Institutional Effectiveness Committee Meeting
February 2, 2007

Notes: The former Regional Testing Center team has decided to pursue an action project that will build awareness and improve the image of LSC. Our goal is to make a difference in the community through Community Engagement.

Present: Linda Black, Janet Blixt, Kevin Futhey, Tom Gustafson, Peggy Gustofson, Gary Kruchowski, Bill Majewski, Mary Nienaber, Steve Wagner, Zbig Wdowiak

Brainstorming Ideas:

• Survey existing volunteerism among employees to promote and encourage increased participation. Publish results through the Office of Public Information.
• We are already addressing issues related to the environment and homeless population.
• “Adopt a Class” of elementary age students and bring them to campus so we can connect with them early.
• Have an outdoor summer foreign film series and bring in the public – global initiative.
• Bring the community to campus for fun activities. Have a day devoted to various learning activities: workshops, seminars, demonstrations, in the late afternoon/early evening.
• Facilitate events that are unique, outstanding, superlative – that are not only self-serving, but meet the HLC criteria. Determine staff and faculty passion so we can get them involved.
• Must define a measurable outcome for improving our image while providing a community service.
• Determine base - how many events and news articles are there now?
• How many new events/articles are there?
• Look at Chapter 9 of the System’s Portfolio for opportunities for improvement that we can incorporate into this action project.
• Collect, analyze, and report on collaborative activities that are now in progress.
• Look at calendar of events and have divisions plan specific events that will bring people to campus and take students out to the community.
• Establish a system Inventory/Calendar for collecting data and then expand on what is now being offered. Include campus events that are ongoing services and community outreach activities.
• Celebrate with a community event that will bring people to campus.
• When we have our open house events, we can publicize the other events on campus.
• Events need to be self-sustaining so they can be replicated each year.
• The goal is to change our campus culture and community perception of LSC.

Institutional Effectiveness Committee Meeting
February 23, 2007

Present: Linda Black, Pam Elstad, Kevin Futhey, Peggy Gustofson, Tom Gustafson, Gary Kruchowski, Steve Wagner, Zbig Wdowiak

Our goal is to bring people to campus with an annual event that is self-sustaining. It should attract high school students, parents, and seniors.

We created an “Inventory” to evaluate what we now offer at LSC.

Robot Competition

Festival of Trees

Writer’s Series

Entrepreneur Event/Speakers Series

Auto Show (student)

Open Houses

Saturday Workshops for Kids

Art Exhibits

Health Occupations Today “Hot Campus”

Science and Math Expo

Child Care Expo

Fund Run

Computer Clinic

Pow Wow

Diversity Days

Mixed Blood Theater

Throw a Thon

International Wood Fire Conference

Choir Concert

Lights on for Safety

Give Kids a Smile

Snowboarding/Ski Waxing

Junior Achievement Competition

Health Fair

We need campus input to add events we are not aware of, and Gary will check the Public Information “Clip Book” archives to see if there are others.

Issues:

• R25 should list all public events.

• What draws people to our campus?

• How do you measure results and gauge the difference you make?

• We need to have an “EVENT PLANNING PROCESS” in place to calculate the cost, benefit, and educational outcome.

Survey:

• Who came?
• Why did they come?
• What did they get out of it?

Follow-up:

• Was the event relevant and did it change the perception of LSC?

We can use the “Image Study” as a guideline for planning.  The event should be altruistic and provide a service learning component.  We need to deliver a message about what we offer in the way of diversity, i.e., cars, poetry, art.

The Kids Safe program, sponsored by St. Mary’s Hospital, was a good example, since people who came to our campus learned that we have a multitude of health care programs.