CIHE Accreditation Self-Study Report February 2006
Standard Six: Students
Description
Consistent with its mission, New Hampshire Technical Institute enrolls a student body which as a whole is broadly representative of the population it wishes to serve. The admission policies and process are orderly and ethical and comply with legislative requirements concerning equality of educational opportunity. Application procedures are clearly outlined in the Admissions section of the college catalog and on the NHTI website. A statement of nondiscrimination is prominently displayed on the inside cover of the college catalog. The admission and retention policies and procedures are clear, consistent with the college's mission and purposes, and available to all students and prospective students through publications such as the college catalog, program brochures, and website.
Admission and retention policies ensure that student qualifications and expectations are compatible with institutional objectives. Individuals admitted demonstrate, through their intellectual and personal qualifications, a reasonable potential for success in college. Some programs have additional admission requirements, beyond the college's general admission requirements, which are applied in cooperation with the Admissions Office. For example, students who plan to apply to the Nursing or Dental Hygiene programs must take the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Examination-RN. Every student admitted to NHTI is required to take a battery of assessment tests prior to initial registration for classes. Such mechanisms receive sufficient support and are adequate to the needs of those admitted. This battery includes assessments in reading, writing, and math skills, a study strategies inventory, computer literacy, and academic counseling provided through the college's Learning Center. Based on past assessments, the college has identified subject areas in which many students need developmental or remedial support in order to prepare for collegiate study and does offer appropriate learning support opportunities, including peer and professional tutoring, reading and writing centers and math lab, and pre-college-level courses in algebra, writing, and science. Such testing and remediation receive sufficient support and are adequate to serve the needs of students admitted, as evidenced by student academic success.
To ensure academic success of students admitted with special needs, such as disabilities, appropriate mechanisms are utilized to address those needs so that there are reasonable opportunities for success. As stated in the Policies and Procedures Manual for Services Available for Students with Disabilities, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, NHTI is committed to making their college experiences successful. NHTI recognizes a student with a disability as anyone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The Coordinator of Disabilities Services coordinates the provision of reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. All reasonable accommodations are individualized, flexible, and confidential based on the nature of the disability and the academic environment.
The student population of New Hampshire Technical Institute is comprised of full-time and part-time, matriculating and non-matriculating, commuter and residential students. The 2004 Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data [IPED] report cited a full-time fall semester enrollment of 807 men and 837 women. Part-time figures were 627 and 1345, respectively. Approximately 98% of the total enrollment of 3616 was from New Hampshire and 3029 were self-described white, non-Hispanic. The numbers of Hispanic, African-American, and Asian students, while relatively small, represent a steady increase over the past decade. NHTI recruits two groups, athletes and high school valedictorians, the latter group part of a New Hampshire Community Technical College [NHCTC] System initiative. All students have access to the full range of established academic and student support services designed to enhance the chances of student success.
There has been an increase in cultural diversity at NHTI over the last several years. Here the term "diversity" mainly involves those students whose native language is not English or who were born and grew up in countries other than the United States. These include new immigrants, refugees, international students with student visas, and temporary residents such as short term visitors. The Office of Cross-Cultural Education at NHTI has compiled a data base showing that NHTI has a diverse student body from at least 45 countries, speaking 42 languages as their native language. About 170 students receive services on a regular basis, including advising, counseling, tutoring, test accommodation, and community networking. Over the past academic year, for example, 16 ESOL classes (including a section of PC Applications (IT 102)), specifically designed for ESOL students) were offered with a total enrollment of 110, speaking 22 languages. Several international groups were hosted at NHTI, including visiting scholars and students from Japan, and the Cultural Exchange Club has initiated the Annual Multicultural Day. Recently, a team charter was approved for a Cultural Competence Team, whose purpose is to initiate and facilitate activities to promote an increasing awareness of diversity through all aspects of campus life.
Decisions about the continuing academic standing of enrolled students are based upon clearly stated policies published in the college catalog, Student Handbook, and on the college website. These policies address academic progress, academic warnings, academic probation, suspension, conditional probation partnership, and the appeals process. These policies are applied by faculty and administered by the Office of Academic Affairs. Appeals are heard by the Academic Standards Committee as described in the catalog and Student Handbook. The Adjunct Faculty Handbook, which is also available on the college's website, addresses such policies as add/drop of courses, the grading system, grade appeal, and midterm warnings. Additional information about student academic standing is available through the Registrar and the Student Information System.
NHTI has several mechanisms for measuring student success. For example, data regarding the number of graduates is collected and tracked by the Registrar and is published in the catalog. Department Heads include FTE numbers and graduation rates in their annual reports submitted to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. (There is no campus-wide report of this data. Raw numbers of students are tracked but retention is not tracked by the college). Many of the initiatives which support student success have come through the Academic Success Council, which has worked on issues of academic preparedness, retention, and graduation over the past ten years. Initiatives such as placement testing, the first-year experience, and the position of "drop-in" academic advisor for non-matriculated students have resulted from the Academic Success Council's research and analysis of data in these areas.
NHTI, as a community college, seeks to meet the needs of all its current (Fall 2005) 3069 students, 9% of whom are residents and 91% of whom commute. The college is committed to offering an array of student services appropriate to its mission and the needs and goals of the students, including the following: specific academic support services, the safety of students, information resources and services, information technology, academic advising and career services, complaint and appeal mechanisms, counseling, health services, and co-curricular activities. All of these aspects of college life connect to NHTI's Mission/Values/Vision statement's goals of upholding, expanding, and improving opportunities for student success, student achievement, and student participation in the life of the community.
