Education By Design: Building The Winthrop Experience Presented to The Winthrop University

Education By Design:Building The Winthrop Experience

Presented to

The Winthrop UniversityCampus Community

April 2005

The Vision for Winthrop

Winthrop University will be —

and will be recognized as —

one of the best universities

of its kind.

National Recognitions Earned

Among our national recognitions:

Best Value

http://www.winthrop.edu/usnews.htm


http://www.winthrop.edu/NSSE/default.htm


http://www.collegeandcharacter.org/

National Recognitions Earned:What They Say About Winthrop

Top TenMastersUniversitiesIn Southeastfor more than a decade

The Princeton Review : • “Students at Winthrop achieve academic bliss in disciplines both quantitative and qualitative. This vibrancy extends to the student body, making Winthrop a great choice for students looking to plug into a constantly humming energy level."

• “Classes are small, the school is well run, diverse students interact, intercollegiate sports are popular and students get along with the local community. Students say that faculty and staff ‘love what they are doing and that really rubs off on students.’



National Recognitions Earned:What They Say About Winthrop

Named Winthropas a University

“Where the EducationalDollar Goes

Further”

Top 50 Best Values

Among Public Colleges and Universities

In the U.S.

Best Value

New national recognitions earnedin the past few weeks…

• Collegesofdistinction.com has named Winthrop as one of “America’s best bets in higher education… known for “engaged students, great teaching, a vibrant campus community and successful outcomes.”

• Education Trust singled out Winthrop as a leader “in making the promise of college success a reality for all students, not just for some” by having minority graduation rates that match or exceed overall graduation rates.

• Winthrop will be one of only eight institutions competing for national ‘School of the Year’ honors from the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, after having won South Atlantic regional ‘School of the Year’ honors.

New national recognitions earnedin the past few weeks…

• A team from Winthrop University was chosen as a regional winner of the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) competition and will compete in the National Championship in Kansas City in May; the winner there will advance to the SIFE World Cup in Toronto, Canada, in October.

• Two Winthrop Visual and Performing Arts students were chosen as finalists in the Photographers Forum competition that annually draws 30,000 entries. A Winthrop student has been asked to submit a portfolio of her work for possible inclusion in the Forum’s magazine —an honor restricted to less than 20 students per year.

• Winthrop was one of only 64 institutions represented in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament after compiling the nation’s longest winning streak in 2005.

New national recognitions earnedin the past few months…

• Winthrop was chosen to host NCATE national training for examiners at the College of Education in November 2004.

• With its selection by readers of Campus Activities Magazine as the 2004 “Best Campus Program” in the U.S., Dinkins Student Union Program Board sustained Winthrop’s standing as the ONLY institution to be on the ballot every year since this award was inaugurated in 1995. (Award won previously in 1995 and 2002.)

Key to designing and defining The Winthrop Experience

Campus community contributions to:

• The Vision of Distinction

• The Report of the Task Force on the Nature and Character of the University

• A New Approach to General Education

• The Creation of University College

Defining The Winthrop Experience:What We Promise Students and Families

“ As a predominantly residential learning university, Winthrop focuses on fully engaging students in developing the capacity to become leaders in their professions and leaders in their communities. Over their years of undergraduate study, Winthrop students have the opportunity to participate in a highly personalized, engaging and progressively developmental series of experiences that will build within them the capacity to read, write and think about themselves and the world around them in ever more meaningful and purpose-driven ways, both personally and professionally.

Defining The Winthrop Experience:What We Promise Students and Families

“At Winthrop, a high-achieving, diverse student body interacts with talented, national-caliber faculty and staff in ways intentionally designed to prompt thought, reflection and a life-long quest for knowledge and understanding. Conversations that begin in classrooms extend across the campus community, complemented by an extraordinary range of cultural events, service-learning activities, guided research and other transformational opportunities.”

That is The Winthrop Experience.

Winthrop’s Promise: A new paradigm for planning

The Winthrop Experience:

Live.Learn.Lead.


Live.Learn.Lead.

Key Elements of the Winthrop Experience =Key Elements of the Winthrop Promise

• Predominantly residential setting = LIVING

• Focus on fully engaging students = LIVING and LEARNING

• Highly personalized, engaging and progressively developmental series of experiences = LIVING and LEARNING

• The capacity to read, write and think about themselves and the world around them = LIVING and LEARNING

• Developing the capacity to become leaders in their professions and leaders in their communities = LEADING

The Winthrop Experience:Live. Learn. Lead.

_____

Living at Winthrop______


Live. Learn. Lead.

The Winthrop Living Community: 2004-2005 Update

• The first phase of a plan to make the residential campus learning communities more personal, engaging and intentionally developmental was implemented.

• Two freshman honors and four ACAD 101 “Learning for Life” floors were established in Wofford and Richardson, with the following special programming:

•Thursday Evening Study Session• Bi-weekly Meal Meetings • Writing Center Outreach• Special Study Lounges


Live. Learn. Lead.

