Image result for new coastal bend college logo

 

 

Substantive Change Prospectus: Business Management Program

 

 

 

Submitted to: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

 

 

 

Prepared by: Coastal Bend College

 

 

 

April 2018



Cover for Submission



 

Point of Contact for Prospectus

Miguel Aguilar

Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation

(361) 354-2718

maguilar@coastalbend.edu

List of Existing Approved Off-Campus Sites

 

Site Name

Address

Coastal Bend College, Alice

704 Coyote Trail, Alice, TX 78332

Coastal Bend College, Kingsville

1814 Brahma Blvd., Kingsville, TX 78363

Coastal Bend College, Pleasanton

1411 Bensdale, Pleasanton, TX 78064

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.      ABSTRACT

 

2.      BACKGROUND INFORMATION

 

3.      ASSESSMENT OF NEED AND PROGRAM PLANNING

 

4.      DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE

 

5.      FACULTY QUALIFICATIONS

 

6.      LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES

 

7.      STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

 

8.      PHYSICAL RESOURCES

 

9.      FINANCIAL SUPPORT

 

10.  EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT

 

1.      ABSTRACT

Coastal Bend College (CBC) is seeking approval to offer the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) Degree and Level I Certificate in Business Management for the upcoming spring 2019 semester. The program will be offered at each CBC location throughout the College District and will be available to students who meet the college admission requirements [1]. CBC is prepared to offer the Business Management program as early as January 1, 2019 to meet the needs of students enrolling Spring 2019. Courses will be offered to students in four primary modalities: face-to-face, distance learning, hybrid, and online.  During the first year, the college anticipates 30 students enrolling into the business management program.

 

CBC Campus/Site

Address

Alice Site

704 Coyote Trail, Alice, TX 78332

Beeville Campus

3800 Charco Rd., Beeville, TX 78102

Kingsville Site

1814 Brahma Blvd., Kingsville, TX 78363

Pleasanton Site

1411 Bensdale, Pleasanton, TX 78064

 

 

Institutional Strengths

1.       CBC has been a member of the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network since 2004 and a Leader College since 2009.

2.       Institutional Planning and Budgeting Cycle is aligned.

3.       Highly qualified and experienced faculty and staff members

4.       Provides professional development training for faculty and staff members.

5.       Information Technology support is available.

6.       Long and healthy history of dual enrollment course offerings across the college’s service area.

7.       Student support services is available to all students.

Abstract- Supporting Documentation

[1] Admission Requirements

 

Table of Contents

 

2.      BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Coastal Bend College formerly known as “Bee County College”, from 1965, its founding year, through 1998, when the state legislature changed service areas from recognized two-year colleges in the state of Texas. It was then that the Board of Trustees changed the name to Coastal Bend College to be more reflective of the nine-counties it represents. CBC is currently designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The College Mission statement, approved fall 2016, follows:

 

“Coastal Bend College is a student-centered community college committed to delivering superb educational and life enriching opportunities to its students and the communities it serves.” [2]

 

The College District’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) were developed with student success as the primary focus. The heart of Coastal Bend College STUDENT SUCCESS.CBC’s strategic plan [3], “Vision 2020 Keeping Student Success in Sight” focuses on improving four strategic directions: instructional programs, support services, community relations, and stewardship of public and private resources. Vision 2020’s student related KPI’s are student persistence, course success, retention, and graduation/completion [4].

To meet the KPI targets in Vision 2020, the College District developed system-wide initiatives such as:

·         Mandatory student orientation

·         Dedicated advising

·         EDUC 1300. a learning frameworks course for first-time in college students

·         Periodic grade reporting of three times throughout the traditional semester

·         Entry level awards starting with Marketable Skill Achievement

CBC’s Vision 2020 Strategic Goals [3]

Strategic Goals

Goal 1: Coastal Bend College will offer a quality educational experience for all students.

Goal 2: Coastal Bend College will provide comprehensive student services to increase overall student success.

Goal 3: Coastal Bend College will engage students and staff in support of our communities.

Goal 4: Coastal Bend College will effectively and efficiently use resources to benefit our students.

