STAFF SUPPORT ACTION TEAM

 

Goal Three: Create an exceptional learning environment characterized by high-quality instruction, active learning, and educational innovation

Objective 3.i.  Continue to promote individualized attention to students from faculty and staff as a campus value

Strategy 3.i.1. Continue to utilize professional staff in academic advisement of freshmen students (see also Objective 2.a.)

Cost: $ Recurring

Designated person/unit: Academic Advisement Office and First Year Committee

Strategy 3.i.2.  Develop process that annually reminds all staff of the learning resource support available to students

Cost: $ One time

Designated person/unit: Academic Council, VCAA and Student Services – Link to Orientation process

            Strategy 3.i.3.  Enhance customer service skills of the classified staff by:

o       Developing and offering quarterly a mandatory Orientation process for new staff.  Designated person/unit: Classified Employees Assembly,  Orientation Committee

o       Continuing to offer low- or no-cost customer services workshops to staff. Designated person/unit: HR

o       Requiring unit heads to develop the customer relation skills of their classified staff. Designated person/unit: Academic Unit Heads

o       Increasing the number of continuing staff participating in at least one customer service workshop every 3 years to greater than 95% for each department.

 Designated person/unit: Dept. Heads – through EPMS

Cost: $ Recurring

Measure: Determine our current level of student satisfaction and establish a  percentage goal of student’s perception that individual attention occurs in a variety of settings. (Use existing instruments to measure- faculty evaluations, advisor survey, student survey, etc.)

Goal Seven: Continue to develop and sustain a highly motivated and talented faculty and staff who are involved, productive, and committed to achieving the University’s vision.

Objective 7.a.  Review and clarify the criteria for evaluation and reward of faculty and staff to ensure their effectiveness and consistency with the institutional mission         

Strategy 7.a.1.  Increase funding for Pay For Performance (PFP) to one percent of classified staff salaries to reward consistently excellent performance through both recurring salary increases and one-time bonuses, and encourage and publicize these opportunities.

Cost:  approx. $50,000 recurring

Designated person/unit: IPC and Chancellor, department heads/supervisors

Measure: Consistent with the institutional mission, establish new guidelines for the PFP and bonus programs and assure that they are followed for reward of staff.

Objective 7.b.  Address the issue of the heavy workload of faculty and staff

Strategy 7.b.1.  Increase staff where necessary, consistent with external peers and standards to maintain a level of service that supports both the institutional mission and values.  (See also Administrative and Student Life and Services Working Group Reports)

Cost:  $$$ Recurring

Designated person/unit: IPC through program reviews

Strategy 7.b.2. Invite external peer consultants from similar units to provide a new perspective and suggestions regarding our staff procedures.

  Cost:  $ Recurring

            Designated person/unit: Departments

Strategy 7.b.3.  Include proactive involvement of staff in all appropriate program developments, initiatives, and/or curriculum changes.

 Cost:   0

 Designated person/unit: Chancellor/VCAA

                       Strategy 7.b.4.  Increase use of work study students and temp employees where appropriate.

Cost:  Increase ISE and temp money $$ Recurring

Designated person/unit: Departments and Chancellor

Strategy 7.b.5.  Encourage meetings of staff across divisions that focus on ways to improve efficiency.

Cost:  0

            Designated person/unit: Monday Group and departments

Strategy 7.b.6.  Reward innovative ideas through an entrepreneurial award to the department.

Cost:  $1000 per award – recurring

Designated person/unit: Chancellor

Measure: Create a small task force (appointed by Monday Group) to examine current staffing levels in relation to duties assigned and study staff workload perception.

Objective 7.c.  Find ways to compete for the best qualified faculty and staff in the hiring process

Strategy 7.c.1.  Provide competitive salaries (with peer institutions) to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff

Cost: $$$ Recurring

Designated person/unit: VCAA and Chancellor

Strategy 7.c.2.   Fund an interview process that consistently highlights the most attractive aspects of the Aiken community and the campus, and communicate appropriate guidelines to those on search committees

Cost: $ Recurring

Designated person/unit: HR, External Affairs and CEA to develop process; IPC/Chancellor for funding.

