Year-end reports of planning accomplishments reveal the extent to which planning has affected the direction of Mississippi College. In addition to the thirteen (13) Strategic Directions being implemented, one (1) Strategic Direction was added involving a focus on graduate education. Six (6) major planning objectives have been accomplished; significant parts of three (3) other objectives have also been achieved. In addition, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee (SPSC) focused on twenty-five (25) current and new objectives and monitored thirty-six (36) objectives.
 

This 1998-99 Year-End Report of the Strategic Planing Steering Committee is a summary of major accomplishments during the year. Agendas and minutes of the SPSC meetings reflect the broad-based involvement of the campus in the planning process as well as the resources invested in planning efforts. This summary includes reports from planning subcommittees; recommendations from the SPSC to the President, many of which originated with planning subcommittees; a detailed report on the progress of every planning objective; a list of objectives which have been completed during the 1998-99 year; a list of planning objectives which will be monitored during 1999-2000; a list of planning objectives which will need continued focus in order to move toward completion during 1999-2000; and finally a report on the assessment of the planning process at Mississippi College.
 
 
 

July 13, 1998; September 18, 1998; October 30, 1998; November 13, 1998; January 15, 1999; February 12, 1999; March 19, 1999; and May 21, 1999. Copies of agendas and meetings are included in Appendix B of this document. In addition to the regular SPSC meetings, there were numerous informal meetings and communication between and among SPSC members, planning subcommittee members, and other campus constituents.
 

Reports at Faculty and Staff Meetings. Throughout the year at general faculty and staff meetings, updates on planning have been incorporated into meeting agendas. The President frequently shares planning information with faculty and staff.

Department Chair, Dean, and Academic Council and Graduate Council Meetings. Vice President for Academic Affairs Coward has kept appropriate planning items before department chairmen, deans, and members of the Academic Council and Graduate Council throughout the school year.

Annual Report. This Year-End Report (a part of annual reporting at the university) is a summary of accomplishments of the planning process. This document is accessible to all campus employees.

Strategic Planning Home Page. The strategic planning home page needs to be redesigned if it is to be easily accessed by campus constituents and the information needs to be presented in a way that encourages participation. SPSC will need to give this means of communication more attention in the next planning year. With the entire Mississippi College web site undergoing redesign, it will be an appropriate time to redesign the strategic planning home page and to present planning information in a format more easily understood by campus constituents.
 

Much effective communication is accomplished in informal ways. Within departments and units on campus, there are attempts to make a connection to strategic goals/directions when actions are being taken. A culture is being created whereby individuals are asking how what they are doing on a daily basis is related to strategic goals/directions. Expectations of employees are being more clearly defined to embrace the concept of "moving the university forward". To move the university forward, one must know where the university is going. Therefore, there is an incentive to be informed about and to embrace the strategic directions of the university. Information must be available to employees and a desire to want to know and be involved in improving the university must be present in employees if communication is to be effective. Efforts to communicate effectively in this regard will continue.
 

A major reformatting has taken place with regard to the design of the Annual Report. Appropriate information for studying trends has been pulled together into a FACT BOOK. Unit Accomplishments and Committee Accomplishments will now be included in a second volume of the Annual Report. The reports from units and committees will link accomplishments directly to strategic goals and directions of the university. A third volume of the Annual Report will be this report: Year-End Accomplishments of Strategic Planning. There should be multiple benefits to the reporting process through this reorganization of the Annual Report, one of which is awareness of the link between unit plans and the mission, goals, and directions of the university.
 
 
 

Standing Subcommittee for Planning

Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning

Christian Environment Committee

External Environment Committee

Student Development and Services Committee 

Ad Hoc Committee for Planning

Committee to Draft a Public Relations Plan
 

Dr. Michael E. Travers, Chairman

Purpose and Goals of the Committee: The Committee serves as a liaison between the Academic Council and the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. The Committee considers issues of academic quality and may review proposals for new programs or majors that have been referred to the Strategic Planning Steering Committee.
 

