HeadsUp

 --Thanksgiving turkey, that is. I hope that you all have a restful and peaceful holiday break this weekend with your friends and family. Gobble, gobble

 
 In this Head's up post, I've got a couple of news, reminders and "to do" items for you to be working on.

• TO DO
  

Department Conditions Survey

You should have received at least two emails about this online survey so far this week. One is the description of the survey and a link to take it online. The second email came on 11/20 and is an FAQ of sorts to help you understand the purpose of the survey and how results will be used. Go to this link to take the survey. Please try to complete the survey by the end of the semester.  Results will be shared with the faculty in spring and we will develop a short response to it.

Final Exams

You know the drill--see the full email from the Provost from last week.

"Please remind your faculty that the final examination period is to be used either for the administration of final examinations or for such other course-terminating activities as may be appropriate.  If a faculty member plans to conduct an activity other than a final examination during this period, a report is to be filed with the department head requesting approval and indicating what the activity will be and where and when it will take place.  Copies of these reports are due to the Provost's office NLT December 5, 2007."  That means I have to have your report by December 3. So, if you are NOT conducting a final exam, you may email your report to me.
 

• UPDATES 

BearCom Lab Proposal

Faculty Meeting, December 5 at 3:00

Among other items that will pop up between now and December 5, the agenda should be short. We will have brief administrative area reports first, a brief discussion about a change to the merit committee structure, and then the main discussion point will be to continue to work through our departmental response to program review.  I am consulting with the administrative team the week before to flesh out a draft of the report. Then I will have a draft of the report to you by Friday, November 30. That should give you enough time to read it and come to the meeting with your suggestions to be included in the final report.

• NEWS

At the NCA conference last week, Susan was elected vice-president of the Public Relations Division at the National Communication Association Conference in Chicago for 2008. The Public Relations Division is a large division with seventeen formal panel and paper slots and two poster slots available for next year's conference. She will likely be planning the 2009 conference. Congrats Susan.

Congrats to Randy! His proposal to teach in the Council on International Education Exchange program has been accepted. He'll be teaching in South Africa next summer, so cool. 

• NCA RECEPTION A SUCCESS!
  

Thanks to everyone who participated in our departmental reception in Chicago last week. The response was great; we had alumni, grad students, faculty, and job candidates all together in a lovely room with good food and wine.  Here are a few pics for you. I'll post more when I get a few pictures from Jordan's camera. All in all it was a great turnout and I hope we can repeat it next year.

Kelly

Thank you everyone for a lively faculty meeting, despite that steamy room we had!  After all our conversations, deliberations, consternations, and salutations, I think we achieved some REAL progress in moving towards our External Review Response.  Below are the main points we covered during the meeting, and then I'll try to provide some next points of movement. 

BearCOM Speaking Lab

Ryan Childress spoke to the group about his proposal to test a speaking lab  in spring 2008.  He was responsive to the many questions that were posed by the faculty meeting. Dare I say, he was extremely resilient  in the face of some very strong opinions and assertions by the faculty.  Based on the feedback from the faculty, Ryan has agreed to work on the following items to revise his proposal:

• Meet with the Basic Course Director and discuss how to better coordinate with that program in light of the item that involves using a couple sections of public speaking in spring 2008 test.  Efforts are underway to secure such a meeting.
  
• Survey a sample of COM 115 students to clearly establish a need for this service by those very students. Taleyna Morris has offered Ryan some specifics on that in a follow up email.  This also relates to a related element that Ryan is working on and that's to assess student satisfaction and faculty satisfaction with the performance of students seeking this assistance.
  
• In order to ensure proper instruction, training of the tutors is of paramount importance. This can be discussed with the BC director.
• Include research on other university speaking labs of similar shape and purpose. Jeff Ireland volunteered his services in this endeavor and will work with Ryan to sufficiently include such information in the follow up proposal.
• One suggestion was made regarding the future of the lab and that involved realizing the research opportunities with such a speaking lab. Depending on future staffing and support, it could be of benefit to some faculty members who could use the lab for scholarship purposes.
  

