Academic Support Center

Recent Changes

Attempted to use signal flags -> students did not like using them
Increased tutoring center hours -> Bates – Sunday evenings 1-5, Writing Services – evenings
Increased number of tutors between 11-5 time slots
Counseling Center Collaboration -> help students deal with anxiety pertaining to academics
Develop “Tutor for Hire” – set up a posting website to help connect tutors and students interested in tutoring (coming Fall 2011)

Possible Projects/Changes

Investigating enhancing technology, such as ‘webcam tutoring’ and revamping website to make it more relevant to students
Investigating the potential for online tutoring
Provide links to tutorials, such as youtube videos, to help students during late night hours
Offering ‘refresher courses’ for tutors so they are better prepared to help students

Barnes & Noble @ RIT

Recent Changes

Implemented textbook rentals(rented per quarter)
- Students can save over 50% off the new selling price
Enhanced digital titles
- Textbooks can be purchased electronically for 35-40% less than new selling price
- Nook (e-reader) being sold at store
- “Nook Study” – e-reader software that allows the user to highlight passages, search for links in wiki/youtube/etc
Accepting Tiger bucks for online purchases
Began hosting charity events, which improves the RIT community presence
- Meet and great with RIT hockey team
- Margaret’s House readings

Future/Proposed Changes

Exploring increased athletic apparel options to coincide with addition to new RIT hockey rink

Departments ^

CAST Dean’s Office

Recent Changes

“Coffee with the Dean” – students meet with the Dean
- Gain feedback from students on issues in the college (conversion, etc)
- Increases student/staff interaction
- Reduces isolation due to physical boundaries (dean’s office is not located near student classrooms)
Meetings with Dean and college organizations/clubs
- Mini-baja, women in technology, etc
- Student evaluations, students raise concerns/issues
Retention efforts
- Registration holds for FTFT students for winter/spring quarters
  - Meet with advisor to make sure you are on track

Future/Proposed Changes

Increased advising in future years to make sure conversion process goes smoothly
- IAP’s (Individual Advising Plan) developed for each student

Departments ^

Center for Women and Gender

Recent Changes

Name change from Women’s Center to Center for Women and Gender
- Attempt to draw more diverse group of students (males, GLBT, etc)
Three new programs
- Body Image Committee
- Social Change and Advocacy
- Healthy Relationships Committee
Staff is becoming more proficient in sign language in order to help with counseling of deaf/hard of hearing students
- Increases ease of communication for walk-in services
New advertising campaign for CARES program (crisis response program)

Proposed Projects/Changes

AES class changes
- Alternative Education Services – students take classes to avoid suspension
- Moving toward more 1 on 1 sessions
New Website -> more information – events, program request forms, etc
Facebook page -> lists events

Departments ^

Office for Diversity & Inclusion

Recent Changes

Consolidation of Diversity Departments which include:
- Multicultural Center for Academic Success (previously named North Star Center)
  - Rochester City Scholars
  - Developed formal mentoring for students
- Mc Nair Scholars program
- Native American Future Stewards Program
Reorganization of departments provides a streamline process for students
Hired Marketing/Public Relations Co-ordinator to address student concerns

Future/Proposed Changes

Work with SG and student organizations to hear student concerns regarding diversity & inclusion
Marketing/Public Relations Co-ordinator to:
- Develop social media presence to interact with students
- Market and promote events and programs
- Create annual reports for the campus community
- "Diversity Landing" webpage
  - Will direct students the information they are looking for pertaining to diversity

Departments ^

COS Dean’s Office

Recent Changes

Students gave input on updates to the chemistry lab-> a professor received a grant to update the lab
- Students wanted more options in vending machines-> more options and a mocrowave are now offered at the vending machines
Implemented student research seminars -> informal, every Wednesday afternoon.
- Students present their current research
- Typically 30-60 students attend presentations each Wednesday
FTFT(first time full time) students -> hold on registration until student meets with an adviser
WISe -> Women In Science
- Encourage women in STEM programs
- Highlights alumni, current student achievements http://www.rit.edu/cos/WISe/index.html
- Hosted an afternoon tea for two COS female alumni and current students the afternoon of RIT's Women's Career Achievement Dinner(5/2/11)
Held a Club Fair Day- working with COSSAB, SG representative- Wednesday, March 9, 2011 from 12 to 2 in the college of Science atrium
Feedback Gathering- COSSAB- College of Science Student Advisory Board - students meet w/ Dean once a month - "Voice of Students"