Accomplishments: This year the Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning had three agenda items:
 

1. Strategic Direction 14: Graduate Education. The Strategic Planning Steering Committee asked the Academic Subcommittee on Planning to provide a Strategic Direction that represented input from a broad base of graduate faculty. After soliciting and receiving suggestions from the academic community, the following Strategic Direction and goals were approved by the Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning at its October 20, 1998 meeting:
 

Enhance, develop and provide adequate resources for graduate programs that attract students who can benefit from graduate study at Mississippi College.
 

Study potential graduate programs for viability and marketability using established criteria such as community needs, employment demand for graduates, student interest in the program, institutional support for the program, and fit with institutional mission.

Prepare and implement a recruitment strategy for graduate students who can benefit from MC programs and the MC experience.

Increase the number of graduate assistants used for administrative, teaching and research activities.

Provide assistance for graduate faculty to pursue professional development opportunities.

Provide resources appropriate to support graduate education such as faculty, graduate assistants, those expert in grantsmanship and the infrastructure to support graduate research, including finances, library holdings and information technologies.
 

2. Master of Fine Arts (Art Department): The Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning was charged with the responsibility to review the proposed Master of Fine Arts (in Art) and recommend action to the Graduate Council regarding the program. The Committee met to discuss the proposal on January 21, 1999 and prepared a list of questions for Dr. Ruth Glaze and the Art Department. The Committee met with Dr. Glaze on February 9, 1999 to discuss her answers. Dr. Glaze presented a thorough and professional response to the questions raised (which document is on file in the Graduate Office). The Committee voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the Master of Fine Arts in Art at Mississippi College.
 

3. Distance Learning: Distance Learning remained on the table during the 1998-99 academic year. The Committee did not take any action on this item; it is carried over to the 1999-2000 planning cycle.
 

Assessment of the Committee's Effectiveness: The preparation of Strategic Direction 14: Graduate Education effectively represents a cooperative effort by a large segment of the academic community in articulating appropriate and acceptable guidelines for graduate education at Mississippi College. Records of faculty suggestions are on file. The ultimate adoption of this Strategic Direction and Goals by the Strategic Planning Steering Committee indicates institutional support.
 

In regard to the Master of Fine Arts in Art, the review conducted by the Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning produced a thorough and professional Feasibility Study by the Art Department (available in the Graduate Office) that demonstrated the value, institutional fit, and feasibility of the degree program. The Graduate Council and Faculty both voted to support the Master of Fine Arts in Art.
 

Plans for 1999 -2000: 

Distance Learning remains unfinished item of study. The university will need to continue to study and consider whether distance learning is an option in the delivery of educational services.
 
 
 
 
 

Dr. William R. Townsend, Chairman

Major Purpose and Goals of the Committee: The purpose of the Committee is to assess the College's commitment "to have the essence of the Christian faith permeate the entire process of education." In addition, the committee assesses the institution's effectiveness in promoting and supporting the integration of faith into the work and daily lives of each Mississippi College person. It is the goal of the Committee to move beyond assessment and evaluation and propose tangible programs and projects which will enhance the Christian environment of Mississippi College.
 

Accomplishments of the Committee: The following are the major accomplishments:

Members of the Committee worked closely with Dr. Coward and the leaders of the Faculty Club and Staff Club to plan and coordinate the Fall Convocation on August 21,1998. 

In an effort to involve a broader section of the campus in the Christmas decoration project, the Committee worked with Anthony Britt, Director of Student Activities, and others in Student Affairs and the Baptist Student Union to provide a large Christmas tree for the "Lighting of the Quad" on Wednesday, December 2, 1998. The tree was transported to the campus and later decorated by various student groups. Members of the Committee also assisted with other Christmas decorations for the campus. Bows and wreaths were placed on buildings and light posts on the campus prior to the Thanksgiving holidays.

The Committee assisted the Mississippi College Community Service Center by acting as advisors to Dr. John Travis, Campus Supervisor, and the Center. Reports of the Center's work were presented at each meeting of the Committee.