There are substantial academic support services available through the Learning Center. Professional, and peer tutors are available throughout the day and early evening hours for virtually all subjects. The Writing Center helps students with planning, revising, and editing writing assignments for all subjects, including lab reports, narratives, essays, and research papers. The Math Lab is available on a drop-in basis and helps students decipher and learn from math texts, improve math study skills, decode mathematical symbols, hone problem-solving skills, understand how to use formulas, create and interpret tables and graphs, use scientific calculators and graphing programs, and prepare for math quizzes and tests. The Computer Learning Lab offers various types of software to assist students in course work, including computer-assisted software to refresh skills in math, the sciences, and all areas of reading and writing, and to improve typing. Through computer tutorials and practice exercises, students learn at their own pace while receiving immediate feedback. These resources are helpful in preparing for classes, reinforcing lessons, and brushing up on academic skills. Tutors also assist students with study and organizational skills as these apply to each specific course.
Academic advising is available for students in several areas. Departmental academic advising allows faculty to meet and work with students to develop curriculum selection, focus on academic and career goals, and facilitate the resolution of student problems through individual meetings and appropriate referrals to other campus services. Academic Counselors are also available in the Division of Continuing Education and the Learning Center. A part-time Academic Counselor, whose primary responsibility is non-matriculated students, provides "drop-in" services in Sweeney Hall. Career development services are available through the Office of Student Affairs to students, graduates, and potential students. Students may access Choices 2006®, an educational and career planning software, and other computerized career information services through any computer lab on campus. Current full-time and part-time job listings are also made available. The Career Counseling and Placement Officer/Transfer Counselor is located in the Student Center.
As discussed above, NHTI provides services to students with disabilities. Students are not discriminated against in terms of program admission and/or opportunities for academic success. The role of the Disabilities Advisory Board is to make recommendations about the education of the NHTI community regarding students with disabilities and services designed to meet their needs. Team membership may include faculty from several different academic departments, administrators, other staff, and students (whenever possible). On-campus professional development opportunities are provided regarding current Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] law and guidelines. The Office of Academic Affairs and the Coordinator of Disabilities Services consult with experts in the legal community (when necessary) concerning the rights of students with disabilities and the college's responsibilities to those students.
The Campus Safety Department is available on a 24-hour basis and can be reached via telephone or the Code Blue Phones strategically placed about the campus. Elevators also have emergency telephones. Campus Safety provides a wide variety of services to students, such as a walking escort service, unlocking/jump-starting motor vehicles, parking permits, lost and found, investigations, event coverage, and response to complaints and emergencies. The Campus Safety office also maintains statistical information on campus incidents of student violations. In accordance with the Campus Security Crime Act, NHTI also provides information relating to crime statistics and security measures to prospective students and employees through the Director of Campus Safety, the Vice President of Student Affairs, Campus Comments, the Student Handbook, and NHTI's website. There is no policy in place relative to the control of safety at the off-campus locations. In setting up agreements with facilities, there is an underlying expectation that the location will be safe for students. Students attending off-site classes must adhere to the NHTI Student Code of Conduct.
NHTI continually seeks to improve information resources and services for its students. For example, NHTI offers a Student Information System [SIS] accessible through the NHTI website. This online link empowers students to access personal and course specific information from on or off campus. They are provided a user name and create a personal identification number [PIN] to access personal private information. The three major content areas include personal information, faculty and advisor information, and survey participation. The Personal Information section allows them to view and update street and e-mail addresses, emergency contacts and change their PIN number as necessary. The Faculty and Advisor section provides access to course information such as term, CRN number, class summary, faculty schedule, and grades. Using this section, a student can review course schedules, grades, bursar information regarding registration fees, and scholarship status. In the survey section, students can participate in surveys intended to improve the college experience. Many courses also have an online website for course information using the Blackboard™ platform. The student also accesses this information via the NHTI website under the "Academic Information" link. The student enrolled in a course at NHTI is also enrolled as a student in the Blackboard™ site for that course.
In addition, through the FACTS/e-Cashier software program, students are able to set up a payment plan for tuition. Other services include wireless/hardwire Internet available in all residence hall rooms and the Student Center and open computer labs in various academic buildings across campus. Information resources are available and supported in the library and all computer labs. Other assistance offered to students includes Blackboard™ workshops, the Help Desk, and applications workshops offered in the Learning Center. Other services provided to students are as follows: Complaint and appeal mechanisms are available through the Judicial Process and are publicized in the Student Handbook; students can take on-line or regular courses at other NHCTC System colleges as part of a Consortium agreement.
The campus bookstore contract, a system-wide contract, has two years of the five of the original contract remaining, expiring on June 30, 2008. In the fall of 2005, Campus Stores of MA, Inc., was sold to Follett Higher Education Group, which manages its own website. There is on-line availability to all campuses. The bookstore is open during hours that are accessible to students (8:30 to 5:30 Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 to 3:00 on Friday), and during the first two to three weeks of each semester, evenings and Saturdays as well. 7.5% of the bookstore's gross sales are given back quarterly to the students, 60% of which goes toward intercollegiate and recreational programming, and 40% of which goes toward the Short Term Applied Loan fund available to students scheduled to receive financial aid, to help with books and materials costs. ISBN lists are posted at the bookstore at least two weeks prior to the beginning of a semester and can also be found on the college's website.