Strategy 7.c.3.  Optimize the timing of the search process in order to attract the most qualified candidates

Cost: 0

Designated person/unit: IPC, Chancellor, Unit Heads

  Measure:  Increase the acceptance percentage of first choice candidates.

Objective 7.d.  Develop recruiting and networking strategies to diversify the faculty/staff in order to mirror the makeup of the student body and surrounding community

Strategy 7.d.1.  Seek ethnic, racial and gender diversity among faculty and staff at all levels by developing search strategies and policies that ensure a diverse pool of qualified applicants

Cost: $ Recurring

Designated person/unit: Chancellor, HR, and hiring units

Strategy 7.d.2.  Develop external relationships with institutions such as professional associations, peer institutions and community-based organizations that will support campus diversity goals

Cost: $ Recurring

Designated person/unit: Hiring units, HR

            Measure: Continue to evaluate growth of diversity in faculty and staff.

Objective 7.e.  Identify ways to retain and motivate highly effective employees

Strategy 7.e.1.   Establish a mentoring program for staff in their first two years at USCA

Cost: Time

Designated person/unit: for staff – CEA and HR should develop

            Strategy 7.e.2.  Develop a staff orientation in conjunction with CEA.

Cost: $ Recurring

Designated person/unit: CEA and HR

Strategy 7.e.3.  Recognize and publicize effective performance (See Addendum)

Cost: $ Recurring

Designated person/unit: directors/dept heads

Strategy 7.e.4.   Identify reasons for attrition and amend policies and practices as needed

Cost: 0

Designated person/unit: HR and Chancellor

Strategy 7.e.5.   Address the heavy workload issue (see also Objective 7.b.)

Cost: [see Obj. 7.b.]

Designated person/unit: [see Obj. 7.b.]

Strategy 7.e.6.  Establish new bonus program consisting of discretionary funds at the department level that are used for awards across depts. for exemplary performance.

Cost: $ Recurring

Designated person/unit: Established by MG; administered by supervisors/dept head

  Measure: Collect perception data relating to staff motivation to identify areas of concern and decrease the percentage of
  turnover rate(s) in those problem areas.

            Objective 7.g.  Promote and support professional development for faculty and staff

Strategy 7.g.1.  Seek additional funds for staff resources, travel and development

Cost: $$$ Recurring

Designated person/unit: Chancellor and Partnership Board

Strategy 7.g.2.  Develop and deliver an annual program of professional development opportunities on campus to meet identified interests and needs.

Cost: $ Recurring

Designated person/unit: Various individual units; HR

Strategy 7.g.3. Offer and promote at least two opportunities to attend customer service development programs per year. (see also Strategy 3.i.3.)

Cost: $ Recurring

Designated person/unit: HR

            Measure: Increase attendance at development opportunities annually documented through program reviews

             Objective 9.f.  Encourage staff cross-training, particularly in offices with few staff members, to improve effectiveness and efficiency

Strategy 9.f.1.  Develop procedural guidelines for all staff positions 

Cost: $ One time

Designated person/unit: Unit staff and supervisor; HR

Strategy 9.f.2.  Encourage the sharing of staff during non-peak/peak times campus wide.   

Cost: 0

Designated person/unit: Unit heads and staff

Strategy 9.f.3.   Within departments, conduct periodic sessions in which department members share information regarding their responsibilities with other appropriate personnel

            Measure: Evidence of cross training occurring in all departments annually and operational manuals created for every staff position.

 

Addendum to Staff Support Action Team Report

Strategy 7.e.3. suggestions of ways to recognize and publicize effective performance include: creating a kudos section in Post Time Notes, utilizing bonus programs, and awarding gift certificates.

 

             

 

 

 

University of South Carolina Aiken
Copyright © 2002 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina.
Comments to webmaster@aiken.sc.edu     09/24/2002
URL: http://www.usca.edu/strategic plan