In addition to the ongoing activities listed above, the Christian Environment Committee was asked to work on a definition of "service" for the university. The Committee was asked to work with SPSC members, Ron Howard, Lynda Street and Mary Jean Padgett on this project. These members of the SPSC met with the Christian Environment Committee on several occasions to share ideas and discuss programs. The Committee spent a great deal of time discussing various aspects of such a definition, sharing ideas gleaned from other institutions and trying to formulate a working outline. It was finally determined that the definition of service would be ever evolving and that it must be compatible with the nature of the service contemplated. Three such areas might be: service to the university, service to the community, service to one's professional discipline.
 

Plans for 1999-2000: Next year, the Committee needs to continue working on the Fall Convocation and Luncheon and the Christmas decorations for the campus. In addition, the Committee needs to engage in more assessment of the quality of the Christian environment on the campus. The Committee would also like to share ideas regarding Chapel and the First Year Experience with the Committees charged with their oversight and direction. A number of ideas surfaced during discussions but due to time constraints and jurisdictional considerations, the committee did not pursue. It is the belief of the Committee members that discussions such as these could yield tangible ideas that could enhance the Christian environment at Mississippi College. 
 

Dr. Howell Todd, Chairman

Purposes and Goals of the Committee. The subcommittee monitors the various external constituents of the University. The specific purposes of the committee are being refined in light of the segments of the environment to be monitored.
 

Accomplishments: Informal meetings and study of the external environment* have surfaced these segments to be monitored: 

Demographic segment is concerned with a population's size, age structure, geographic distribution, ethnic mix, and income distribution.

Economic segment refers to the nature and direction of the economy in which an organization competes or may compete.

Political/legal segment is the arena in which organizations and interest groups compete for attention and resources and the body of laws and regulations guiding these interactions.

Sociocultural segment is concerned with different societies' social attitudes and cultural values.

Technological segment includes the institutions and activities involved with creating new knowledge and translating that knowledge into new outputs--products, processes, and materials.

A revised description of the External Environment Committee has been drafted for consideration before a committee is appointed for the 1999-2000 year.
 

Assessment of the Committee's Effectiveness: There has been a need to set up a process whereby information from the external environment will feed into the planning process at Mississippi College. It has done so informally but as the planning process has matured and as the competitiveness in higher education has sharpened, there has surfaced a need for a more formal process for extracting important information from the external environment. This has been a year of "study" to determine how Mississippi College can best obtain the information it needs to make the best decisions. In addition, there has been attention directed toward marketing at the university and the interrelatedness between the functions of the external environment and the marketing function needed to be addressed. There is now a clearer understanding of the interrelatedness of the two.
 

Plans for 1999-2000: Plans are to assemble the appropriate individuals/groups to study these segments of the environment in terms of developments that can impact Mississippi College and to structure a reporting mechanism to have this information available to be used in the planning process.
 

Dr. John Meadors, Chairman

Purposes and Goals of the Committee: The major purposes of the Student Development and Services Committee for 1997-98 were: (1) to assist in the assessment and refinement of the Freshman Experience Program at Mississippi College; (2) to develop a plan for involving student leaders in new faculty orientation; (3) to continue the ongoing assessment of the chapel program as it relates to the strategic goals and directions of the university; and (4) to analyze in a general way the effectiveness of student services across the campus including but not limited to orientation programs, residence life, student placement and career services, and the coordination of summer events such as camps with student utilization of residence facilities. 
 

Accomplishments: The committee forwarded two suggestions to the Strategic Planning Steering Committee (SPSC) during this academic year. The first of these dealt with student involvement in new faculty orientation and the second dealt with problems currently encountered by the chapel program.

1. New Faculty Orientation Utilizing Student Leadership. The SDSC proposed that funding be provided to the Student Government Association (SGA) for the purpose of sponsoring an orientation breakfast for new faculty and selected staff during the fall semester of 1999. Detailed suggestions regarding areas of responsibility, participation, dates, and funding accompanied this proposal.

2. Suggestions Addressing Chapel. The SDSC offered a set of suggestions intended to address problems currently faced by the chapel program. These problems include: (1) the awkwardness of checking the attendance of vast numbers of students utilizing a relatively small number of faculty members using scanners; (2) student and faculty tardiness to class that results from delays in checking attendance; (3) overcrowding that is likely to intensify as the campus population increases; and (4) weak student use of the cafeteria on days when chapel meets. A total of four recommendations were submitted to the SPSC by the SDSC with these ranked according to the preference of the SDSC.

