be the first in-person Symposium since the first Symposium in 2019. Academic Dead Day is Monday, May 16th, and that same day at 4:00 P.M we will host the 2022 Academic Awards Ceremony in the Creativity and Innovation Complex. Our annual late night breakfast for students will take place at 10:00 P.M. on Monday, May 16th, and final exams run from May 17th-19th. ASMSA’s 2022 commencement ceremony will take place at 2:00 P.M on Saturday, May 21st. New Faculty and Staff We recently completed searches for instructors in Music, Chemistry, and History. We are excited to announce that Dr. Nathan Groot (Music), Dr. Burt Hollandsworth (Chemistry), and 2008 ASMSA alumnus, Dr. Zachary Cowsert (History), will join the ASMSA faculty in August. In addition to faculty searches, we also completed hiring processes for three new administrative positions: Associate Dean for STEM, Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities, and Coordinator of Scholar Development. Beginning in July, long-time Science Department Chairperson, Dr.
Brian Monson, will serve as Associate Dean for STEM; current Music Instructor, Dr. Tom Dempster, will serve as Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities; and current Admissions Recruiter, Adrienne Conley, will serve as Coordinator of Scholar Development. Summer Acceleration Academy ASMSA’s Summer Acceleration Academy will be in session from Monday, June 6th to Friday, July 29th. The Summer Acceleration Academy is fully online, open to any Arkansas high school student interested in progressing with coursework over the summer, and cost-free for families. ASMSA faculty will offer online courses in Geometry, Trigonometry, Computer Science, and Economics/Personal Finance for full, high school credit. These courses are prerequisites for more challenging STEM and AP courses offered at high schools across the state, and students will complete them at an accelerated pace. The courses will include live instruction as well as homework and tasks to be completed outside of class time.
Office of Student Life May 2022 Quarterly Report Rheo Morris, Ph.D., Dean of Students The ASMSA office of Student Life has already started recruitment to fill our vacant positions. We have recently wrapped up SGA elections and Prom and are preparing for closing and graduation. By the Numbers • Counseling data for March o 113 individual therapy sessions o 2 crisis interventions o 9 group therapy sessions • Counseling data for April o 115 individual therapy sessions o 1 crisis interventions o 7 group therapy sessions • 135 students have participated in mental health services since the beginning of the school year. Residential Curriculum The Residential Life staff has continued focusing programming, events, and interactions based on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). The self-management activities included lots of physical activities during this month. There were hikes and walks as well as coordinated workout sessions. There were also dance competitions and other activities that promoted students moving around. Responsible decision-making addressed social media etiquette and ethics. This topic explored using good judgement and polite behavior when posting on social media. It also discussed Cyberbullying, what it was, examples, and how to combat cyberbullying. It encouraged them to examine their personal social action before posting and social media and remembering that they were responsible for their actions. In March the staff placed some focus on celebrating women who we felt have contributed to each student in some meaningful way. They also highlighted Arkansan and Hot Springs women such as Helen Selig who contributed to the Hot Springs community and ASMSA. There were bulletin boards that acknowledged the contributions of women in healthcare, politics, art, and STEM. This topic focused on the social awareness goal. Staffing Challenges We have begun interviews to fill our vacant spots within the department. We have interviewed and hired a Residential Mentor, Destiny Walker who began on March 15 on 2nd Floor Nichols and a Residential Experience Coordinator, Wade Vierheller, who will begin on August 1 on 2nd Floor Faris. There are interviews scheduled for the Assistant Dean position and the Residential
Experience Coordinator positions. There are several qualified Assistant Dean candidates in the pool. Prom and Senior Trip ASMSA held its prom on April 23, in Community and Innovation complex under the theme “Butterfly Garden”. The prom court was named according to native Arkansan butterflies; Viceroys representing the seniors, Admirals representing the juniors, and Swallowtails representing the Sophomores. The winners were voted on by the student body and each person on the court received a sash and a small glass butterfly figurine while the winners received a sash, a large glass butterfly figurine and a crown ad scepter. The Prom ticket included a full buffet meal including appetizers and dessert and a prom keepsake. Prom was followed by “after prom” until 2 am. There were video games, board games, inflatables, snacks and live music by a campus group. On the 27th of April each class left ASMSA on separate trips. The juniors visited Crystal Bridges, the sophomores went to Dave and Busters, and the seniors chose the Memphis Zoo for their senior trip. We wanted to celebrate with the seniors not only their hard work but their perseverance throughout the pandemic so we covered the entire cost of the senior trip. Student Leader Selection Student Leaders have been selected for the 2022-2023 school year. Fourteen rising seniors were selected for the Community Leader position with 12 in the Student Center and two in Selig Hall. Peer Mentors and Student Ambassadors will both have 12 students each while Admissions Delegates have chosen 15 students. Additionally, we are exploring the option of “junior delegates” which will consist of rising juniors who can talk to the sophomore year experience.