Services provided by the Institute to all students include admissions information (including orientations and "open houses"), financial aid counseling (including grant programs administered by the Federal Government, the State, the Institute, and private entities as well as specialized financial aid services such as the Transition Program, a federally funded program which provides financial assistance to individuals such as single pregnant women, single parents, students with documented disabilities, and students for whom English is not their first language as well as counseling and personal support).
The Health Services Office provides preventative and educational programs and cost-effective quality care to all students and maintains active involvement with the academic community. The State of New Hampshire has licensed the Health Services Office as an Educational Health Center annually since September 1997. Staffed by the Director of Health Services (who is a registered nurse practitioner and also serves on the nursing faculty) and a Licensed Practical Nurse, the Health Services Office provides primary care for students five days a week and one evening. Lab services and starter doses of over-the-counter medications are available, and the nurse practitioner has full prescriptive authority for other medical needs. A rigorous immunization-tracking program is provided to comply with the guidelines for residence life and for internships at various clinical sites. Low-cost insurance provided by an independent agent is available for students who lack basic medical coverage. Provisions for weekend and after-hours health care needs are in place for referral to appropriate providers. Incident reports of a health-related nature are referred to Health Services for follow-up. Consultation and referral for specialty and emergency care is available when students require services that cannot be provided by the Health Services Office. They are referred to off-campus physicians, health centers, or Concord Hospital. Health Education outreach is accomplished through ongoing workshops and seminars under the supervision of the Director of Health Services. Nursing students and health education interns are actively involved in developing and presenting educational programming. College-wide wellness activities, including an annual Wellness Fair and programs focusing on health and wellness issues for college-age students such as drug education and sexually transmitted diseases, are also supervised by the Health Services Office. Students requiring psychological health care can make arrangements for services through the Office of Student Affairs. Students are self-referred or are referred by faculty, staff, family, or friends. Short-term personal adjustment counseling and crisis intervention are offered on campus. Students in need of specialized or long-term counseling are referred to off-campus community agencies. Referrals to outside agencies must be paid by the student. Residence Hall students may contact their Resident Assistant or Residence Director after office hours or during weekend hours for support and referrals, if appropriate. The Director of Counseling Services communicates with community-based therapists and encourages students to do likewise to facilitate payment options that are affordable for students who are uninsured or underinsured. NHTI is a participating member of the New Hampshire Higher Education Alcohol and Other Drug [NHHEAOD] Committee, subscribing to social norms theory. NHTI also has an on-campus Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug [ATOD] Coalition. Every two years, the Counseling Office administers the NHHEAOD Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug survey to obtain anonymously reported student data regarding their ATOD use. These data are intended to assist with program/education development to promote low-risk choices, social norms data, and to reduce alcohol and other drug use. The Director of Student Development and Counseling Services and the Director of Health Services collaborate to provide integrated, holistic health care services, as well as education programs that are offered campus-wide. In the fall of 2005, for example, NHTI served as the host for the second statewide New Hampshire College and University Tobacco Summit in collaboration with the American Cancer Society.
All departments within Student Affairs submit end of semester reports in the fall and spring to the Vice President of Student Affairs. These reports include semester statistics and evaluation of each department's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Student activities are designed to promote and develop cooperative student relationships, student leadership, balance between work and leisure, general college/Institute spirit, public relations, and physical fitness. Therefore, co-curricular activities include clubs and organizations, film, lecture, dramatic and literary presentations, intercollegiate and intramural athletics, social events, educational and professional trips, and Residence Life-associated activities. With some exceptions, these activities are offered at no expense to students. In order to encourage participation in co-curricular activities, the college provides a two-hour activity period on Tuesdays from noon to 2:00 p.m., during which no classes are scheduled. The college provides and schedules space to accommodate all approved student activities. In addition, announcements of activities are made via flyers, Campus Comments, faculty/staff announcements, the Campus Activities Board's e-mail and posters, NHTI's home page, and local newspapers. Weekend and evening activities are also scheduled. All students are welcomed, regardless of full-time, part-time, commuter, resident, day or evening status, and all are encouraged to participate in student enrichment activities.
The college has an active Student Senate, as well as scholarship and service organizations and some curriculum-infused service opportunities. Organizations such as Phi Theta Kappa, the Student Nurses Association, the Student Early Childhood Association, Campus Activities Board, the Multicultural Club, and the Alternative Spring Break Club promote both student leadership and campus and community involvement. Guidelines for establishing a student organization are clearly outlined in the Student Handbook. The Institute currently has 25 approved clubs and organizations, many of which are departmental professional organizations. Each student organization must have a faculty/staff advisor who is approved by the Vice President of Student Affairs. Advisors to student clubs/organizations are usually full-time faculty members, although staff members and adjunct faculty have also been selected and approved by the Vice President of Student Affairs. Formal semiannual meetings are held with advisors to discuss their roles in the greater campus community and their specific club or organization. Advisors meet individually with the Vice President of Student Affairs to discuss particular needs or problems.
To balance work and leisure, there are several venues available. During the academic year, the Friday Night film series, held bi-weekly, has been a huge success as has the lecture series organized by the Wings of Knowledge Team. Guest speakers for Counseling Office-sponsored programs such as "The Transgender Experience," "Trafficking of Women and Children: How Do We Limit the Abuse?," "Multicultural Gender Roles," "Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft," "Surviving the Breakup of a Relationship," and "Moving From Homophobia Into Gay Marriage" as well as the annual Celebration of Women in History Banquet provide opportunities for the student to explore new concepts in an informal setting. The English Department-sponsored poetry readings are popular as well, with three guest poets thus far. These programs are open to the entire campus and the community at large.