Assessment of Committee's Effectiveness: The SDSC actively seeks anecdotal evidence of student reaction to the services and development programs offered by the university. Student evaluations conducted at the conclusion of the Freshman Experience Program are to be utilized in coming months as the committee attempts to evaluate its role in the development of that program. The committee may also make use of evaluation forms submitted by senior students during their final semester as a means of gauging student satisfaction with the campus programs it addresses. In recent years the SDSC has explored the possibility of utilizing standardized student satisfaction instruments to measure the effectiveness of the university's services and development programs. High costs have prohibited the use of such instruments so far, but their use may be revisited in the coming year. The committee is pleased that its recommendations to the SPSC have been effective in encouraging the development of the Freshman Experience Program and the continued assessment of chapel.
 

Plans for 1999-2000:

Continue to monitor and evaluate the chapel program. 

Examine and assess student evaluations of the Freshman Experience Program.

Follow up on recommendations to the SPSC about involving students in new faculty orientation and implement an evaluation of that program if it is approved by the SPSC.

Examine the college calendar in regard to the use of university facilities in the summer and the effect of these uses on the life of MC students.

Examine and assess senior student evaluations of their experience at MC as a means of finding areas of student life in need of the SDSC's attention.
 

Dr. Billy Lytal, Chairman

Purpose and Goals of Committee: The Committee to Draft a Public Relations Plan was formed as a part of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee to make recommendations in an effort to improve the College's image; and to develop consistency in the College's public image and in all internal and external communications. This committee has been responsible for designing strategies to accomplish SD11: Develop a Comprehensive Public Relations Plan.
 

Accomplishments: The image of the University is crucial to the following processes: Recruitment, Development, Baptist Relations, and Community Relations. With this information in mind, the Committee accomplished the following:

1. Recommended Public Relations Administrative Structure 

2. Recommended guidelines for unified publications

3. Recommended a single University spokesperson

4. Recommended consistent unified University advertising

5. Developed a Crisis Management Plan

6. Recommended the establishment of a Speakers Bureau

7. Recommended a training session for the speakers

8. Recommended a Crisis Intervention training session for faculty and staff

9. Recommended unified recruiting literature.
 

Monitoring Function

The public relations office continues to monitor the image in the media utilizing a clipping service to note the magnitude and content of the articles printed in the area media.

The Admissions office keeps records on the number of ACT applications sent to the University.

The Graduate Office keeps records on the number of calls coming into the Graduate Office.
 

New Committee

The Subcommittee to Draft a Public Relations Plan recommended to SPSC the restructuring of this planning subcommittee and the Advertising Committee into one committee, the Marketing Committee. At its February 12, 1999 meeting, the SPSC agreed with this restructuring and recommended to the President that the Marketing Committee replace these two committees. The President approved this restructuring. The Sub-Committee to Draft a Public Relations Plan drafted these guidelines for the new committee:
 

Description of Function:

Develop, assess, administer, and maintain a University-wide marketing plan.

(This will include the establishment of an annual advertising calendar and budget. The committee will be charged with developing and maintaining generic "University Image.")

Assess with the development and implementation of marketing plans for academic units.

Oversee the purchase, placement and development of advertising for the University.

Oversee the distribution of funds related to the University's marketing efforts.

Evaluate and oversee participation in new marketing opportunities as they arise.

Develop a tracking system to continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the University's

marketing activities. 
 

Guidelines for Distribution of Funds: Funds allocated for the University's marketing efforts should be distributed in accordance with the following guidelines: 
 

All requests for funds shall be submitted in writing to the chair of the Marketing Committee. 

Requests shall be considered at the committee's next regularly-scheduled meeting, unless the timing of the requests warrants consideration in a more timely manner. In this case, the chair will communicate and receive feedback regarding the request from the committee via phone or e-mail. 

Requests should be directly related to curriculum promotion and advancement. 

The entity requesting funding must have a "Marketing Plan" in place prior to requesting funds. 

In order to receive approval, all requests for funding must be consistent with the University-wide marketing plan.
 