Office of Institutional Advancement May 2022 Quarterly Report Sara Brown, Ph.D., CFRE, Director of Institutional Advancement The ASMSA Office of Institutional Advancement is excited to host in person events. After two years of virtual events, we held our annual Community of Learning Luncheon event on April 29, 2022. We will host an Alumni Weekend & 20-year reunion on May 6-8, 2022. In addition, we continue to work with external stakeholders through grant opportunities that support ASMSA programs and students. By the Numbers ● The University of Arkansas Foundation, Inc. Statement of Activities Report for fiscal year 2022 (7/1/21 through 05/02/22) includes total gifts received of $101,718, total interest received of $8,272, and a total expense of $44,782. ● The ASMSA Community of Learning Luncheon and Day of Giving raised approximately $20,000. ● Received the Toshiba Foundation grant for $4,500. Toshiba America Foundation Grant In April 2022, we received a $4,500 grant from the Toshiba Foundation to support student equipment and resources for the Research in the Park and BoZo Club projects. Toshiba America Foundation’s grants fund projects designed by individual classroom teachers. This “direct-toteacher” approach brings immediate results. Teachers are able to change the way they teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects because the grant supports equipment for hands-on experiments and inquiry-based approaches to the curriculum. 2022 Community of Learning Luncheon The annual Community of Learning Luncheon was held on April 29, 2022. After shifting to a virtual day of giving for the last two years, we enjoyed hosting the in-person luncheon to celebrate our student and program accomplishments as well as share information about our HELIX program. The event had 2 visionary speakers: ASMSA Senior Cameryn Berryhill and Alumnus Courtney “CJ” Woods. Through sponsorships, in-person donations/pledges, and an online day of giving, the Foundation raised approximately $20,000. Alumni Weekend The classes of 2000, 2001, and 2002 will have a combined reunion on May 6 - 8. Since the Homecoming weekends had to shift to virtual events the last two years, these classes still wanted to host a 20-year reunion in person. We have 94 people registered to attend the reunion festivities which includes a campus tour and reminiscing in downtown Hot Springs.
Office of Admissions and Outreach May 2022 Quarterly Report Charlie Feick, Director of Admissions The admissions team reviewed application materials throughout the months of March and April. Semifinalists were invited on campus to interview the first two Saturdays in April and were notified of their admission decision the last week of April. The Outreach Coordinator, Amy Brown-Westmoreland, developed the application process for the new Summer Acceleration Academy, led a variety of outreach events, and managed the Summer at ASMSA application process. By the Numbers • 18 students admitted to HELIX Prep Academy • 17 students admitted to the Visual Arts and Design Program of Distinction • Outreach is scheduled to deliver 3 Field Trips to You to schools • Outreach led activities at 3 outreach events throughout the state • Admissions and Outreach attended 2 conferences Outreach Engagement Around the State ASMSA led activities at AGATE’s Family Engagement Day in February, Mid-America Science Museum’s Tinkerfest in April, and UCA’s Girls of Power in STEM in April. Admissions and Outreach also exhibited at the AGATE conference in February, the EAST conference in March, and the Women in STEM conference in April. Outreach has three Field Trip to You scheduled for the month of May. Applicant Pool Update In addition to our existing pathways, we successfully recruited our first cohort for HELIX Prep Academy as well as our first cohort for the Visual Arts and Design Program of Distinction. The fourth cohort of Early Entrance students were also admitted. The first cohort of Early Entrance students will be graduating this month.