External Review Response by the department

I reiterated that the response to external review is going to be a more specific task that was originally envisioned.  I spent some time discussing the current format of the report based on Provost McCarthy's comments to Dean Adams.   There was significant concern that completing such important prioritization by the faculty, by the end of the semester, may be unattainable, but not impossible.  Many echoed those concerns, especially with three searches currently underway.

I layed out two essential elements of the report. One, priorities for change. Two, actions steps and timeline those items. 

 PRIORITY AREAS FOR CHANGE (these have been discussed in previous faculty meetings and will be refined in this process)
 1.    Strategic recruitment: The report recognizes that our current enrollments are strong in all programs, we want to focus recruitment efforts in strategic ways. In doing so, we will need to develop a set of recruitment goals for both undergraduate and graduate recruitment. Goals will be different for each. Examples include increasing diversity of students in our programs (groups such as Hispanics, Native Americans, and African Americans can be reached from a variety of local communities).  High school students are a ripe group from with to recruit as well as transfer students from local community colleges.  We may also work to develop relationships with other 4 years schools to encourage students to apply to our masters programs. development of recruitment goals will need to be based on faculty discussions in several areas.  Some of these discussion points would likely include (a) consideration of our capacity – how many students at each level can we effectively serve (b) consideration of matches between recruited student interests and faculty expertise/interests (both teaching and research); (c) university priorities such as increasing diversity.

2.    Strengthen research focus: The report encourages us to identify priority research areas and focus energies in those areas.  We agree and want to build on our current strengths to develop those priorities. The main areas of research are a) applied communication with an emphasis in conflict, public relations, and political communication, and b) scholarship of teaching and learning. These areas would also allow us to synch our teaching with our research areas.
 
3.    Enhance CDR support: The report notes the excellent work of the CDR as well as the need to enhance its funding. It’s clear that the CDR needs to develop research areas that fit with fundable projects and that correspond with the department’s existing teaching, research, and service projects and abilities.  Doing so would enhance collaboration opportunities for faculty and student in the area of research as well as teaching.

4.    Strengthen online programs: Our online programs are places of great strength as well as promise for future enrollment growth. We need to continue to support these programs and find ways to support faculty in development of online courses as well as finding new audiences for our online courses and programs.  Solid faculty support is essential to this priority.

5.    Balance faculty workload demands:  Applegate clearly identifies our department as providing essential service to the university. This assists us in being  known for engagement at the university and community level and we want to maintain that presence. However, in order for us to increase our research profile, we need to become strategic in our service.  This should involve an inventory or service and deliberations about how to engage in university governance and how to possibly streamline departmental committee service as well as "time in" for activities like advising sessions, colloquia, etc.

6.     NEW PRIORITY ITEM:  Enhance Student Experiences: This area evolved out of discussion on a variety of issues.  For instance, our students aren't happy with, nor are some faculty, with the internship for credit experience students currently receive. Jim notes this in his report after talking with our undergraduate and graduate students. We also discussed how instructors may contribute to advising on a more consistent basis, and in other areas. One of those areas may be coordinating internships.  Faculty felt it was an important enough experience for students that a full time faculty member oversee the process. Moreover, with the earlier discussion about a speaking lab for all students, IF that is something the department gets behind, then that's an additional commitment to student experiences. It must be explored in much more detail, however. Another area that this topic relates to is the student portfolio assessment.  In order to make it a meaningful task for students and meaningful data to the faculty about our curriculum, it needs revised considerably.  It is within this area that we need to explore, as a department, ways to utilize the resources we have, including the full time instructors and how they can contribute in more meaningful ways to this department priority. We want to enhance the  student experiences within and outside the classroom in order to provide a  rich and varied learning environment that will augment their classroom experiences with faculty.

***
Now I need your feedback. I've heard from a couple of you already (THANKS). Please review and consider the 5 original priorities outlined above. How does these sound? What can you add to them in terms of clarification and examples?  Then, how did I do with beginning to flesh out the 6th priority area?  What suggestions do you offer here by way of examples?  Finally, is there an area here that we have not explored yet?  Keep in mind, these are priority areas of change (not what we do well now).

Footnote; I think we will be better off, in the long run, to put these areas in order of importance to the department. The dean and provost will definitely ask us which comes high on our list and which are less significant.  We can think, short term importance and long term importance and nest them in priority. 