Convocation in the fall, held since 2002 and sponsored by the Academic Success Council, brings the entire campus together to celebrate the start of the new school year. Guest speakers and musical offerings have enhanced this spirit-building event. The fall and spring barbecues are anticipated events that promote general college spirit.
Service Learning has become a priority at NHTI and incorporated into many programs of study through collaboration with the Service Learning Team. Additionally, students are provided with 25 opportunities for service to the community, as listed on the NHTI website. These activities are sponsored by the Coordinator of Campus Activities and Community Service Programs, with the assistance of the AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer hosted annually by NHTI through Campus Compact for New Hampshire, who advises and mentors our students through many leadership and volunteer events. Community partners and contact persons are listed for those students desiring to enhance their education in this manner.
The Child and Family Development Center [CFDC] opened in the fall of 2001 following the construction of the new building on campus. The goals of the CFDC are to integrate education and training of students in the Early Childhood Education program as well as offer childcare services to students, faculty, staff, and the community. At present, 50 children can be accommodated in the program during the day. There are three classrooms, including the Infant/Toddler, Preschool, and Family Child Care room. Enrollment begins with the application process and availability of space. Currently children of students represent the majority of the part-time spaces and a few of the full-time spaces. This flexibility helps to address needs based on the student's semester schedule. NHTI students receive a discount in fees for childcare tuition. Certain single and low-income parents are informed of a state reimbursement program offered by the Department of Health and Human Services. This reimbursement program is based on need according to a sliding scale, and many receive reimbursement of up to 75-80%.
NHTI is the only college in the NHCTC system to offer housing to its students. Three residence halls house approximately 350 students, with substantial wait lists created every fall semester. A Residence Life Handbook, provided to each residential student, delineates residence life policies and procedures which, in conjunction with a Student Success Initiative, are aimed at developing a supportive community living environment. Chartwells is the organization contracted to provide dining services to both resident and commuter students. There are several meal plans available to students that can be used at either the cafeteria in Little Hall or the Bistro in Sweeney Hall. For the commuter, block meal and flex dollar plans are available. The Food Service Team reviews the overall food service and makes recommendations for improvements. A Student Affairs Brochure is published and distributed to students with the description, nature, and extent of student services as well as the availability of such services. This brochure is distributed at Open Houses, Orientations, and other new student functions and is available in the Office of Student Affairs and other various locations on campus. In addition to this brochure, there is also access to the availability and extent of student services on the NHTI website and in the NHTI catalog and Student Handbook that is mailed to students in CD-ROM format. Brochures specific to the services of individual Student Affairs departments are also made available in various locations around campus, as well as at NHTI Orientations and Open Houses.
NHTI currently provides four separate orientations throughout the summer for the fall semester and one orientation for the spring semester to inform incoming students and their families about student services. There is ample time and opportunity to ask questions of faculty, staff, current students, and alumni of the college. In addition, there are table displays set up and staffed in a format that allows students to gather information and handouts and discuss the many student services NHTI has to offer, and specialized workshops are offered for students and their families such as "NHTI Athletics: Workshop for Athletes and Parents;" "Investing in Your Success:" "Disabilities Services;" "Single Parents/Older Students Returning to College;" and "Residence Life. A Family Guide," which outlines college policies and local community services, is also available for families and guests. Academic department presentations and student registration with department heads are held throughout the day. At the conclusion of orientation activities, incoming students and guest are invited to complete an evaluation of the day's activities and presentation of information. The results of these evaluations are discussed and taken into consideration through teams and committees responsible for doing the planning and implementation.
In addition to Orientations, there are several Open Houses where prospective students may gain much of the same information about NHTI with the same opportunity to ask questions and learn about student services and academic departments. At this time, students who are currently attending NHTI are available to give tours and testimonials about NHTI to the general public. Both the Orientations and Open Houses focus on academic opportunities. All departments are represented at both of these forums and faculty are available for registering students, answering questions, and giving explanations of the discipline.
The NHTI website is continuously updated and used very frequently. According to the website Graphic Designer/Website Coordinator, during 2004 the average daily use of the website was 59,250 hits. Of these uses, 32,248 were from the greater community and computers outside of the New Hampshire Community Technical College System. The website is a great resource and publicity tool for the school and promotes activities and programs to the community. Postings, flyers, Campus Comments, announcements, admissions packets, the Student Handbook, the college catalog, many campus brochures and word of mouth are some of the ways NHTI communicates with the students, faculty and staff. There is also a mailer that goes out prior to the start of each semester to all students registered to take classes. This mailer has a letter from the Student Senate President and the Coordinator of Campus Activities and Community Service Programs about all of the new initiatives on campus. On the inside of this mailer is an activities list for the upcoming semester. These publicity tools are used for programs, leadership opportunities, and activities to be announced to the campus.
A friendly and inviting atmosphere on campus supported by faculty and staff encourages students to get involved and work closely with them. Student clubs and organizations, sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs, provide opportunities for employment and volunteering, thus encouraging leadership, civic engagement, and motivation. NHTI makes an effort to assess the effectiveness and availability of support services through evaluations of programs, volunteering events, leadership presentations, and workshops. Internships, Federal Work Study, student hourly work, volunteering, and the AmeriCorps education awards are a few of the ways that students can take advantage of great training and skill-building activities. In many instances, there is also some compensation either toward their school loans and tuition or for indirect expenses. All students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of one or more of these extra-curricular activities in order to build their résumé, gain skills, and make networking connections with the community.