Student Government Association May 2022 Quarterly Report Claire Green, SGA president As the school year moves to a close, we in SGA have been talking about some longer-term issues that we don’t necessarily think we can solve in the next few weeks but which most students agree are good ideas that we’d like to help support. Our most recent discussions have centered on how we can move toward greater energy sustainability of the school’s physical plant and how to clarify and codify the school’s commitment to student free speech and expression. Specifically, students in Drs. Dodd and Waddell’s environmental science class approached the General Assembly with some analysis developed in a class project about the time-sensitive opportunities available to move toward solar power. At the same time, the Student Affairs Committee has been focusing on the description of the rules around online free speech as outlined in the student handbook. The current rules are broad and include prohibiting students from annoying other students. We also helped decide the location of the senior class trip. Given several choices which e-board researched, seniors voted overwhelmingly for the Memphis Zoo. We elected new officers, and two of our committees are working together to organize an end-of-year field day. The wellness committee continued its special emphasis on promoting mental health awareness that they have maintained throughout the pandemic. Food committee continued to offer feedback to the cafeteria as the new director and head chef are getting comfortable with us. SGA's inauguration of new officers took place last week. On a personal note, it’s been an honor to represent the student government to you this year! By the Numbers ∙ 87 students voted in the election round 1, 77 students voted in the election round 2. The voting was anonymous and only included juniors and sophomores. We continue to use the instant runoff system of voting for officer elections while we use approval voting for representative elections. ∙ 2 tests. SGA requires candidates for parliamentarian and publicist positions to take knowledge tests. We announce the results of those tests during the candidate forums to help voters make good decisions. ∙ 6 students were elected to student government leadership They are president Talana Small, vice president Chelsea Nwankwo, treasurer Courtland Callis, secretary Beatrice Nkunga, parliamentarian Ai'Yanna Tombs, and publicist: Jiya Patel. All officers must be rising seniors. Wellness Committee: The wellness committee had a successful meditation hiking event, and the committee is currently collaborating with the Activities Committee to plan some physicalfitness-promoting activities at their end-of-year field day. Activities and Finance: The Activities Committee is planning a large end-of-the-year field day. This event will include color wars and hopefully an ice cream truck. Finance Committee recently approved funds for a geo club camping trip to DeGray Lake and drama club props for a performance of the Miss Firecracker Contest. The committee is anticipating that field day will be the last large expense of the year. Student Affairs/Food: Members of the Student Affairs Committee wrote a bill to clarify the language around free speech online as is mentioned in the handbook. Student Affairs also has
legislation in the works to clarify two issues: the role of the Finance Committee in the President's Council, which is a group comprised of all the presidents of ASMSA clubs, and the issue of who can apply to lead a club. The Food Committee is working with the cafeteria staff to develop a better method for keeping track of dietary restrictions and preferences on large field trips.
PAC Committee May 2022 Quarterly Report Traci French, PAC Committee Co-chair By the Numbers • ASMSA has filled multiple open staff positions (chemistry, history, music, development coordinator, 2 new associate deans and has moved to the finalist phase for Director of admissions) • There was 60% student participation in the recent student satisfaction survey Campus Updates: Spring break came and went without a surge in new COVID cases. The student trip to Greece proceeded as planned. SLAMT resumed for the first time in 2 years. A select group of students was able to participate in both state and National science fairs. The end of the school year and accompanying events are rapidly approaching. The updated school calendar for the 22-23 school year was released and is integrated into the app. Fall course registration has started and student room assignments are underway. Acceptance letters for incoming students went out May 1. Prom went well according to everyone involved and the entire student body participated in a day outing sponsored by ASMSA staff on 4/27. Prom week protocols and Commencement FAQs were discussed. The Community of Learning was 4/27/22 with an additional virtual giving opportunity available for donors outside the local area. The Humanities Symposium is scheduled for May 6. There is now a Strategies team in place to intervene at an earlier phase when academic at risk students are identified. Teacher/staff appreciation ideas have been a focus in recent meetings. Traditionally, the PAC provides a meal in May. Parents have been asked to send thank you notes to teachers to add a personal touch in addition to the thank you gift. Work continues on the chapel renovation. Director Alderdice described the new room layout and additional amenities available in the updated space (student union, kitchen, mental health offices, meeting room). A name change is likely for the new facility. There have been staffing changes in food service to improve student satisfaction. Self nominations for PAC committee chair were submitted the last week of April. College Readiness: May 1 is the traditional deadline for college acceptances for high school seniors. Director Alderdice spent considerable time offering strategies for parents to offer constructive advice on college course planning and how to develop a cohesive narrative during a student’s high school career that will translate into improved college acceptance rates.
Association for Alumni & Friends of ASMSA May 2022 Quarterly Report Amy Stvartak (‘11), AAFA Executive Board AAFA has hosted two APS series presentations this quarter, and continues to plan Homecoming as an in-person event for October 7-9, 2022.
Alumni Pathways Speaker Series AAFA was thrilled to be able to host two APS series installments this quarter. Our first presentation was held virtually via Facebook Live on March 10, 2022 at 7pm. Dr. Chris Schilling (class of 1998) spoke about his work with Google as a Software Engineer and his path from ASMS to his doctorate in physics and on to his current position. Our second presentation on April 7, 2022 was the first APS presentation to be held in person. Ms. Jenni Floyd (class of 1997) addressed students on campus and via livestream about her training as a forensic chemist and her work as a Senior Firearm and Toolmark Examiner with the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. Alumni coordinator Robert Bryant coordinated and facilitated this event, providing pizza for attendees. We want to thank Rob for organizing a fantastic first in-person APS event! Finals Week Snack Baskets AAFA plans to again provide students with baskets of snacks to fuel their studying for finals week this month. Rob Bryant and Sara Brown will be working with AAFA volunteers to give each residential floor a basket and an encouraging note from the AAFA team. Homecoming 2022 Homecoming 2022 is planned for October 7-9, 2022. At this stage we still hope to host Homecoming as an in-person event. Invitations will be sent this spring, further plans forthcoming!