Suggested Marketing Management Committee Members:

Chair to be named by President of the University

Public Relations Director

Graduate Dean

Marketing Professor

Representative from Institutional Advancement

Representative from Continuing Education

Sports Information Director

Director of Admissions

Director of Alumni Relations
 

Suggested Marketing Advisory Board:

In order to ensure as much input as possible, the committee recommends a campus-wide advisory board composed of the Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Church Relations. The function of this committee is to recommend programs and areas of the University which need to be marketed and promoted.
 

Assessment of the Committee's Effectiveness: The Subcommittee to Draft a Public Relations Plan has completed its goals. SPSC voted at the February 12, 1999 meeting to replace the Subcommittee to Draft a Public Relations Plan and Advertising Committee with a new Marketing Committee. It will be a presidentially-appointed committee and will follow the regular committee structure and functioning.
 

Plans for 1999-2000: The Marketing Committee will replace the Subcommittee to Draft a Public Relations Plan and the Advertising Committee.
 
 
 

Recommendations from July 13, 1998 SPSC Meeting:
 

1. Orient New Employees to the Planning Process. It was suggested that more time be spent orienting new employees to the planning process. 
 

Status of Implementation: Vice Presidents Coward and Meadows followed up with this suggestion at the fall orientation of new employees. More details are included in SD11.05, page 42 of this report.
 

2. Combine Committees with Similar or Compatible Functions. Several examples were given and SPSC agreed that some of these committee functions should be studied. The following committees will need to be studied this year:
 

Incorporating the Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning with the Academic Council. Issues that come before the Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning can be monitored this year to determine whether they can be addressed by ad hoc committees established through the Academic Council or Graduate Council.
 

Status of Implementation: SPSC discussed the need for the Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning and agreed that its function(s) can now be assumed by subcommittees of either the Academic Council or Graduate Council, as appropriate. This planning subcommittee will be dissolved. (Action at May 21, 1999 SPSC meeting)
 

It was agreed that the leadership in Fine Arts & Lectureship Committee, the Faculty Forum, as well as the lectures in Arts & Sciences should attempt to coordinate events during 1998-99 in order to maximize resource use and to improve the quality of programming as well as attendance.
 

Status of Implementation: Dean Howard, Debbie Pierce, Chair of the Fine Arts and Lectureship Committee, and Debbie Holt, Chair of the Faculty Forum Committee, met in late summer/early fall. They made plans to focus on fewer events with larger community interest. Arts and Sciences had already scheduled a few lectures for fall, and the other two parties involved worked their events around those already arranged. All three worked closely together in scheduling for the spring '99. In Arts and Sciences, the decision was made to alternate years with those lectures which were not created as annual lectures. The Fine Arts and Lectureship Committee is looking to have one or two major events each semester rather than several minor ones. The Faculty Forum is concentrating its efforts on the Graduate Convocation which it will be sponsoring every Spring. The goal is to establish quality lectures or special program with maximum appeal to Mississippi College students, faculty and staff, and general community. Substantial progress has been toward that goal this academic year.
 

SPSC members agreed that reports of committees each year should be studied in light of tasks accomplished.
 

Status of Implementation: The Committee on Committees will study year-end reports from General University-Wide Standing Committees and the President's Council will study year-end reports from Administrative/Presidential Appointed Committees as to functions served. Recommendations for improved committee functioning and structure will be made, following routine procedures for making committee changes.
 

3. Rotation of Planning Subcommittee and SPSC Membership. SPSC members agreed that a rotation of faculty and staff as members of planning subcommittees as well as the steering committee will provide for more active participation in and understanding of the planning process.
 

Status of Implementation: In addition to replacement of members who retired, one additional faculty and one additional staff member were added to SPSC this year to provide for more active participation in and understanding of the planning process. All academic deans were also placed on the SPSC.
 

4. Annual Faculty and Staff Assessment of the Planning Process. SPSC agreed that there should be some assessment of planning each year to provide opportunities for suggestions from campus constituents in ways to improve planning.
 