Student financial aid is provided through a well-organized program. Awards are based on the equitable application of clear and publicized criteria, which are outlined in the NHTI 2005-2006 Student Handbook and on the NHTI website, and posted on the bulletin boards outside the Financial Aid Office. Four types of financial aid available are grants, loans, Federal work study, and scholarships. Estimated financial aid awards are provided to students in a timely manner. The Financial Aid Office mails information on how to apply for financial aid to all in-coming students and offers a brochure to each student, supplied by the U.S. Department of Education, with step-by-step instructions. Students requesting assistance to fill out the FAFSA may come to the financial aid office. To assist qualified students with the tuition increase for the 2005-2006 academic year, the NHCTC Board of Trustees created a grant of a one-time award of between $250 and $500 per student (depending on the amount of tuition, the grade point average, and the amount of credits completed).
Students are encouraged to take on a leadership role in clubs and organizations by holding an office and/or taking the lead on a new initiative or project; most campus governance teams (including the Institute Leadership Team) seek student representation and encourage student participation in Institute decisions and initiatives. In the fall of 2004, NHTI sent twelve student representatives to a leadership conference at Southern New Hampshire University to attend workshops and presentations about leadership and collaboration opportunities. Attendance at this conference was encouraged and funded by the NHTI Student Senate, which also participates in an annual national Student Leadership Conference. In both the spring and fall semesters of 2005, Nancy Denny, a specialist in motivation and leadership, gave a presentation to students about taking on a leadership role. In addition, the Orientation Leader program identifies students within the student population who demonstrate leadership qualities and provides an opportunity for those students to contribute to and exemplify these qualities at orientations. Being an Orientation Leader has become one of the more popular opportunities for students and continues to flourish with an increase in interested students each semester. Also, beginning in the fall 2005 semester, a new leadership opportunity, the Peer Mentor Program, was initiated. Students recruited to be mentors have completed at least 12 credits, have been successful academically, and are in their second year. Faculty help mentors identify students that are having difficulty, mentors attend selected classes, attend a weekly 2-credit seminar, and meet with their departmental faculty advisor. Student leaders are recognized and awarded at many receptions throughout the year. NHTI Awards Day is held annually, during which student leaders are recognized and commended for their work and roles in developing activities and programs.
In the past year there have been several new grant initiatives awarded to NHTI through Campus Compact for New Hampshire for Service Learning, Federal Work Study, Cultural Competency, and Community Service. All of these grants encourage leadership and require student representation on the steering committee. All of these grants are being implemented, and students are learning the process and taking the lead on much of the programming and implementing of these funds.
Student Senate is the on-campus student government. Senators are elected by the individual academic departments and make decisions that affect the rest of their peers regarding funding, programming, and student involvement.
All of the following awards recognize and encourage students to become involved in community service. In 2003, NHTI as an institution received the Volunteer NH! Spirit of New Hampshire Higher Education Award for Community Service. Other members of the campus were recognized at the Campus Compact for New Hampshire annual Presidents' Award Ceremony. A faculty member was recognized for her contributions to Service Learning, a campus organization was given honors for its community service efforts, a student was honored for her community service, and a community partner was given praise for collaboration with NHTI. In the future it is important to continue to recognize these efforts.
NHTI's Dr. Goldie Crocker Wellness Center serves as the center of athletic programming and recreational offerings, both intercollegiate and intramural, for both men and women. Day and evening students are assessed a student activity fee which is utilized to defray various expenses related to student athletics. Some fundraising has been conducted to offset some post-season travel expenses. Current intramural activities offered to students, faculty, and staff include aerobics, Tai Chi, yoga, fitness training, walking, flag football, poker tournaments, dodgeball, basketball, volleyball, ski discounts, golf discounts, self-defense class discounts, indoor soccer, leagues, and tournaments. Additionally, several 5K road races are sponsored by NHTI departments. Information regarding these races is available on the NHTI website under the Campus Life section.
Eight intercollegiate varsity teams are available for student participation, including basketball, baseball, volleyball, softball, and soccer. Four are women's sports, and four are men's sports. All are required to meet Institute and USCAA eligibility criteria. NHTI's varsity teams have won such titles as the 2005 USCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship; the 2005 Yankee Small College Championships in soccer, both men's and women's; the 2005 Northern Small College Championships in baseball and softball; and the 2005 Yankee Small College Championship in women's volleyball. NHTI's athletic program is robust and well-supported by the entire campus, including students, faculty, and staff.
Educational and academic requirements are the same for all students regardless of athletic participation. These requirements are set forth in the college catalog and Student Handbook. USCAA standards are adhered to and are available on the USCAA website as well as through a link from the NHTI website. Some USCAA requirements may be more stringent than NHTI standards. There has been academic advising provided to athletes by a volunteer from the faculty prior to the 2005-2006 academic year, who works with the Athletic Director and faculty to help ensure the academic success of intercollegiate athletes. Planning is in process to resume this service for the 2006-2007 academic year.
Athletes are required to have documentation of health records in order to meet NHTI eligibility requirements. Health information regarding athletes is kept securely in the Health Services Office. There is an on-site part-time athletic trainer available to the campus to assist with achieving individual fitness goals, sports injury rehabilitation, and preparation of athletes for competition during home sporting events.