The proposed Business Management program aligns with strategic goals 1 and 3 in that it supports educational opportunities for students to earn an associate degree or certificate in a seamless pathway. The pathways provide multiple entry and exit points for students, so they can transfer to a four-year institution or enter the workforce, or both, depending on his or her individual needs. Strategic goals 2 and 4 facilitate partnerships with four-year institutions as well as business and industry. These partnerships have resulted in multiple articulation agreements and external learning experiences such as internships and practicum. [5]

Background-Supporting Documentation

[2] CBC Mission Statement-Board Approval

[3] CBC Vision 2020 Goals

[4] Key Performance Indicators

[5] University of Houston-Victoria and Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi Transfer Guides

 

Table of Contents

3. ASSESSMENT OF NEED AND PROGRAM PLANNING

The proposed A.A.S and Level I Certificate in Business Management is designed to educate and prepare students for careers in business and financial management positions. According to the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [6] , there is projected to be 878,300 new jobs available in Management and 750,400 in Business and Financial Operations by 2026 with median salary earnings of $100,790 and $66,530. The Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend, on their 2016-17 Targeted Occupations List, reports there are 1,706 jobs available for Accountants and Auditors with a median hourly wage of $26.18 and growing[7]. Workforce Solutions Alamo shows a median wage of $30.87 with a projected increase of 26.00% (11,130 jobs) between 2014 and 2024 for Accountants and Auditors [8].

 

Determination of Need

On April 23, 2015, members of the Accounting Advisory Committee expressed a need for a program that offered courses in entrepreneurship to meet the workforce demand in business and industry [9]. In this meeting it became evident that the needs of local businesses were not being met. There was not a college or university within a 50 mile radius from the Beeville Campus that offered a Business Management Program [10]. CBC faculty and staff worked with the business community to solicit input on developing a curriculum, mission statement, and student learning outcomes for the program. The proposal was then presented to the College District Curriculum Committee which they approved on December 2, 2016. [11].The CBC Board of Trustees [12]  approved the program on June 20, 2017 and in December, 2017, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) approved the A.A.S and Level I Certificate program in Business Management [13].

 

Assessment of Need-Supporting Documentation

[6] BLS Career Outlook Occupational Projections

[7] 2016-2017 Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend Target Occupations List

[8] 2017 Workforce Solutions Alamo Targeted & Demand Occupations List

[9]Advisory Committee Minutes-Program Request

[10] Business Management Program Over 50 Mile Radius

[11]Curriculum Committee Minutes-Approval

[12] Board Minutes-A.A.S Business Management

[13] THECB Approval Letter

 

Table of Contents

 

4. DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE

The proposed change adds the A.A.S and Level I Certificate in Business Management [14]. The A.A.S and Level I consist of Workforce and Academic courses that have been validated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board through the Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) [15] and the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) [16].

 

To ensure that program graduates have sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities in the workplace, the following program outcomes are linked to the Business Management curriculum:

 

·         Critical Thinking Skills such as creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information;

·         Communication Skills which include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication;

·         Empirical and Quantitative Skills that include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions;

·         Teamwork Skills includes the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared or goal; 

·         Personal Responsibility Skills such as the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making;

·         Social Responsibility Skills to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

All of the College District’s Student Learning Outcomes, including the Business Management program are assessed using the College’s 5 Column Model Assessment tool [17]. The 5 Column model is part of the annual program review process [18] and is designed to assess student progress toward achieving SLOs as well as implementing changes to improve student learning. Faculty members are provided with an Instructional Assessment Guidebook to assist them with this process [19]. CBC then analyzes the data that pertains to retention/persistence/completion rates, job placement, community outreach, and workforce readiness.

 

Schedule of Proposed Course Offerings

Academic Year: 2018-2019

COURSES

CREDIT HOURS

COURSES

CREDIT HOURS

EDUC 1300 Learning Frames (My Cougar Course) [20]

3

MRKG 1311 Principles of Marketing [31]

3

ENGL 1301 Composition I [21]

 

3

Mathematics (Core Course) (Recommended MATH 1324 Math for Business & Social Sciences) [32]

3

BUSI 1301 Business Principles [22] OR

BUSG 1301 Introduction to Business[23]

3

BUSI 2301 Business Law [33]

OR

BUSG 2305 Business Law/Contracts [34]

3

BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications [24]

3

ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics [35]

3

ACNT 1303 Introduction to Accounting I [25]

3

BMGT 1325 Office Management [36]

 

3

Total hours

15

Total hours

15

 

COURSES

CREDIT HOURS

COURSES

CREDIT HOURS

BMGT 1382 Cooperative Education – Business Administration and Management, General [26]

3

Language, Philosophy and Culture Or Creative Arts  (Core Course) [37]

3

BMGT 2303 Problem Solving and Decision Making * [27]

3

BMGT 2341 Strategic Management *  [38]