Status of Implementation: SPSC Chair Coward and members of SPSC discussed informally throughout the year ways to assess the planning process so that the criteria for the planning process can be meet. An evaluation form for SPSC members was developed and implemented. Results are recorded on pages 55-57 of this report.
 

5. Anticipating the Ramifications of Campus Change. SPSC members agreed that the level of awareness of how change impacts the campus should be raised. Since any major change which impacts the campus will fall into areas represented on the President's Council, the Council can assume responsibility for helping the campus to anticipate the impact of changes.
 

Status of Implementation: Throughout the year as construction plans have been finalized, the President's Council has discussed possible consequences and has involved those who would be affected by change. Examples include: temporary relocation of offices of faculty in Hederman during semester break while construction was proceeding with the new building. More recently, plans for relocating offices on second floor of BCR Student Center while undergoing renovation during summer and fall, 1999 involved faculty and staff input. Note excerpt from April 05, 1999 minutes of the general faculty:
 

One of the recommendations from the assessment of the planning process was to "Anticipate the Ramifications of Campus Change (SPSC 07/13/99). The campus can be made more aware of changes by raising the level of awareness of the fall out across campus when there is change." President's Council has discussed groups which will be displaced during this time, to alert them, and to attempt to work out space which will accommodate them. The renovation of B.C. Rogers Student Center during the Fall will affect several various groups on campus and groups from the community who use these facilities. This will necessitate shuffling in order to accommodate needs for activities and events. The conference room in the HealthPlex will be available for some functions, but Dr. Todd asked if the Faculty/Staff Lounge could be used for some of these functions during the Fall Semester and he would appreciate some feedback from the Faculty Club and the Staff Club if this becomes necessary. It is anticipated that there will be a need to use the Faculty/ Staff Lounge approximately four or five times.
 

With the amount of construction on campus, there has been some change that simply could not have been anticipated. The campus has been responsive, and for the most part, accommodating.
 

6. Publication from Department of Christian Studies and Philosophy, Institute of Christian Leadership and Church Relations. The issue of university image and its relation to departmental publications represents a strategic direction (SD11). Because the cost of producing a departmental publication in Christian Studies and Philosophy (including the Institute of Christian Leadership and Church Relations) will exceed the budget for newsletters in other departments, the President asked members of SPSC if the additional cost could be justified because of its strategic nature, in response to SD06: ENHANCE TIES TO MISSISSIPPI BAPTISTS. There was full support from SPSC to allocate the necessary funds to this publication since it addresses an important constituency of the university and relates specifically to a strategic direction.
 

Status of Implementation: The President approved the publication from the Department of Christian Studies and Philosophy and the first issue was published in October, 1998.
 

7. Response to the Lawlor Report. SPSC requested that a decision be made on the recommendations from the Lawlor Report and communicated throughout the campus so that departmental/school publications plans can proceed.
 

Status of Implementation: Departmental/school publications have been discussed throughout the year by various campus groups, including the Advertising Committee. At this point, Dean Jim Turcotte has recommended that the university consider "Print-On-Demand". While there may not be savings in costs per printed piece, there are added advantages such as providing personalized materials, targeting mailings to specific audiences, requiring minimum inventory since material is printed and mailed, tracking mailings which allows the establishment of a database, and allowing quick response time. The university will make a decision during 1999-2000.
 

8. President's Home. There was consensus that the current President's Home does not meet the needs for the campus and an appropriate structure should replace it. SPSC commended the Mississippi College Board of Trustees for initiating a move in this direction and for providing the resources necessary to build a new home.
 

Status of Implementation: The Board voted to build a new President's home. The President has moved into Farr Hall on campus and the current home is being moved. Construction of the new home should begin summer or fall of 1999.
 

Recommendations from October 30, 1998 SPSC Meeting:
 

1. Addition of a New Strategic Direction - SD14: Graduate Education. SPSC recommended the addition of SD14 and objectives as follows:
 

SD14: Enhance, develop and provide adequate resources for graduate programs that attract students who can benefit from graduate study at Mississippi College.

1. Study potential graduate programs for viability and marketability using established criteria such as community needs, employment demand for graduates, student interest in the program, institutional support for the program, and fit with institutional mission.

