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Tina opened the retreat at 9:30 a.m. and thanked everyone for attending. She
introduced Dr. Dimitrios Pachis, Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Dr. Pachis said that in 1989 it was decided to come up with a plan to change
the university so that we're different than UCONN. We would be a CT public liberal
arts university; a residential campus. We would attract a mix of arts and science
and professional studies students. We would focus on attracting high caliber
students with a highly accessible campus. The challenge is to move ahead; strengthen
programs that we have; and introduce new courses that are needed with the focus
on student learning. Student learning is the key. We need to be a rigorous university
with high standards. We have just finished the planning for the science building.
The Science building will be 110,000 square feet. No building will be no more
than four stories high. We are going to keep building. Library has made a tremendous
impact. The next building will be the Fine Arts facility. The early resource
center will go on the large parking lot but we need a parking facility before
building the early resource center. We look like a private college which will
attract a high caliber student.
We need to do more student learning assessment. Develop a process where the
programs become more coherent and the instructors need to become more aware
if students are learning. We have to figure out how to educate our students.
Our goal is to have 15% of out of state students. Our retention rate is 70-75%.
He talked about raising the standards for the learner and the faculty. The library's
role will be an important one. There has to be a strong link between the library
faculty and the teaching faculty. He asked that every opportunity that we get
to explain what we do and how we do it and how it contributes to the learning
process.
We need to showcase the faculty and encourage them to learn in the library.
The physical environment has a positive impact on the student and their learning.
He asked that we be ready to help students and faculty; to exercise leadership.
We need to do everything in our power to encourage the learning process. Be
proactive and respond to faculty and students. We are on a journey that is so
exciting to build a university that will be first rate. There is nothing more
important than to be proud of what you are doing. We are going to play an important
role in the future.
He also announced that Rebecca Berg will be joining us as our Outreach Librarian
and should be here some time in July. He welcomed Gregory Robinson as our new
Coordinator of Access Services Librarian.
Nick Welchman asked about standards and how that affects the agreement about
transfer students from community colleges. Dr. Pachis did not think that the
agreement would lower the standards; a majority of community college students
do not come here.
Nick also asked about filling the vacant positions in the library. Dr. Pachis
was optimistic that we would be able to fill all our positions.
Tina thanked Dr. Pachis for taking time out of his busy schedule.
Tina went over the retreat etiquette: listen to speaker and not engage conversations.
Do not interrupt speaker; raise your hand and wait to be called upon.
Tina reviewed the document "Standards for college libraries; a draft". We
can use this with the four issues to evaluate our topic. Each group should designate
a group leader and a recorder. Stick with an outline: Define area. Identify
a couple of strengths. Identify weaknesses. Action goals (what can we do to
overcome these weaknesses).
| Staff Groups: |
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Organizational Culture Shift |
What does the new library mean as far as changes are concerned? Jobs are more
segmented. Workers are more accountable.
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Employee Well-being: |
Pleasant work environment minimizes the stress
Clearly defined work loads/roles/duties
Mutual respect
Acceptance of the university/library mission statement
Understanding reporting structure of the organization
Opportunities for training and employee enrichment
Employee recognition: recognition of achievements
People working as a team
Employees able to express ideas freely
Rewarding work
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Communications: |
Definition: exchange of information by most effective means to insure quality
of the services of the library and the espirit de corp of the staff
In-house: Director and staff communicate effectively by e-mail; for last minute
communications we should use telephone tree.
Three areas of communication: director-staff; staff-director; staff-staff
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Service to the Public: |
In general, the new physical space, technology, and staffing support the mission
of the library to provide a quality learning environment and services to both
external and internal clients.
Definition: I. Service to External Clients (students/faculty, general public
community)
External Clients: All services listed in guide to library services brochures
(updated annually)
The staff broke into three groups to discuss goals/objectives for 1999-2000. The three groups are: Administrative/Information Technology; Public Services; Technical Services. Each group will give their goals first thing on the second day of retreat.
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© 2007 ECSU |
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Last Updated 08/02/01 |