All Student Affairs staff - including administrators in Athletics, Campus Activities, Counseling, Health Services, Campus Safety, and Residential Life, as well as faculty/staff advisors to student clubs and organizations - are qualified for their positions through appropriate education, training, and professional development. All paid staff meet the requirements set forth in the Supplemental Job Descriptions designated for each position by the State Department of Personnel and are eligible for staff development funds. According to an analysis of Student Affairs' Residence Life training materials, training includes formal instruction, internship, mentoring and/or role modeling, and regular staff meetings. Athletics/Wellness Center staff members receive on-site training and orientation and attend staff meetings; part-time athletic coaches receive supplemental training and maintain contact with the Athletic Director via e-mail, both during active season and off-season. The Coordinator of Campus Activities and Community Service Programs, the Vice President of Student Affairs, and the faculty advisor to the Student Senate hold semiannual meetings with faculty/staff club advisors for orientation and training purposes as well as one-on-one meetings to assist with any concerns that arise. The Director of Campus Safety ensures institutional physical compliance with ADA regulations for students with disabilities. The Director of Residence Life oversees the Residential Life program and promotes on-going training of Residential Life staff, including the dissemination of Residential Assistant [RA] training materials based upon Association of College and University Housing Organization International [ACUHOI] guidelines. Training materials include RA self-assessment tools, role modeling, mentoring, crisis management, leadership training, and ethics.
The Student Center, which opened in the fall of 2005, has brought under one roof many nonacademic student support services. Office space for student clubs and organizations, recreation space, and an outdoor patio are intended to provide expanded services to all students. The Vice President of Student Affairs, the Office of Career Counseling and Placement, the Director of Residence Life, Counseling Services, Health Services, and the Coordinator of Campus Activities and Community Service Programs are now centrally located in this new building.
The Dr. Goldie Crocker Wellness Center gymnasium not only serves college athletics but is also utilized for large functions such as Convocation, the Transfer Fair, Orientation, the Community Services Fair, the Wellness Fair, the Student Clubs and Organizations Fair, the NHCTC System Symposium Day, and many functions offered by community-based organizations. Student activity fees, athletic field rentals, gymnasium rentals, and commissioned income (bookstore sales, vending machines, laundry services, etc.) continue to be the primary sources of funds for maintenance of the Wellness and Student Centers. The NHCTC System is now a participating member of the New Hampshire College & University Council which offers an annual statewide job fair available to all students enrolled in the NHCTC System colleges.
Residence Halls have met and/or exceeded state regulations for fire safety (including a sprinkler system) and security (swipe-card access, motion detectors, window sensors). Residence Halls are equipped with Internet access for all residents. Small computer/printer labs in residence halls provide access to word-processing and spreadsheet applications.
Policies on student rights and responsibilities, which include Student Code of Conduct, Civil Rights/Equity policies and procedures, and Judicial policies and procedures, were developed based on national guidelines and standards. Student services are guided by institutional, state, and federal ethical guidelines. Policies pertaining to students' academic rights and responsibilities are stated in the on-line Student Handbook. Students are governed by the Student Code of Conduct and the judicial policies and procedures, which apply to all activities, whether academic or co-curricular. Many individual programs provide students with Professional Standards and Codes of Ethics for their disciplines. Policies governing student behavior at practicum, internship, and clinical sites have been developed by all Allied Health departments, the Human Service, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and the Information Technology departments. Instructors and/or department heads distribute and review this information with students prior to the start of their clinic/internship/practicum
Student privacy rights are protected through adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies and procedures. Policies pertaining to the privacy, retention, confidentiality, and release of student records are available in offices throughout the campus and in the Student Handbook. The Student Handbook explains students' rights and responsibilities under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act [FERPA] of 1974.
Active student (current matriculated students) and graduate files are stored in lockable fireproof cabinets located in the Registrar's Office. Newly accepted and registered student files are moved from the Admissions Office to the Registrar's Office. Registrar's Office staff verify all folders, and then files are interfiled into the Active Student files. Inactive student files are stored in a locked storage closet located on the first floor of Sweeney Hall and are kept for five years, then destroyed. Archived class and grade rosters are also stored in a locked cabinet in the first floor storage room in Sweeney Hall. Transcripts of students from 1965-1991 are stored on CD-ROM and are loaded on a server in White Hall. Original paper transcripts from 1965-1991 are stored with State Archives. Faculty are required by the Office of Academic Affairs to retain student grades for five years.
Files on students who are not accepted, do not register, or withdraw prior to the start of the semester for which they are accepted are kept in the Admissions Office for two years, then dead-filed in the first-floor storage area in Sweeney Hall. Current admissions files are stored in lockable file cabinets. Two years worth are stored in the Admissions Office, and the third year is stored in the locked Sweeney Hall storage area.
Financial Aid keeps all active files in the Financial Aid Office. All files must be kept for three years; files for the past two years are stored in file cabinets in the office, and the third year is stored in the locked Sweeney Hall storage closet. Financial Aid is required to keep only Perkins Loan files in fireproof cabinets; Perkins files must be kept for three years after the loans are paid off and are then destroyed. Financial Aid inactive files are located in locked files in the Financial Aid office. They are kept for three years and then destroyed.
Medical records and counseling records are kept for seven years in locked file cabinets in the offices of Health Services and Counseling Services, respectively. The Director of Health Services and the Director of Student Development and Counseling Services are responsible for their destruction.