Departments ^

Counseling Center

Recent Changes

New groups have been organized to help students – ex) social anxiety group
Pet therapy - trained dog for counseling -> helps students w/ anxiety, students find dog comforting
- Breaks the ice, dog brought to Margaret’s House
Better training for employees
- Faculty and staff are receiving training in Early Intervention Techniques
- OA’s and RA’s receiving training on mental health issues, how to recognize these
Increased counseling presence for students affected by student deaths
Increased offerings of Mindfulness Meditation classes
Greek Life Programs – counselor offering relationship and stress management programs to sororities and frats
New intake process
- Intake coordinators screen new students – students assigned to counselors w/ relevant expertise
- Decreases total wait time for students to see counselors
- Improves ability to offer specialized treatment

Future/Proposed Changes

Peer Education Program – involvement from multiple departments
- Train students to host wellness programs to educate fellow students
Wellness Cluster – multiple centers would be involved
- Counseling, health, religious, wellness courses
- Have more visible student wellness organization on campus
Use of bio-feedback to help lower anxiety and stress

Departments ^

Dining Services

Recent Changes

Fruit/veggies offered at all major dining locations in response to student request for more fruit and vegetable options
Recent additions -> food truck, Nathans, Gordie’s, Global Market, Global Cantina and Grill
- 7 new operations added in past 2 years
- 211 additional service hours per week
- Salsarita’s is currently the busiest Salsarita’s in the country
Net Nutrition Program offered on Dining Services website
- Students have the ability to examine nutritional content of campus food (calories, fat, etc)
- 50% increase in staffing for Net Nutrition Program (experienced dietitian, nutritionist, etc)
International foods presence enhanced in response to student request for additional international food selections
- An icon on the website informs students where international foods are located on campus
- Brought outside vendors onto campus -> more authentic
Vegetarian options increased at Crossroads, Commons, Gracie’s, SAU, & Global Cantina

Future/Proposed Changes

Continuing to update and improve web functionality – net nutrition program

Departments ^

Disability Services

Recent Changes

Physical changes since move to new location in SAU in march 2010
Test center improvements
- Larger test room w/ 15 testing stations
- Seperate area with 9 testing stations w/ computers
- 4 individual testing rooms for increased isolation/ distraction reduction
Collaboration with Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services to provide students with information regarding disability topics and employment. See web page: http://www.rit.edu/emcs/oce/job-seekers-disabilities
Web Site Changes:
- Improved the online request process for acquiring a testing station

Departments ^

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Recent Changes

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships has implemented many process improvements over the last several years, to continue our focus on student centered-ness. One of the benefits of the Speak-Up Day was to increase the amount of feedback we received, which further reinforced that the improvements we have been making are on the right track, and are well received by our constituents. Speak-Up Day served to increase the volume of our feedback regarding the following initiatives we had already implemented prior to the event:
- Additional person full-time at front desk - now 3 full-time people at front desk to receive
  incoming phone call and appointment traffic.“call pool” – when 3 people at front desk are occupied, the incoming call goes into call pool which can be accessed by at least 15 additional staff members in the department, resulting in less time waiting in call queue
- Ask Account – student emails questions, typically receives response within 24-48 hours
- Contact students primarily through e-mail (less paper mail) - faster responses
  - 86% of participants at Speak Up Day preferred being contacted through e-mai
- Self-Service Portal
  - More user-friendly (financial aid status, missing paperwork alerts, etc)
  - Students more capable of solving financial aid issues without having to visit or call the department
  - Increased marketing of the availability of this service through initial award info packages, presentations, and email communications to students
- Scholarship availability
  - Scholarships/grants link on website
  - “Announcement Box” – alerts students of upcoming scholarship deadlines
- The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships participates in multiple information-sharing events each month to increase awareness of financial aid issues, such as orientations, high school information nights, grad/undergrad information seminars. These events enable us to gather feedback from students and parents in order to stay in tune with what families common questions/concerns are