2. Prepare and implement a recruitment strategy for graduate students who can benefit from MC programs and the MC experience.

3. Increase the number of graduate assistants used for administrative, teaching and research activities.

4. Provide assistance for graduate faculty to pursue professional development opportunities.

5. Provide resources appropriate to support graduate education such as faculty, graduate assistants, those expert in grantsmanship and the infrastructure to support graduate research, including finances, library holdings and information technologies.
 

Status of Implementation: Since its approval by the President, this direction has received the attention and focus of the Graduate Office. Several significant activities have taken place. Note a full report of these activities on pp. 46-49 of this report.
 

Other Items Discussed:
 

1. MSW Program. SPSC recommends that the university delay moving forward with this program this year.
 

2. Electronic Classroom in Speed Library. SPSC recommends that the need for such a classroom be reassessed in eighteen month. 
 

Status of Implementation: The MSW Program has been placed on hold. The Graduate Dean, the Dean of Arts and Sciences and the Chair of the Department of Sociology and Social Work are continuing to keep updated with possible demands for the program in the future.
 

Recommendations from January 15, 1999 and the February 12, 1999 SPSC Meetings:
 

1. Addition of New Objectives for Strategic Directions. At the January 15 meeting, the following objectives were approved by SPSC and were sent as recommendations the President for addition to the Strategic Plan:

SD01.23 Continue to recruit students from our constituency in Baptist churches.

SD06.09 Provide consultative assistance to churches and church staff members as needed.

SD06.10 Provide assistance to Mississippi Baptist Convention Board leadership for events which they sponsor for Mississippi College students and Mississippi Baptist church leadership.
 

2. Addition of New Objective for Strategic Direction. At the February 12 meeting, the following objective was approved and was sent as a recommendation to the President for addition to the Strategic Plan:

SD01:24: Increase the number of students who transfer to Mississippi College from community colleges.
 

Status of Implementation: Objectives were added and some strategies have been devised. Note progress on these objectives later in this report.
 

3. Replace Two Committees with One New Committee. SPSC recommended the replacement of the Planning Subcommittee to Develop a Public Relations Plan and the Advertising Committee with the Marketing Committee.
 

Status of Implementation: The President approved the concept of the Marketing Committee and a committee description has been drafted. It will now follow the committee review process and the committee will be appointed by the President for 1999-2000. 
 

4. M.F.A. Degree Program. The feasibility of this degree program was discussed at the January 15 and February 12, 1999 Strategic Planning Steering Committee meetings. No formal action was needed by SPSC on this program but there was consensus from SPSC that this program should move to Graduate Council for consideration.
 

Status of Implementation: The M.F.A. Degree Program was approved by the Graduate Council, the General Faculty, the President, and the Board of Trustees, effective summer 2000. 
 

5. Chapel. The problem of space for students needing chapel credit was discussed at the February 13 SPSC meeting. SPSC suggested that the issue be studied by the planning subcommittee, Student Development and Services; that the Committee bring a recommendation to SPSC.
 

Status of Implementation: The Student Development and Services Subcommittee for Planning studied the issue and brought recommendations to SPSC at the May 21 meeting. The following suggestions are ranked according to the preference of the committee with the favored suggestion first and the least favored suggestion fourth. 

1) Have two chapel programs back to back during 2nd and 3rd periods or 3rd and 4th periods. In this arrangement chapel would be held concurrently with other academic classes. The program would be the same during both sessions, allowing invited speakers to make the same presentation twice. As a result of implementing this proposal, 45 minutes would be introduced into the Tuesday/Thursday schedule since the special time slot for chapel would be eliminated. This arrangement would allow students greater flexibility in scheduling chapel, take care of the overcrowding situation, and facilitate student use of the cafeteria on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Even if the chapel program were expanded to 40 minutes, students taking chapel would have adequate time to eat lunch during the chapel period prior to their next class. The full Tuesday/Thursday time slot would allow more than adequate time for students and chapel checkers to make it to their next class on time.