Security files are maintained by the Director of Campus Safety in the offices on the second floor of the Business Office; the office is locked at all times unless personnel are present.
Disabilities Services' confidential student records are maintained by the Coordinator of Disabilities Services and are kept in a locked file in the Coordinator's office in the Learning Center. Archives for these records are located in the basement of the Business Office; access is restricted to the Coordinator of Disabilities Services.
Residence Life keeps copies of contracts and financial records for seven years, and then these records are destroyed. These records are stored in South Hall in a locked file cabinet. Discipline records are not kept after the students' graduation.
NHTI follows mandatory requirements of the State of New Hampshire in conjunction with the recommendations of the American Associate of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, which can be found in its publication Retention of Records: A Guide for Retention and Disposal of Student Records. Records retention and disposal information can be obtained from the State of New Hampshire Division of Records Management and Archives and Department of Education.
NHTI utilizes an independent data disposal company for destruction of records, such as inactive student files, graduate files, financial aid records, admissions files, registration forms, and other confidential paperwork. Upon request, this company destroys data and issues a "Certificate of Destruction" after the destruction has been completed. In addition, many administrative offices have small shredders to shred confidential paperwork.
NHTI provides opportunities for co-curricular service-learning experiences and systematically assesses their achievement. The Service Learning Leadership Team oversees all service-learning-related activities and conducts an annual review of its strategic plan. In addition, service learning projects are evaluated after each project is completed at the end of each semester by students, faculty, and community partners. When students are recruited from classes and placed in the community for community service opportunities, each class presents its service experience in a reflective activity at the end of the semester.
The Student Senate sets goals to develop student leadership, to encourage the spirit of volunteerism, to encourage professional development, and to create an awareness of academic, campus, and community needs. Student participation in the student government and other campus teams and activities is a measure of how successfully these goals have been met. Meetings are held twice during the academic year with all club and organization advisors and on an as-needed basis to review student participation and club/organization effectiveness. Campus activities sponsored by the Campus Activities Board are also periodically evaluated through written evaluations.
The Institute assesses its effectiveness in admitting and retaining students in the following ways: prior to admission to a program, students are evaluated for prerequisite requirements; immediately following acceptance, students are assessed via a battery of placement tests that measure their level of skills and knowledge in mathematics, writing ability, reading comprehension, computer literacy, and study strategies. Once matriculated, students are provided with a full complement of academic and other support services. Individual programs are responsible for tracking graduation rates and transfer and employment information. As a result of assessment of student retention rates, program review, and mission requirements, changes in curriculum and student services are on-going. For example, many additions to the standard curriculum have resulted from identifying the needs of the wide range of learners - honors courses for the more independent learner, English-Speakers-of-Other-Languages [ESOL] courses for the non-native speakers of English, Learning Support courses for students needing more structured guidance.
In recent years, the appropriateness of the Institute's admission and retention efforts have been evaluated using a variety of assessment tools including the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory and the Community College Survey of Student Engagement [CCSSE].
The Academic Success Council collaborates with Academic and Student Affairs and administrative departments to create the environment and support mechanisms for the promotion of student success in college. The team goals include exploring and initiating academic and co-curricular activities and strategies to help build community and retain students, working with Department Heads and other relevant parties to develop, share and disseminate best practices that support retention efforts, and evaluating the effectiveness of success initiatives by collecting and examining qualitative and quantitative data.
Appraisal
In keeping with its stated mission, NHTI provides an environment that fosters the intellectual and personal development of its students through equitable admission practices and numerous support services designed to maximize student success. Student support services are designed to meet the variety of student needs related to learning, safety, information resources and technology, academic advising, career services, problem solving, and complaint resolution. Steps have been taken to provide broader student access through the implementation of on-line registration and on-line Bookstore information.
NHTI widely publicizes written policy, procedures, and ethical standards pertaining to student conduct in the annual Student Handbook, which is available on-line and in CD-ROM format. NHTI conducts a regular and systematic assessment of its effectiveness in admitting and retaining students as well as the appropriateness and effectiveness of its student services to advance institutional purposes. The information obtained through these assessments is utilized to revise these goals and services for the purpose of improving service delivery.
Off-site safety issues are not addressed in the college's Employee Handbook or employee orientation.
A wide variety of intercollegiate and intramural recreational and athletic opportunities are offered at NHTI in keeping with conference and college standards for academic requirements and standards of integrity. Educational standards are the same for all students regardless of athletic participation.
Developing student leadership qualities among our students has become a priority at NHTI. Currently, many leadership opportunities are posted and available for students through various channels such as flyers, posters, handouts, class presentations, and a variety of fairs, e-mail lists, and mailing. New initiatives, such as the Orientation Leader Program and the Peer Mentoring Program, and campus team membership opportunities, such as the Green Team, have provided students with broader leadership opportunities in addition to the more traditional student government roles. The presence of an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer on campus is beneficial as a role model and enhances leadership opportunities for NHTI students, the administration recognizes the importance of maintaining this volunteer position or sustaining the position by hiring a full- or part-time staff member. The effectiveness of student leadership programs and activities is evaluated and assessed formally and informally. Since students are enrolled typically for only two or three years, the college recognizes the importance of cultivating and nurturing interest in leadership opportunities to maintain a level of involvement in leadership roles.