Future/Proposed Changes

New Student Information System (SIS) in the next few years - should provide more opportunities to enhance the coordination of financial aid, scholarship, student loan management, billing, and registration services
Feedback
- 195 respondents
- 92% responded that our customer service was already “very” or “somewhat” helpful.
- Our table had more visitors than expected and the event drew more feedback than the surveys we attempted to conduct on our own in the past

Departments ^

FMS

Recent Changes

Full-time employee position dedicated to special events
- Events are handled more quickly and efficiently
Revised the computer work order request system for Residence Halls and Apartements
Clubs are no longer required to pay for FMS Labor

Future/Proposed Changes

Further simplification of the work order request process to allow students to provide availability in the initial request

Departments ^

GCCIS Dean’s Office

Recent Changes

Instituted social media presence to help connect with students
- Developed twitter and facebook accounts
Increased advising for students in college
- 8.5 undergrad advisers
- 1 grad adviser
- “Dean’s Delegates” – establish priorities/strategies for advising
Instituted FTFT advising hold process
- Every freshmen/transfer must meet with adviser before winter/spring registration

Future/Proposed Changes

Continued improvements in advising
Change advising culture for students – more involvement

Departments ^

Global Village

Recent Changes

Housing
- Suites with different configurations and amenities provide students different price points to fit their financial situation
- Global Village housing rates are comparable to Park Point and the Province
- Offers students a global living experience to prepare them as they travel overseas and join a cultural diverse work force
- Large number of state-of-the-art common areas and study rooms to support academic successand on-floor community
- The study abroad housing cluster and Entrepreneurial Hall are also located in Global Village to support the university’s global and entrepreneurial missions
Retail Services
- A number of retail services and shops are included in Global Village to provide students an on-campus, urban setting of activity and community alongside their studies. Students are in mere walking distance of a number of services saving them gas/bus fare/a trip into town. Pricing at all of the retail locations is comparable to surrounding local businesses
- Services and shops include:
  - Shear Global Salon offering full hair services for men and women, specialty ethnic hair services, manicures and pedicures, spray tanning and tanning bed, eyebrow sculpting, and hair products
  - Shop One² showcasing the talents of RIT students, faculty, staff, alumni, and local artists. The shop also provides students an on-campus boutique to purchase one-of-a-kind art and gifts
  - The HUB Print Center, formally located in the Crossroads building, moved over to
    Global Village to offers students a larger computer workspace, finishing area, and retail supplies area for all their projects and printing needs. Additionally, a full-service post office was also added to the space to accommodate not only Global Village residents, but University Commons, Riverknoll, and Greek Circle students
Educational Services
- Central RIT offices that focus on the university’s global and entrepreneurial advancements are also located in Global Village. These departments/programs include:
  - The Constellation Commons for Global Learning provides students an international
    educational resources and includes RIT’s Study Abroad & Fellowships, Global Initiatives and Programs, and the Native American Future Stewards departments
  - Entrepreneurs Center and Prototype Lab is an academic resource that supports the
    entrepreneurial initiatives of students
Dining Services
- Dining Services operates two new locations in Global Village:
  - The Market at Global Village offers students a large selection of international and
    traditional food items. The market provides students an on campus store to purchase everything from fresh produce, milk, meats, snacks, and ready to eat meals to shampoo, detergent, and Fair Trade gifts. The market is also a favorite location amongst our international students who can purchase food items native to their countries. Prices in the market are comparable prices to Wegmans
  - Salsarita’s, Oishii Sushi, and the Global Grille are all part of the Global Village Cantina and Grille. Salsarita’s offers fresh Mexican fare, a popular cuisine amongst students, as well as a small bar for students 21 years old and over. The Global Grille rotates cooked- to-order international menus for students to experience new cuisines, as well as offers a variety of healthy and vegetarian menus. Oishii Sushi offers freshly made sushi to accommodate the large number of sushi-lovers on campus!
Activities and Events
- A beach volleyball court offers students a fun, outdoor activity during the warm months and transforms into an ice rink for a winter-time activity.
- The Global Village plaza offers students a center of activity in an urban setting and includes heated, outdoor seating, fire pit, small stage area, lounge seating, and water element

Proposed Projects/Changes

Increase the number of events held in the plaza to foster greater on-campus community and to provide activities for students
- More direct involvement from Student Government and student clubs/groups
- Reservations of space in plaza
Filling one additional commercial space
More student-friendly pricing in Shop One²
In the process of creating a new Global Village website to provide students information on everything Global Village offers, events, hours, etc.