And ultimately, the discussion will need to identify what we are not prioritizing (that will come later with a revision of our strategic plan).  So, if we say we want to strengthen online courses offerings, then those faculty will teach more online sections. What are the opportunities we have now to allow this to  happen?  How can we mentor new faculty in this area?  What holes in our department will that create curricular-wise? Is that an opportunity to have an instructor pick up a non 115 section?  If that happens, how do we cover that 115 section?  Do we then go with more per course instructors for 115?  These are the ways we'll have to think about how we will contribute to the positive change by reorganizing our workload, reducing some service, while also creating more collaborative research projects to keep our research moving along.

NEXT?  We have another faculty meeting Dec 5.  My plan is to take your email or verbal feedback between now and then, have a draft of a report for you to "in advance" of the meeting for us to discuss.  By that meeting, we'll still have time to craft our final response, and possibly have an additional faculty meeting, if necessary. I'm hopeful we can complete this by the end of the semester. And if necessary, give the dean a draft for feedback if we aren't ready.  I feel good we can accomplish this.

NCA is next week. Have fun, meet people, get good ideas and recruit people for our jobs. I have invitations in the office for you to take. 

Kelly 

Don't you just love Springfield weather. Warm one day and cold the next. At least the sun has been out. I have to admit, the fall colors are beautiful, but for how much longer. Did anyone see that silly gorilla on campus Wednesday? Who does he think he is???

This post is chock full of general information, dates, and deadlines.

FACULTY MEETING, Wednesday, November 7, 3:00 in Craig 337.
1) Thank you for participating so enthusiastically in last week's brainstorming and buzzing session related to our program review response. I have been working on a draft of our response. Currently, the administrative team is reviewing the first draft. I plan to have the draft ready for your review first thing next week.  I would like you to have it read, with comments, for the faculty meeting. It will again be one of our main discussion points for the meeting.

2) Another topic for discussion will be something I have been meaning to discuss with you for the last couple of faculty meetings, but other issues took priority. You've heard about it through that good ole grapevine I'm sure: BearCom Lab

Background: Back in August, Janis had mentioned at our first faculty meeting that some students were talking about resurrecting the idea of a speaking lab.  Roughly two weeks later, Ryan Childress (one of our majors) approached me as a representative of SGA with an idea to develop a communication lab for all students at the university. His idea was that a communication/speech lab would function much like the Writing Center and provide assistance to students on their presentational speaking. My first response was both interest and reservation. One the one handd, I was glad to see that one of our students was interested in proposing this idea and that it would provide a visible service to all students. On the other hand, I had some serious concerns relative to staffing, money, and space. I told him that it was a good idea and that he could explore the idea, but that because such an idea would need significant support from faculty up to the Provost's office, he would have to do some investigating. I framed this as a good experience for him in garnering support for an idea and to work within the system to get that support. I also strongly encouraged him to meet with LPH and talk to them about being an initial group of people to provide the consulting services, since that group had done so previously. I also indicated that he should propose this idea as a pilot project in spring, providing he could get support from LPH and other areas (space, money, etc.).  That was the extent of our conversation.

What next? Ryan has been working hard lately to get this BearCom Lab (his label) up and running in the spring semester. At this point, we need to talk about it as a faculty. So, I have invited Ryan to the faculty meeting next Wednesday to discuss his proposal with us. I have asked him to explain his reason for wanting such a service, where he's at now in the process, and to solicit feedback from the faculty. I would like you to think about how what recommendations we might make to him, in the spirit of suggestions for a spring pilot project only. I'm attaching Ryan's initial proposal BearCOM Center.doc here for you.  Read it as a proposal.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST for your perusal

Diversity Training
“In Their Shoes” is diversity training program intended to enhance basic knowledge, skills and comfort level in working with individuals with disabilities. This program focuses on students’ perspectives as they engage with faculty and staff through higher education and is designed to develop an improved understanding of what it is like to walk… in their shoes.  The training program takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.   It is important to read the directions to access and complete the training.

All Faculty, Administrators, Staff, and Student employees are required to complete this training NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2007. Go to this link and complete the training on your own.