Funding for Student Affairs activities is adequate and is based upon annual budget requests submitted by Student Affairs personnel, past years' expenditures, and fiscal projections. However, athletic programs, the Wellness Center, Health Services, and the Student Center are dependent upon enrollment figures for their operational budgets. Increased enrollment over the past seven to eight years and additional income from community rental of athletic fields and facilities have provided ample funding for student activities in these areas, but at some point, additional funds may not be available for unexpected opportunities and/or operational expenses (e.g., staffing, post-season athletic participation, etc.)
While career counseling and placement services are available, they are not extensive and they are not centralized. In the past, limited space prevented expansion of these services. Some career counseling and placement information is still available in the Student Affairs area, while other information and services are housed in the Learning Center. In addition, career counseling and some job placement opportunities are available through academic departments. For example, the Institute Career Counselor presents a "Résumé Writing and Interviewing Techniques" seminar to the senior nursing students in their final semester before graduation. In addition, the 500 students who take the one-credit General Studies Seminar (GS 100) every year may chose to complete a résumé and cover letter assignment. In the process of completing this assignment, students are made aware of career counseling and placement services available at the Institute. Learning Center evaluations indicate that students return to the Learning Center to utilize these services at least once a semester and between twice a semester and once a month.
Due to retirements, job transfers, and open positions, the Financial Aid Office had experienced staff shortages for the last several years. As of the fall of 2005, the Financial Aid Office is now fully staffed with a Financial Aid director, an assistant director, and two program coordinators. Information about the scholarships available to students is posted on the college's website, but the website is only updated annually. Current information and updates are shared with the campus via Campus Comments and the scholarship bulletin board in Sweeney Hall. There are currently no plans to obtain feedback on financial aid processes.
The policies regarding the continuing academic standing of students are well articulated, and the process is clearly published and accessible to students and faculty. The Academic Standards Committee follows the stated guidelines in reviewing student academic progress at the end of each semester and in hearing student appeals of program suspensions and dismissals. There is no consistent practice, and there are no published institutional guidelines regarding the retention of academic advising records.
NHTI does not have a formal policy regarding the recruitment of specific populations, nor does it actively seek to increase diversity. However, the existing diversity of our student population is representative of the local community.
A clear policy on recruitment of student athletes does not exist, and there is currently no Institute-wide plan to follow their success while on campus. However, the Athletic Director and a volunteer faculty member will meet with the Vice President of Academic Affairs during the spring of 2006 to develop a plan for advising students involved in intercollegiate athletics.
Evaluation of student activities occurs inconsistently. For example, service learning and community service projects are evaluated regularly to determine the value and effectiveness of the experience, but activities and programs are not consistently evaluated on a regular basis for effectiveness and student interest. Although there is a written policy and procedure for student clubs and organizations to follow regarding the evaluation of functions, the required form is currently under development
Room and board services are continually assessed and improved as needed. Through contracted arrangement with Chartwells dining services, many flexible dining options are available for the resident and commuter student. Prepaid meal plans, flex dollars, or cash are payment options for the dining hall in Little Hall as well as the Bistro in Sweeney Hall. Though demand for residence hall rooms is not entirely predictable, the three halls on campus have been at 100% occupancy at the beginning of each semester for the past several years. Some resident turnover occurs and is expected; still, the lack of room availability usually results in a waiting list.
With the opening of the newly constructed Student Center resulting in co-location of Health and Counseling Services, student confidentiality in accessing these services is significantly improved. Coordination of the marketing of student activities will now be better centralized.
The retention data is not readily available in report form. It currently exists as raw data in the BANNER™ system. It is unclear how the rates of retention and graduation are used in setting policies. A consolidated and comprehensive approach to tracking students to assist with institutional evaluation of retention data is lacking.
Projection
Student support services will continue to be reviewed, revised, and implemented in a manner consistent with the institution's commitment to student success. NHTI will continue to admit students in an equitable manner and will devise and implement a clearly stated policy regarding recruitment of special populations. NHTI will continue to publish and follow the existing policies as outlined in its catalog, Student Handbook, and website. Policies and procedures governing student conduct, rights, and responsibilities will continue to be evaluated, revised, and disseminated on a regular basis.
The success of students in leadership roles is dependent upon support and guidance. These roles will be monitored and assessed by advisors and Student Affairs staff. The orientation program will continue to be evaluated with regard to the student leaders and the role they play.
Student Affairs personnel will continue to evaluate and revise programs, policies, and procedures to ensure that efficient and effective services are delivered to students within the confines of budgetary constraints imposed by enrollment.
Students will continue to receive estimated financial aid awards in a timely manner following their acceptance into an eligible program. The NHTI website will contain updated scholarship postings and links to financial aid documents and complete entrance and exit loan requirements, which can be accessed and completed from the website.
Evaluation of co-curricular activities will be implemented on a regular basis. Program selections will be offered based upon student interest and level of student participation. A student club and organization evaluation form will be created and universally utilized. The Wellness Center Director will continue to administer surveys on a regular basis regarding intramural and recreational activities to determine effectiveness and interest. A generic evaluation form is being developed.
A consolidated and comprehensive approach to tracking students will be developed and implemented for the purpose of evaluating retention data. NHTI will clearly state how its statistics on retention and graduation are used and whether or not their use effects any change in future recruitment or retention policies. In addition, all types of advising practices will be reviewed and evaluated to develop a plan for more uniform and effective delivery of services, and the Institute will develop, implement, and adhere to written guidelines regarding the retention of academic advising records.