2004-2005 Updates continued:

• A comprehensive housing study was done by consultants to identify service and program enhancements that will encourage retention of freshmen as on-campus residents as sophomores.

• The first year of The Winthrop Experience was declared to be ‘residential by definition’ beginning Fall 2005 unless a student is married or lives with parents within 50 miles of campus.


Live. Learn. Lead.

Ahead in 2005-2006:

• Implement plan to define the Winthrop Experience as residential by definition for virtually all first-year students beginning in Fall 2005, while creating options for continued living/learning experiences through subsequent years of study.

• Increase number of academic success communities from 6 to 16.

• Enhance residential amenities:• Establish new student parking categories: resident, commuter, and Courtyard parking lots, with core student parking reserved for residents and commuters to use periphery lots.• Free laundry to be offered all residents. • A free movie channel will offer 16 new DVD released movies per month on a dedicated closed circuit TV channel, along with educational programming that will commence Fall 05.• More flexible new meal plan options.


Live. Learn. Lead.

• Consider implementation of recommendations for a new tobacco use policy that will limit exposure to second-hand smoke. Proposed language: “Smoking is permitted on campus grounds provided that it occurs beyond 50 feet of any building entrance or in the external designated smoking areas.”

• Design and complete initial construction of two dedicated fields for general student recreational sports at the Farm will be completed.

• Complete physical programming plans for the new Campus Center.

• Develop a student portal to transform how and where students find information on the web site, including campus calendars and events information, so that upcoming programming/activities will be available at a glance to the campus community.

In 2005-2006 continued:


Live. Learn. Lead.

All campus residential settings will be recognized as active, supportive, and exciting places to live and learn through community development, formal and informal programs and activities, and Academic Success Communities.

• Academic Success Communities will be designed by full time professional residential learning coordinators that provide a logical student development progression starting from first year transitions to sustaining directions culminating in capstone experiences.

• Theme floors options for students of like majors or interests will increase residents’ interaction with their faculty, encourage peer interactions and community development, and provide residents with academic assistance on a ‘house call’ basis -- all leading to academic success.

Next Horizons

• Academic Success Communities as future ‘affinity groups’

• Other activities that encourage engaged alumni through The Winthrop Experience

Implications of The Winthrop ExperienceFor Other Areas

Alumni-building:


_____Learning at Winthrop

______


Live. Learn. Lead.

Enhancing the Winthrop Academic Community2004-2005 Updates:

• Trained 51 persons to teach Gen Ed 102. During Fall Semester 2004 there were 11 sections taught and for Spring 2005 there are 45 sections.

• Incorporated a ‘common book’ into ACAD 101 (“Into the Wild,” by Jon Krakauer.)

• The English Department continues to prepare to offer the full complement of CRTW (Critical Reading, Thinking and Writing) courses needed in the 2005-06 academic year.


Live. Learn. Lead.


• Increased minimum academic standing grade point averages for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors were put into place December 2004. Freshmen are now required to earn at least a cumulative 1.75,

sophomores 1.85, and juniors 2.0. Seniors continue to be required to maintain a 2.0.

• Took steps toward implementing the new commencement participation policy, where only those that complete all degree

requirements will be allowed to participate, December 2005.

• Increased emphasis on and support for research with students as co-investigators by:

• establishing a $10,000 annual account for travel in support of student research presentations and performances. During Fall 2004 18 awards were made.


Live. Learn. Lead.


• Used Academic Endowment Incentive funds ($47,000 in state funds granted on basis of support to Winthrop Foundation) to

supplement university allocations to Research Council grant program:

• For 2004-2005 research projects with students as co-investigators • For 2004-2005 curriculum improvement research

• Created the Social and Behavioral Science Research Lab offering students opportunities to do survey research in a fully automated survey research center with CATI (computer aided telephone interviewing) capability, such as election exit polling local governmental and agency surveys.


Live. Learn. Lead.

• Added the ARTStore database containing 600,000 on-line images to Dacus Library, allowing researchers to access work embraces architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, decorative arts, and design from cultures and eras.

• Added an Executive in Residence program in the College of Business Administration and a student professional development activity as a culminating event for majors.

• Completed basic installation of wetlands classroom and construction of outdoor classroom.

• Gained approval by the American Chemical Society for the Chemistry program, and initial accreditation for the Athletic Training and Sport Management programs, with Computer Sciences re-accreditation in process and on track for finalization in Summer 05.

2004-2005 Updates:


Live. Learn. Lead.


• Enhanced initiatives to take Winthrop to the world and bring the world to Winthrop:

• A Winthrop team traveled to China in Fall 2004 to expand exchange opportunities with Shanghai International Studies University. Exchange agreements have been updated and renewed and new ones created in broaden opportunities for all majors Winthrop offers.