Feedback Gathering

Focus groups with students
Feedback from student employees
Informal feedback from student customers
Clipboard surveys
Working with Student Government

Departments ^

HEOP/TRIO

TRiO

Future/Proposed Changes

Develop student focus groups for additional feedback
Develop a Probation Seminar (similar to HEOP’s)
Explore ways to increase student involvement

HEOP

Recent Changes

HEOP offices relocated to SAU—more centralized location
HEOP created a Student Advisory Board
- Created a Facebook page exclusively for HEOP students
- Held town meetings winter and spring quarters
- Held social “Beat the Winter Blues” winter quarter
- Led planning of Ethnic Food Day—great success and collaboration between HEOP
  and MCAS students
- Elected new members for 2011-12
HEOP Seminar was developed to provide extra support for students on academic probation
- Has helped decrease the number of student who are on probation
HEOP piloted drop-in tutoring format for 2010-2011 to expand tutoring support for
students
HEOP counseling focused on both personal and academic issues to provide more
comprehensive support

Future/Proposed Changes

Student Advisory Board will continue to strengthen unity and engagement among HEOP
students
Student Advisory Board will plan additional social programming, such as bowling, movie
nights, etc.
Professional Staff will invite students to join them at campus events
Student engagement will be more strongly encouraged and facilitated

Departments ^

Honors Program

Overview

Designed around three basic ideals of Leadership, Scholarship and Citizenship, the Honors Program is for students who seek to challenge themselves in exemplary learning experiences such as undergraduate research projects, honors seminars, and study abroad; and who wish to extend and share their knowledge through participation in professional associations and conferences

Recent Changes

Expanded student housing in Gibson Hall
Updated academic requirements to enhance interdisciplinarity and flexibility
Offered academic events à open to the entire RIT community
- grad school seminar preparation series

Possible Projects/Changes

Collaborate with colleges to offer more upper level honors courses
Increase the number of late entry students
Increase the number of non-honors students enrolled in honors classes
Collaborate with Alumni Relations Development to build relationships with program graduates

Departments ^

Housing Operations

Recent Changes

Opened Global Village – so far positive reviews from students
Students asked for more social gathering space – 10% of converted lounges were changed back to regular lounges
Renovated gathering space in Grace Watson (across from Beanz)
Increased number of bike racks

Future/Proposed Changes

Implementation of StarRes – software program for the majority of student operations
- Improve automation and ease of housing registration
More training for service staff

Departments ^

ITS

Recent Changes

Students can now register 5 devices per account
Resnet
- More staff members are familiar with lesser used operating systems
- Although not marketed, make “best efforts” to fix issues – more successful as of late
- Also offer desktop and mobile support (iphones, etc)
- Additional advertising during fall quarter move-in
Campus is blanketed with wireless access
Work volume has increased over past year
Students now are able to keep their RIT Gmail accounts after graduation.
Worked with SG to develop RIT Online Voting Application(vote.rit.edu)
Change to gmail – positive feedback from students
- Allows for more e-mail space
- Enabled access to all Google services with an RIT account.

Future/Proposed Changes

SIS renovation
- Gathering student feedback on issues, such as registration preferences
- Target end date 2012
- First modules go live in October 2011
Green data center
- New data center is required – current one is at capacity for power/physical space
- Want to be a model for other campuses on how to design a data center w/ green principles
- Reduce waste – power consumption/total consumption should be as close to 1 as possible.

Departments ^

NTID Dean’s Office

Recent Changes

RIT/ASL Deaf Studies Community Center – Opened in SAU
- ASL Classes, gathering area, education on deaf culture/history – interaction between hearing and deaf
Increased deaf/HOH presence in Student Government
- Greg Pollock – SG President
- Helen Yu - NTID Senator
- Alicia Wooten - Cross-Registered Senator
20 sections of ASL will be offered for the Fall of 2011
Center of Employment actively recruiting additional companies to NTID career fair
- Raised from approximately 20 to more than 30 companies attending in each of the past few years

Future/Proposed Changes

Provost’s Deaf Access Committee
- Exploring ways to create greater connections between hearing and deaf students
Holding forum to discuss English Program - direct result of Speak Up Day feedback
ASL may be offered as a Minor
Exploring an Outreach Coordinator – would coordinate with Student Affairs
- Bring back deaf Greek Life
- Help NTID connect with rest of campus/community