3

ECON 2302 Principles of Managerial Accounting [28]

3

BMGT 2310 Financial Management * [39]

3

BMGT 1341 Business Ethics

Course Level: Intermediate [29]

3

 Life and Physical Science (Core Course) [40]

3

BMGT 1327 Principles of Management [30] 

3

Social and Behavioral Science (Core Course) [41] 

3

Total hours

15

Total hours

15

 

Admissions Policy

The College District maintains an open admissions policy to ensure that anyone who can benefit from higher education has an opportunity to do so. The admissions policy and requirements, which apply to both on-campus and off-campus enrollment, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion of disability (FB LOCAL) [42]. Admission requirements are published on the college website [43] and in the 2017-2018 Student Handbook [44].

Graduation Requirements

The 2017-2018 Student Handbook [44] identifies each major field of study, including all program requirements needed for degree/certification completion.   Each student graduating must apply for graduation with an advisor [45]. Graduation requirements can also be located via the CBC website [46].  

 

Administrative Oversight

Administrative oversight of the program is the responsibility of the Program Coordinator, Assistant Dean of Workforce, and Dean of Workforce Training. This administrative oversight structure ensures the quality of the program and the courses offered.

FR 4.9 Compliance

The Coastal Bend College Policy Manual EFA (LEGAL) [47] p. 3, defines the minimum length of courses and contact hours as:Traditionally delivered three-semester-credit-hour courses should contain 15 weeks of instruction and week when final examinations are given” Courses delivered in shortened semesters are expected to have the same number of contact hours and the same requirement for out-of-class learning as courses taught in a standard semester.

 

CBC uses the WECM [16] and ACGM [17] to determine the number of credit hours assigned to each course.  The WECM is Texas' common course numbering system of pre-approved career and technical courses. The ACGM is the official common course numbering system for Texas' academic transfer courses. Both are warehoused on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) website. The CBC semester schedule is based on the information above and resides in the Campus Connect [48] section of the website.

An instructor teaching an on-line or hybrid course uses Blackboard to track student engagement and participation. Blackboard has tracking capabilities that generates a “performance dashboard” for each student. [49] Tracking includes the last date and time accessed and the number of days since the student’s previous log-in.  Instructors are also able to request a course report that lists detailed activity for all students enrolled in that course.  An overall summary of user activity by course for all areas can be extracted that can lists active dates, times and days of week of usage.  Blackboard is also used to track student usage in video conference courses that have an on-line component [50].

Flex Courses

Flex courses are offered in a variety of instructional modalities including: face-to-face, distance learning, hybrid, and online instruction. They typically follow a twelve-week, eight-week, or three-week (minimester) timeframe. [51]

 

Offering Programs via Distance Learning

CBC supports and extends the delivery of academic and workforce instruction to all four sites—Alice, Beeville, Kingsville and Pleasanton.  Courses are taught based on the syllabi posted online. Regardless of instructional modality, all courses meet the same requirements.

CBC Distance Learning programs provide students with various methods of learning.  In addition to the traditional face-to-face, classroom instruction, CBC offers hybrid, video conferencing, and online classes.  By offering these various methods, enrollment increases as the CBC service area expands, especially for students taking online classes.  CBC has increased the ability to access more students than ever with the ongoing catalog expansion of relevant student program offerings.

To accomplish its goal of excellence and consistency in delivery of distance learning programs, CBC contracts with Blackboard [52].  Blackboard offers connectivity and access to students and faculty through its virtual classrooms.

In alignment with, C.S. 3.7.3, CBC faculty who teach via distance learning delivery are required to attend a 3-hour training before the beginning of each semester [53]. The purpose is to provide faculty with the tools needed to use the technology and effectively teach distance learning courses.

 

Technical Support for Students

The Department of Distance Learning provides technical support for all students. This technology training is comprehensive, but the primary areas of focus are access and functionality. As CBC students, Business Management majors also have access to this service. Within the course syllabi, policies and procedures are found for obtaining technical support and for facilitating interaction with faculty who teach via distance learning [54].

Confidential interactions for all courses are secured through an established security system and provide compliance with SACSCOC principles of Accreditation 4.8.1 through 4.8.3. A secure login and passcode are assigned to each student enrolled at CBC regardless of the instructional platform.

 

A screenshot of a social media post

Description generated with very high confidence

Upon instructor request, students are sent to proctored examinations, which require a current picture ID [55]. Blackboard is a secure server [56] and requires the student’s Cougar ID and unique student ID number to login (see image above).   Faculty also use of Respondus Monitor [57] to verify the identity of students during online testing through the learning management system (Blackboard).