• The Teaching Fellows summer service trip was to the Dominican Republic, keying on preparing students to understand native culture of ESL students often in today’s K-12 classrooms.

• Increased enrollment of international students despite national trend of decline.


Live. Learn. Lead.

Ahead in 2005-2006 :

• Offer the full complement of CRTW (Critical Reading, Thinking and Writing) courses needed in the 2005-06 academic year. (NOTE: The 2004-05 freshmen class will be the initial student cohort to experience the entire new general education program.)

• Discuss and develop recommendations on how to communicate to students and the public the foundational importance of and rigorous expectations embedded in Winthrop’s approach to general education requirements.

• Offer the newly approved Master of Social Work degree beginning Fall 2006.


Live. Learn. Lead.

Ahead in 2005-2006:

• Continue design and planning for a new Winthrop library and development of a case statement for external support.

• Continue to promote access to the resources of PASCAL, the statewide digital library, internally while making case for

continued state investment in the statewide library project.

• Introduce the 2005 Common Book, “A Hope in the Unseen,” tied to an array of events, speakers and outreach activities that provide opportunities to the region’s public to be involved with Winthrop.


Live. Learn. Lead.

Next Horizons

Winthrop will be recognized and set apart from its public peer institutions for its distinctive first-year program and distinctive honors program as evidenced by:

Continuous improvement in ACAD 101 Continuous improvement and growth in the Honors

Program Increased participation in study abroad and other

programs of the International Center Increased opportunities for meaningful civic

engagement and leadership development


Live. Learn. Lead.

Next Horizons

Winthrop will be recognized and set apart from its public peer institutions for offering the highest level of academic challenge available with concomitant student success as evidenced by the following outcomes:

• Increased level of academic challenge and higher order cognitive tasks across the curriculum

• Increased year-to-year retention and improved four- and five-year graduation rates

• Improved performance of students on various indicators including exit exams, GRE, professional school admissions tests, etc.


_____

Leading at Winthrop____


Live. Learn. Lead.

2004-2005 Update on Leadership – Curricular Activities

• Developed an offering to undergraduates in Spring 05 the first dedicated 3-credit leadership studies course titled “Introduction to Peer Leadership” for undergraduates.

• Expanded The Peer Mentoring Program 100% so each section of ACAD 101, “Principles of the Learning Academy,” had a peer mentor in addition to the regular instructor.


Live. Learn. Lead.

Ahead in 2005-2006 – Curricular continued:

• Task force will be created to enhance the quality and value of the Winthrop Experience by integrating and expanding student opportunities for civic engagement, leadership studies, and service learning as graduating students prepare for careers or further study.

• An outline will be created to guide development of afull-fledged signature leadership program to include academic perspectives and experiential elements drawn from the disciplines of business, education, science, philosophy, and ethics.


Live. Learn. Lead.

NEXT HORIZONS:

• The Winthrop Experience will be nationally recognized as providing a wide array of integrated student opportunities for civic engagement, leadership studies, and service learning through credit-bearing courses and experiences that prepare students to become leaders in their careers or in advanced study and leaders of their respective communities.

• An opportunity for receiving a Winthrop University undergraduate degree with a formal distinction in leadership studies will be in place.

Implications of The Winthrop ExperienceFor Other Areas

Recruitment :• Recruiting faculty and staff who want to join a distinctive, national-caliber learning community

• Recruiting students who want to join a distinctive, national caliber learning community

Recruiting Faculty and Staff =Building the Winthrop Learning Community

“Winthrop is seeking faculty who want student learning and development to be their

primary professional responsibility and who would like to be part of a community

committed to learning as our central activity, with student learning at its heart.”

-- Web site statement from Tom Moore, Vice President For Academic Affairs

• Implemented salary component of Quality Enhancement Initiative resulting in improved leadership position among SC institutions

• Developed and implemented a new summer salary policy in Summer 2004.

• Established staff orientation and broadened professional developmentopportunities to enhance knowledge base and retention

2004-2005 Updates:

Recruiting students =Building the Winthrop academic community

Winthrop is now telling the story of The Winthrop Experience to a larger group of prospective students than ever before. Our goals include:

• Increasing the applicant pool.• Increasing the academic profile and selectivity rating of

applicants.• Allowing increased flexibility in determining the size of

the freshman class.• Ensuring that Winthrop remains an inclusive community.• Expanding the presence of international students.• Maintaining an in-state percentage of no less than 75%

of the undergraduate student body. • Increasing rates of retention and timely degree

attainment.

The Vision for Winthrop

Winthrop University will be— and will be recognized as— one of the best universities

of its kind.

NEXT:

The Winthrop Experience:Live.

Learn.Lead.

The Winthrop Experience:Live.

Learn.Lead.

Next: Planning and building our facilities and our campus environs

Education By Design: Building The Winthrop Experience Presented to The Winthrop University

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