Departments ^

Parking and Transportation

Recent Changes

Bike path
- Installed 40 additional bike racks in September 2010
  - Consulted the cycling club -> decided on bike racks that allowed for U-locks
- Hired safety consultant
- Added covered bike shelters
Campus bus travel improvements (to improve travel experience and reduce travel time)
- Added a heated bus shelter for Gleason Circle
- Developed direct routes for residential areas (park point, province, perkins, colony)
- The improved design led to decreased travel time and decreased costs, as fewer buses are required
Additional raised crosswalks ( to improve safety)
Additional 20 Minute parking near campus center for clubs loading/unloading material
More Student Health Center parking for student patients
Although increasing parking is difficult, efforts are made to improve parking experience for students
- Created student athlete parking guide
- Instituted accommodations for film students who need to load/unload equipment
- Instituted accommodation for ROTC students

Future/Proposed Changes

Exploring ways to improve transportation off of campus (city-wide)
- Allow students to enjoy all that Rochester has to offer

Departments ^

Registrar

Recent Changes

Offers online self-service for Enrollment Verification (for insurance, scholarships, etc.)
- Simplifies the process
Increased parent access to student account information and grades
Easier online class registration

Future/Proposed Changes

Gather benchmarking information from other colleges that are converting to or have already converted to semesters

Departments ^

Residence Life

Recent Changes

Emphasized focus to find best RA candidates
- Lead, Learn, Earn, Serve -> recruitment effort aimed toward students
- Fall “Career Fair” for student leadership positions
- “Most students know if they want to be an RA within 6 weeks”
Programming model was revamped in order to provide more beneficial programs to students

Future/Proposed Changes

Improved orientation for NTID students
- Many students have difficulty making transition to school lifestyle
Explore & assess new programming
- Who is being targeted? Is it effective? Are we over programming?
Learning communities ->attempt for better collaboration with housing/academics
- Situate RA’s with the same major as learning communities

Departments ^

SCB Dean’s Office

Recent Changes

Instituted the Mentoring/Coaching Institute
- Alumni, others speakers discuss leadership with freshmen
- began ‘09/10

Future/Proposed Changes

Increase social media presence - twitter, FB, etc

Student Health Center

Recent Changes

Prescription Delivery Agreement with Wegman’s Pharmacy
- Wegman’s delivers student prescriptions to SHC for student to pick up
- Students do not have to leave campus in order to get prescription medication
Appointments prescheduled in order to reduce wait time for patients
Increased patient parking adjacent to the health center – 3 additional spots
Improved interpreter scheduling for deaf and hard of hearing students
Increased phone line capacity to reduce call waiting times for students
SHC now has a full-time psychiatrist on staff

Future/Proposed Changes

Exploring using swipe card check-in in order to avoid waiting in line to check in
Updating webpage – more information, more capabilities (electronic scheduling of appointments)
On-line patient services
- Self-scheduling of appointment
- Submission of HHF and immunization information

Departments ^

University News

Recent Changes

Public Relations for RIT
Offer daily electronic newsletter
- News clips offered from outside sources (D&C, etc)
Crisis communication – new communication methods – twitter
New forms of communication on website
- Youtube, facebook, twitter, podcast, blog

Future/Proposed Changes

Currently developing a global app for RIT
- Students will have access to all info about RIT
- Athletics, news, directory, emergency info, events, etc

Departments ^

Wallace Center

Recent Changes

Additional laptops have been purchased. Now more than 25 laptops available for loan
More than 60 computer workstations have been upgraded on the first and second floors
Additional power outlets have been located throughout the building
Study tables with built-in power outlets are more visible
Implemented more flexible purchasing models to make thousands of electronic books available
Building stronger partnerships with other libraries to make more resources available
Reference and circulation desks have been combined into one point of service
Piloted new service to offer research assistance in the residence halls, the "Sol Study Center"
Formed a Wallace Center Advisory Board(students/faculty/staff/alumni) to provide feedback on services and directions
Submitted proposal for Vision 2025 for comprehensive redesign of the building

Departments ^

*Please note that the Office of Assessment & Research and The Link will post changes throughout the year as they are submitted and are not responsible for the accuracy or current status of information submitted by departments.