A screenshot of a social media post

Description generated with very high confidence

Distance learning students follow the same procedure as the traditional college students when it comes to identity verifications.  The Distance Learning Department standardized a set of procedures to verify that student information, such as student ID numbers, grades, and so on are not given to students via the telephone or email.

Assessment of Need-Supporting Documentation

[14] A.A.S and Level I Certificate Curriculum

[15] Workforce Education Course Manual

[16] Academic Course Guide Manual

[17] CBC 5-Column Model Assessment Examples

[18] CBC Program Review Handbook

[19] CBC Instructional Assessment Handbook

[20] EDUC 1300 Course Syllabus

[21] ENGL 1301 Course Syllabus

[22] BUSI 1301 Course Syllabus

[23] BUSG 1301 Course Syllabus

[24] BCIS 1305 Course Syllabus

[25] ACNT 1303 Course Syllabus

[26] BMGT 1382 Course Syllabus

[27] BMGT 2303 Course Syllabus

[28] ECON 2302 Course Syllabus

[29] BMGT 1341 Course Syllabus

[30] BMGT 1327 Course Syllabus

[31] MRKG 1311 Course Syllabus

[32] College Mathematics Requirement

[33] BUSI 2301 Course Syllabus

[34] BUSG 2305 Course Syllabus

[35] ECON 2301 Course Syllabus

[36] BMGT 1325 Course Syllabus

[37] Language, Philosophy and Culture or Creative Arts Requirement

[38] BMGT 2341 Course Syllabus

[39] BMGT 2310 Course Syllabus

[40] Life and Physical Sciences Requirement

[41] Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement

[42] FB (LOCAL) Admissions

[43] Admission Requirements

[44] 2017-2018 CBC Student Handbook

[45] Graduation Application

[46] CBC Graduation Steps

[47] EFA (LEGAL) Curriculum Design

[48] Campus Connect

[49] Blackboard Performance Dashboard Example

[50] Blackboard User Activity Example

[51] Flex Class Course Offerings

[52] Blackboard Contract

[53] Blackboard Distance Learning Training Certificate

[54] ACCT 2301 Course Syllabus-Technical Support

[55] CBC Testing Procedures

[56] CBC Blackboard Website

[57] Respondus Browser

 

Table of Contents

 

5. FACULTY QUALIFICATIONS

Adequate Faculty Support for the Program and Faculty Roster [58]

Coastal Bend College has an adequate number of qualified, full-time faculty employed to support the mission of the institution and to ensure the quality and integrity of its educational programs. CBC maintains a faculty roster [59] that includes the courses faculty teach, the term, their credentials, and whether they’re full-time/part-time. CBC has 181 faculty teaching, 75% of the semester credit hours taught by full-time faculty, and the student-faculty ratio is 22:1 [60]. Hiring and onboarding processes are the same for on-campus and off-campus faculty members [61] [62]. The Assistant Dean reviews all faculty credentials to ensure that faculty are in accordance with the standards established by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) [63]. Specific qualifications and detailed credentials of all faculty members can be found in the faculty roster and official files for each faculty member in the Human Resources Office [64].

 

Faculty Lead

The Business Management program is being led by Professor Jack Young. Professor Young has been an Instructor with Coastal Bend College for over 17 years. Throughout his career with CBC, he has taught courses in Business Computer Applications [25], Technical Drafting [65], and Business Principles [23]. Professor Young earned a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A) in Business Management with an emphasis in Management and International Business at The University of Houston-Victoria and Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University [66].

 

Professor Young’s teaching experience does not stop with Coastal Bend College. He was also an instructor for The University of Houston-Victoria where he taught undergraduate level courses in Quantitative Management Science and graduate courses in Business Administration and Business Management.

Impact of New Initiative on Faculty Workload

In accordance with CBC Board policy the Vice President of Instruction, in consultation with instructional deans determines the equitable teaching loads for full-time faculty. The load of a full-time faculty member typically consists of 15 credit hours or equivalent per semester. Adjunct faculty is hired on an as needed basis not to exceed 12 credit hours per semester [67]. By using both full-time and part-time faculty, CBC has adequate resources to hire qualified Business Management faculty. With a current full-time faculty member and the availability of three adjunct faculty, the new program is not projected to have an impact on faculty load.

