Based upon the results of our Discussion with AQIP Site Visitors on May 3, we were able to focus our efforts on some specifics for our project.
We will narrow our project to activities on campus, and they will include:

• Internal - those we sponsor, and
• External - those other organizations sponsor

We need to develop a process and that specifies a go to
person for every event. The upcoming perceptions survey will help us to
address issues we need to focus on and measure improvement via furture
surveys. All event planners should follow the process if the event
involves facilities, funding, or publicity.

Brainstorming:

• Develop a system (process) to enhance community engagement through the management and evaluation of campus events.
• Develop a framework that will facilitate the management and evaluation of campus events.
• Increase community use and participation in events.
• Positively affect one aspect of community engagement.
• Develop a systematic and systemic process to enhance community engagement.

Following thoughtful discussion, the team agreed on the following goal description for our Community Engagement Action Project:

To enhance community engagement by developing a sytematic,
systemic process that will facilitate the managment and evaluation of
on-campus events.

Benchmarks:

• The process/framework is in place.
• An inventory - targeted and divided by population - is created and maintained.
• Evaluate the results by recording and comparing:
  • number of events each year (including types and categories)
  • participation by demographic groups (age, gender)

Measures for success:

• Community perception of LSC increases.
• Participation in events on campus increases.

Issues for framework:

1. How do we control this environment?

• Communication issue - point of contact, publicity, facilities, time
  (schedule appropriately throughout the year - not all on one weekend).
• All events should be listed via R25 on our website.
• Budget is established - where is the money coming from?
• Provide a check list for all organizers to complete - this should provide a place for an administrator to sign off on event.
• Unbundle the process by removing obstacles - make it simple - offer an incentive.
• Provide college-wide education on new process.

Since this was the last meeting for this team until our fall
semester begins, the group agreed to meet over the summer to continue
the work begun on this project. Mary will send appointments to the
group and those who are able to make it will attend.

Housekeeping

Steve Wagner will assume the role of project facilitator, Gary Kruchowski will be backup, and Lin will be the notetaker.

We know that our outcome is to have people come to campus to learn about LSC and what we have to offer. We know that the activity is the event. Now, we need to clarify our initiative.

New Discussion

Data from the Zenith Research survey will help us to identify benchmarks to use as measures of our current image in the community.

Outreach needs to be included in the outcome for this project.

What does it mean to LSC to be a community member, and how can we expand to touch the community?

Since we could definitely use a process for events, could our team create the process?

The process and the initiative should promote community involvement and volunteerism with a formal referral process to communicate involvement.

We might be able to select an item from the Zenith Research survey and address that issue.

The team was charged with collecting examples of what other industry/organizations use to promote community involvement.

When the AQIP site visit team is on campus, we will ask them to assist us.

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.