 PLEASE ANNOUNCE TO STUDENTS:

1)  Extreme Networking for COM Students
FROM: the Association for Women in Communications- Springfield Chapter Members
Students are invited to an Extreme Networking event on Monday, November 5, 2007, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Reed Auditorium in the Trustee Science Center on the Drury University campus. If you are a member of AWC or join AWC by November 1 (annual student membership is $39), the event is free. For nonmembers, the dinner and networking is $5.00.

Students are strongly encouraged to wear business attire and be prepared to present your resume to Springfield-area communication professionals, who will give you career coaching and resume feedback. Each student will have 5 minutes with each professional for an extreme networking experience.Please contact Valerie Turner at 836-5636, email: valerieturner@missouristate.edu

2) COM 397: Special Events Planning, January Intersession added to the Spring 2008 class schedule.
 

FOR FACULTY

Grant Resource Workshop (I recommend this highly for those interested in grant opps)
Missouri State University will be hosting a workshop entitled Funding Opportunities for University Programs & Writing for Success that will be conducted by Dr. Richard Dunfee, Director, and Dr. Linda Anthony, Program Manager, of the Grant Resource Center on November 26th and 27th  at the Plaster Student Union.  Presentations will cover funding opportunities of federal and foundation sources, as well as key aspects of successful proposals.   

On the office of Sponsored Research and Programs website, an agenda outlines the details of the sessions in the workshop and the topics to be covered. All interested participants must register for the workshop as some sessions will have limited capacity. See further information on the workshop agenda.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU! 

Debate Team
Here's a sample of recent Debate Tournament action, and we got some action!

Kentucky (National) (3 teams)
Elims:
Clay Webb / Martin Osborn (Elite 8)
Michael Mapes / Meggie Mapes (Round of 32)
Speaker Awards:
Martin Osborn: 1st (of about 226)
Michael Mapes: 21st
 
KC Kansas Comm College (Regional) (4.5 teams)
Elims:
Jessica Johnson / Jordan Foley (Semis - Final 4)
Aaron Kruse / Kristen Stout (Sweet 16)
Ruben Alonzo / Swing Partner from K-State (Elite 8)
Speaker Awards:
Jordan Foley: 1st (of about 50)
Jessica Johnson: 2nd
Aaron Kruse: 6th

Big Picture:
1. Martin Osborn as 2nd/1st speaker is huge - we've not won top speaker at a major national since the CEDA/NDT Merger
2. Both Mapes/Mapes & Osborn/Webb are competitive for 1st round at-large bids. It typically takes 8-12 wins against other applicants. After 2 of 7 major nationals, Osborn/Webb have 4-6 and Mapes/Mapes have 2-3 (depending on who ends up applying).
3. Three of our freshmen (Jordan Foley, Aaron Kruse & Kristen Stout) are off to a great start!

There are still 4 remaining Fall Tournaments to go.  GO DEBATE!

Gloria Galanes recently received notification that she has been awarded a Summer Faculty Fellowship for her research project interviewing community leaders regarding their strategies for success in leadership. YEAH GLORIA!

The CDR had a site visit of their own last month by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks for their grant work. Char is pleased to report that the site visit was a huge success and that the CDR is now in a much better position to request future grants from the CFO. GO CDR!

Jerri Lynn recently traveled to Dallas, TX. She reports, "As the faculty advisor for Relay For Life I had the opportunity to attend the High Plains Summit in Dallas, TX from Friday morning until last evening.  It was a life changing experience for me in many ways.  Learning new cancer treatments that are cutting edge and being a part of a new cancer research study are among the top two reasons, and I could go on all day about the rest...Missouri State University earned the top award for amount raised (for our size of school) in the 11 state division that makes up the high plains region, and placed 8th nationwide..."  Thanks for representing us. YOU GO GIRL! 

Randy Dillon spoke at an Advisor Forum on Friday, Nov 2 about how to make the best case possible for promoting one's advising activities. Did you know, a few years ago, Randy won the Advising Award on campus, and then went on to win a National Advising Award? He did!  What does this mean?  GO TO RANDY WITH YOU ADVISING QUESTIONS!