 

Faculty Qualifications-Supporting Documentation

[58] Faculty Roster Form

[59] CBC Faculty Roster

[60] 2017 Texas Public Higher Education Almanac

[61] Interview/Search Committee Website

[62] DC (LOCAL) Employment Practices

[63] CBC Faculty Credential Guidelines

[64] CBC Faculty Credentials Website

[65] DFTG 1305 Course Syllabus

[66] Jack Young Transcript and Faculty Verification Form

[67] DJ (LOCAL) Assignment, Workload, and Schedules

 

Table of Contents

 

6: LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES

Coastal Bend College’s Library provides an educational environment that stimulates leadership, personal growth, and a lifelong appreciation for learning. Resources are available to enhance classroom instruction and meet the needs of students, faculty, staff, and administrators. CBC libraries provide an extensive collection of e-resources including on-line encyclopedias, nationally recognized academic databases with full-text journal articles, and full-text books. The College's collection includes over 80,000 e-books and access to over 40 electronic collections via our online catalog.

 

Online Resources

CBC’s library webpage provides student access to research guides that provide resources in various subjects that include: art, business, criminal justice, dental hygiene, government, nursing, psychology, and sociology [68]. Students in the Business Management program have access to the “The Business Guide”. [69] The Business Guide provides students with resources to assist them with research topics in accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and management and strategy. Other commonly utilized resources include:

·         EBSCOhost eBooks

·         Gale Computer Database and Business Collections

·         Gale Business Insights Global

·         JSTOR Business

·         EBSCOhost Teacher Reference Center 

·         Academic Video Online: Premium

 

Staffing and Support Services

Coastal Bend College has libraries in Beeville, Alice, Kingsville, and Pleasanton. The Beeville library is operated by a circulation manager, a part-time employee, and a part-time work study student.  The Alice and Kingsville libraries share a full-time librarian, and each have a part-time work study student. The three locations have a printed book collection and fully operational student computers to aid any student enrolled in the program.

 

For the Pleasanton site, CBC has a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City of Pleasanton Public Library (CPPL) as of November 2016.  The City of Pleasanton has a certified public librarian who serves CBC students.  The CPPL provides computers, individual/group study rooms, and resource access services for CBC faculty and students at no cost. In addition, the Pleasanton Site houses a part-time work study student to coordinate library services. This ensures that students receive the same library services as the other sites.

 

Students at CBC have access to all printed resources at all campuses via interlibrary loans. Students simply fill in the interlibrary loan request form [68]  online and submit it; the library processes the requests as soon as possible. Students have access to online instruction with either the circulation manager or the full-time librarian through the chat option feature found on the library webpage. The lib-chat operates during regular library business hours. A librarian interacts with students instantly.  Students in any of the CBC programs may also call or text the main library in Beeville and receive help.  Students can also call or meet with a library employee for academic research or to request materials.  There is a library room at the Pleasanton Site where a part-time work study student coordinates the library services to ensure students receive the same library services as the other sites.

 

Training and Assistance

Faculty and students can access library electronic materials on or off-campus [70]. The Beeville Campus library is open from Monday to Thursday: 8am to 6pm, and Friday: 8am to 5pm. Librarians provide workshops on information literacy and library services to faculty, staff, and students at all four CBC sites every semester [71] [72]. In addition, students have access to a welcome video by the CBC library staff that tells them about the resources that each  Library provides [73].  

Access to Other Library Resources

To provide even more comprehensive access, CBC is a member of TexShare [74]. TexShare is a statewide library cooperative that provides innovative strategies to improve resource sharing among Texas Libraries. It provides direct library borrowing from many institutions throughout the state. The list includes the Mary and Jeff Bell Library located at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi [75], James C. Jernigan Library located at Texas A&M – Kingsville. Both universities are large local institutions that serve freshmen through doctoral student. Through Texshare, Del Mar College, a nearby community college, provides acccess to both the William F. White, Jr. Library and Howard E. Barth Learning Resource Center.

 

Library and Learning Resources-Supporting Documentation

[68] CBC Research Guide Website

[69] CBC Business Guide Website

[70] Accessing Online Library Resources

[71] CBC APA Guide Presentation

[72] CBC English Research Database Orientation

[73] CBC Library Welcome Video

[74] TexShare Membership

[75] Reciprocal Agreement with Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

Table of Contents

7: STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Coastal Bend College (CBC) provides students with support services designed to specifically meet their educational needsThe support of students is a collaborative effort between Academic & Workforce Programs and the Student Services Office. Off- campus students can access all student services online or by phone.

 

The Student Services webpage [76] is a key resource for students when seeking information about support programs. The array of programs, services, and activities available to all students fall under the following headings:

·      Admissions [77]

·      Career Development [78] [97] [98]

·      Disability Services [79]

·      Financial Aid [80]

·      Clubs and Organizations [81]

·      Student Development [82]

·      Testing [83]

·      Tutoring [84]

·      Veteran Affairs [85]

 

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center (SSC) serves as a one-stop shop to support student’s transition into college. The center is designed to help students receive assistance in all aspects of the admission & enrollment processes, including advising, assessment, ADA accommodations, career services, tutoring services, and the technology loan program. These services are available to students throughout the college district.

·         Alice Site (SSC) [86]

·         Beeville Campus (SSC) [87]

·         Kingsville Site (SSC) [88]

·         Pleasanton Site (SSC) [89]

·         Virtual (SSC) [90]

 

CBC Smart Start: Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) [91] addresses learning through student orientation, advising, and the learning frameworks course (EDUC 1300). It was carefully designed to promote programmatic changes with the expectation that student learning would be enhanced and student success including grade point average, persistence, retention and graduation/completion rates would also be increased. The (QEP) addresses the Vision 2020 strategic direction by: improving instructional programs; offering student support services such as: tutoring, advising, orientation, and interactions; engaging students and staff in support of College communities by working to nurture positive and productive members of society.

 

Mandatory Student Orientation

As one of the core components of (QEP), new student orientation [92] provides students the opportunity to:

·         Learn about the resources available on campus such as Blackboard, Campus Connect, and CBC Email

·         Register for classes

·         Meet the College President, Faculty, Staff, and current CBC students

·         Tour the campus 

 

Orientation is offered each spring before the fall semester begins at all CBC locations. Workshops are also offered the first two weeks of classes during the fall and spring semesters and an online orientation is also available for all CBC students to access at any time. [93]

 

Dedicated Advising

Coastal Bend College’s case management approach to academic advising [94] emphasizes collaboration between the student and the advisor to develop strategies for educational and personal development. The focal point is student success and the Advising Model paves the way from admission to the attainment of a Marketable Skills Achievement Award, Certificate, and/or Associate's Degree. This assures that our students are afforded the resources that promote academic success and personal growth, as well as social, career, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. An example of a degree plan is attached [95].

 

Career Services

The College District provides comprehensive services in all areas of career advising and assessment, career events and fairs, educational programs, and partnerships with local and state employers [96]. The on campus partnerships with Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend [97] and Workforce Solutions Alamo [98] provide all students with job-search assistance, training, child care support, educational initiatives, and much more.

 

Disability Services

The Disability Services Office (DSO) provides reasonable accommodations that support eligible students with disabilities.  To ensure that best practices are followed, the process to request academic accommodations [99] correlates with the Association on Higher Education  And Disability (AHEAD) organization on “Supporting Accommodation Requests: Guidance on Best Practices 2012” [100]. Reasonable accommodations consist of: assistance with the registration process, testing accommodations (ex: extended testing time, oral testing, distraction free testing environment, readers and/or scribes), and adaptive technology and equipment. At Coastal Bend College, the goal is to create an accessible and effective learning environment where students with disabilities can complete their education and training.

 

Students can access reasonable accommodations by scheduling an appointment with the Disability Services Coordinator [79] at the nearest CBC location.  Appointments may also be coordinated by the student’s Dedicated Advisor or Recruiter/Advisor. For online and dual enrollment students, accommodations may be established via email and face-to-face.

 

Testing

The Testing Center [83] at each CBC location offers a variety of services; TSI (College Placement Exam), correspondence, internet course, makeup, subject course competency exams, and special accommodations for students with disabilities. Off campus and dual enrollment students may access these services by emailing the testing center at testing@coastalbend.edu or calling the appropriate location.

 

Testing Center Hours of Operation by Location

 

CBC Location

Hours of Operation

Staff Members

Alice Site, Room-130

M-F, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Francine Herrera, Part-time Proctor

Juan Cavazos, Part-time Proctor

Beeville Campus, R.W. Dirks Student Services Building, Room 131

M-TH, 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Roberta Kreis, Testing Coordinator

Sandra Mendez, Testing Specialist

Rachel Malone, Part-time Proctor

Kingsville Site, Room 135

Monday, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Anthony Jimenez, Part-Time Proctor

Pleasanton Site, Room:105

Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m.-6:00p.m. and Fridays 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Peggy Meyer, Administrative Support Specialist, Proctor

Sarah Hagerty, Office Clerk

 

Tutoring

CBC offers free tutoring services to all CBC students who need academic assistance through one-on-one, group, and online tutoring [84]. These student services include access to TutorMe [101], a platform for 24-hour online tutoring.

 

Financial Aid

Financial Aid [80] representatives are accessible at each of our CBC locations and can be contacted via online and through telephone. Services offered include: assisting students with applying for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Student Loans, Campus Based Aid, College Work Study, Scholarships and Daycare Assistance.  The Financial Aid Office enhances awareness of financial aid and conducts award aid in an honest, fair, and equitable manner along with administering the Financial Aid Programs to insure compliance with Federal/ State laws and regulations.    

 

Veteran Affairs

The Financial Aid Office provides eligible veterans and dependents with financial assistance and information on Veterans Benefits while they attend Coastal Bend College.  Most often students are eligible for the Hazelwood benefits. Veterans Benefits can be found at the Office of Veterans Affairs. [85]

 

Student Life

Clubs and student organizations [81] are available for all students to join. Each organization is required to have a faculty/exempt-staff advisor and student officers. With the exception of certain honorary societies, clubs and organizations are open for membership to any CBC student. Students can also participate in various organizations such as Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).  Students who meet the academic requirements are eligible to participate in this honor society.

In addition to the many services afforded to students at CBC, students can also participate in student life while enrolled in the Business Management program.  Numerous activities are held throughout the semester which include recreational activities such as pool table, tennis, video games and other activities.  Coastal Bend College participates as a Division I member of the National Junior College Athletic Association with volleyball, soccer, basketball, and softball.  Baseball plays at a Division III level. [102]

 

Campus Safety

The Coastal Bend College District Department of Public Safety [103] (CBC-DPS) is committed to maintaining a safe and secure atmosphere for students, employees, and visitors.  The CBC-DPS is responsible for enforcement, security, and emergency response on campus.  The Coastal Bend College District Department of Public Safety is not a police department, but does employ licensed law enforcement officers to supplement security and crime prevention at all our sites on an as-needed basis. 

 

Student Support Services-Supporting Documentation

[76] Student Services Webpage

[77] CBC Admissions Website

[78] Career Services Website

[79] Disability Services Website

[80] Financial Aid Website

[81] CBC Clubs Website

[82] CBC Student Development Website

[83] Testing Website

[84] Tutoring Website

[85] Veteran Affairs Website

[86] Alice Site Student Success Center Website

[87] Beeville Campus Student Success Center Website

[88] Kingsville Site Student Success Center Website

[89] Pleasanton Site Student Success Center Website

[90] Virtual Student Success Center Website

[91] CBC Smart Start: Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

[92] Mandatory Student Orientation Website

[93] New Student Orientation Agendas

[94] CBC Advising Website

[95]CBC Degree Plan Example

[96] CBC Career Fair Flyers

[97] Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend Website

[98] Workforce Solutions Alamo Website

[99] College Accommodation Request Process

[100] AHEAD Documentation Guidance

[101] TutorMe Website

[102] CBC Athletics Website

[103] CBC Department of Public Safety Website

 

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8: PHYSICAL RESOURCES

Facilities

The College’s four locations provide adequate facilities to support the scope of its programs and services as demonstrated in the documentation below. Beeville is the main campus and has 32 buildings to support its programs and services. Alice contains 60,000 square feet of classroom and office space; Kingsville has over 50,000 and Pleasanton 39,000. Each CBC location was designed to provide instructional and student support services by offering classrooms that could accommodate a minimum of 40 students. Each location has four distance learning video conference rooms that hold an average capacity of 20 and 25 students that are fully equipped with two LED 70" televisions, an instructor computer station, and microphone system. Two of the rooms at each location are fully equipped computer labs that possess state of the art software.

 

CBC’s Master Maintenance Project Rotation List [104] consists of the annual audit and Strategic Priority alignment review for funding requests [105]. Funding requests for technology and technology infrastructure, equipment and facilities are checked for alignment with the College’s Strategic Priorities. Notable maintenance programs currently underway are the Electrical Feasibility Study, the Cougar Center at the Pleasanton Site, Safety Improvement Plan, HVAC upgrades in the Gym, and widescale parking improvements at each of the four locations.

 

Distance Learning

The Distance Learning Department (DL) serves as the central facility for the development, management, and delivery of distance education courses. Training sessions for large groups are conducted in computer labs available in other departments and on other campuses as needed. Help-desk support is also provided to faculty via the CBC Chat feature, email, or telephone [106].

 

Technology Resources

Coastal Bend College has a robust information technology infrastructure that provides both cloud and onsite communications providing access to critical data to support its academic and distance learning program offerings. All Information Technology (IT) services are provided on the IT website [107]. The college maintains a dedicated wireless network throughout each of its four sites and dormitory. Internet wired access is also provided in offices, computer labs, library, and study areas.

CBC’s partnership with Microsoft Office 365 [108] provides students with a free premium version of Microsoft Office and cloud storage that includes: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, OneNote, Access, and One Drive which can be accessed through any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Training videos are available to assist students with using Microsoft Office 365 applications. An example [109].

Physical Resources-Supporting Documentation

[104] Facilities Master Maintenance Project Rotation List

[105] FY 2018 Funding Requests

[106] Distance Learning Website

[107] IT Website

[108] Microsoft Office 365 Overview
[109] CBC Microsoft  Office 365 Training Video

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9: FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Coastal Bend College has a sound financial base and has consistently operated within its financial resources, budgeting standards, and requirements. All annual budgets are carefully planned and approved by the CBC Board of Trustees before the beginning of each fiscal year [110].

Coastal Bend College is primarily funded through four different funding sources after factoring in the discount rate provided by federal, state and private gifts, grants and contracts. These four funding sources from largest to smallest are net tuition and fees (31%), state formula funding (23%), local ad valorem taxes (8%), and auxiliary enterprises (5%). 

Coastal Bend College's net financial position is of sound fiscal management and supports the needs of instruction and student services.  CBC budgets for all programs and expenditures on a district wide annual basis. The 2018-2019 budget will be developed from February 2018 – June 2018. A typical program budget [111], will be established for the business management program for 2018-2019. The budget planning process will be between February-June of each year. The addition of this program, will not require additional resources in terms of faculty and student services support; existing  resources are more than sufficient. Furthermore, CBC has reserve funds and a separate contingency on the annual budget of a minimum of one million dollars.

Each program is evaluated annually to assess financial and student performance. The results are used to identify areas of improvement and implement corrective action plans for the next fiscal year. Program Reviews also assist college leadership in determining how resources should be allocated. [112]

 

Financial Support- Documentation

[110] FY 2018 Board Approved Budget

[111]Business Management Program Budget

[112] Accounting Program Review Example

 

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10: EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT

CBC conducts an annual program review process to ensure that institutional effectiveness is an integral part of the college’s decision-making infrastructure.  All instructional programs and Administrative and Educational Support Services (AES) undergo a self-study as part of the process that results in a comprehensive assessment of institutional effectiveness. This applies to all off-campus sites and locations. The program review process possesses two sections that IE measures: fiscal responsibility and student learning which are established in the Annual Program Review Handbook [18]. Fiscal responsibility is defined by total cost of ownership (TCO) and includes all direct costs that go into delivering a program or service. Student learning is defined by return on investment (ROI). ROI measures the assessment of student learning outcomes, retention/persistence/completion rates, licensure pass rates, job placement, community outreach, and workforce readiness. Collectively these approaches provide a broad-based student, faculty, staff, and administrative participation in assessment in activities that impact the whole college community.

Strategic Planning

Each measurable goal documented in the prior fiscal year provides the baseline to determine what progress, if any has occurred with that particular goal. These results are then used as the foundation of the planning process, which is also outlined in the Annual Program Review Handbook.  In addition to the annual review of Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) [4], program review at the college is also used as one of the college’s primary planning tools. These results, whether in the 5-column model format [17] or the program review narrative are used to develop specific and measurable goals for the following year. These goals are required to directly align with the college’s strategic priorities [113]. Any recommendations and requests for resources to achieve the newly developed goals must be supported by data.

Evaluation of Instruction

All instructional courses, regardless of course delivery method is evaluated and assessed using the same methods. In addition to the Classroom Observation [114] completed by college administrators or faculty peer evaluators each semester, CBC has contracted with IOTA Solutions to conduct internet based course evaluations. After sending reminder notifications [115], with scheduled due dates to every faculty member instructional administrator, IOTA issues evaluation surveys to students. Students receive up to three reminder emails until they have completed evaluations for each course he or she is enrolled. Results of these course evaluations [116] are shared with each faculty member and the instructional dean to whom he or she reports.

Evaluation and Assessment-Supporting Documentation
[113] CBC Annual and Long Term Goals
[114] CBC Classroom Observation
[115] Faculty Course Evaluation Notification from IOTA
[116] Iota Course Evaluation Results


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