2) Have two "sections" of chapel meeting each semester with one meeting on Tuesdays and the other on Thursdays. Schedule chapel during an ordinary Tuesday/Thursday time slot opposite other academic classes to address the time constraints placed upon students and chapel checkers who must rush to class after chapel. This arrangement need not represent a diminishment of the spiritual emphasis on campus if each chapel session would be a bona fide worship service. If the length of the chapel service were expanded to about 40 minutes, the amount of time spent in chapel by students each week would diminish very little and it would still be the case that chapel meets twice a week. 

3) Extend the Freshman Experience to include both semesters of the freshman year in Provine Chapel.

4) Purchase more scanners for both the upperclass and freshman chapels to lessen the "crunch" at the end of chapel.
 

A group was appointed to study these options more carefully and make a recommendation to the President some time in June.
 

Recommendations from March 19, 1999 SPSC Meeting:
 

1. Addition of A New Objective for Strategic Direction 04. The following objective was recommended by SPSC to the President and he approved it for inclusion in the strategic plan:
 

SD04.29: Integrate technology in appropriate ways within disciplines into the teaching-learning environment to enhance student learning.
 

Status of Implementation: Dr. Glenn Wiggins, Chair of the Information Systems Committee, is responsible for the leadership role in developing strategies for integrating technology in appropriate ways in the teaching/learning environment at Mississippi College.
 

2. Crisis Management Plan. There was consensus among SPSC members that the Crisis Management Plan be submitted to the President for further review and implementation.
 
 
 

Status of Implementation: The draft of the Crisis Management Plan for Mississippi College was accepted by the President and he is in the process of having it critiqued by an outside evaluator from CASE. Training sessions for appropriate campus personnel should take place in the fall as implementation of the Plan is initiated.
 

3. Forum for Generating Student Spirit. SPSC discussed the request of students to use the old AM radio station to have a forum for generating school spirit. Dr. Lytal thought Channel 21, broadcast to the campus only, would be more effective. Members expressed concern about what students might publicize but all agreed that they need a way to communicate in an effort to build school spirit. While no action of SPSC was required, members agreed with the concept of using Channel 21 for student use on campus with the bottom line that the rationale for using it is to build school spirit. 
 

Status of Implementation: The students have been informed that Channel 21 can be used by students to build school spirit. The administration is awaiting a response from the students.
 

Recommendations from May 21, 1999 SPSC Meeting:
 

1. Changes in Chapel. In order to address several problems with chapel, a group will study the current recommendations from the Student Development and Services Committee and will submit a recommendation to the President regarding any changes in chapel for 1999-2000. The group includes Harold Bryson, Ron Howard, Becky Lynchard, John Meadors, Debbie Norris, Steve Stanford, Lynda Street, and John Travis.
 

2. Addition of a New Objective for Strategic Direction 01. The following objective was recommended by SPSC to the President and he approved it for inclusion in the strategic plan:
 

SD01.25: Provide campus experiences that will enrich the Mississippi College academic experience of both international students and the resident citizen student population.

3. Discontinuing the Courier . SPSC recommended that the Courier be discontinued. 
 

4. Functions of Planning Subcommittee: Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning. SPSC recommended the deletion of the Academic Council Subcommittee for Planning, effective June 1, 1999, since this is one committee whose functions can be assumed by an existing councils--the Academic Council and the Graduate Council.
 

4. Establishment of a Marketing Committee and Marketing Advisory Board. SPSC recommended that these committees be established and to move them through the routine procedures for establishing new committees.
 

5. Distribution of Marketing Funds. SPSC recommended that the basic purpose of the Advertising Committee (now Marketing Committee) is to use advertising dollars to recruit students.
 

6. Improving Lectureships. SPSC has agreed with the direction of combining lectureships where possible. SPSC also recommends that the Office of Advancement look at guidelines for setting up lectureships as we do scholarships so that a minimum amount will be required to establish a single lectureship.
 

7. Study of Committee Year-End Reports. In an attempt to be more efficient in committee functioning, SPSC recommends that the Committee on Committee review year-end reports of General University-Wide Standing Committees and that President's Council review Administrative/Presidential Committee reports.
 

Status of Implementation. All of these recommendations will be implemented during 1999-2000.
 

Recommendations from Assessment of the Planning Process, July 12, 1999:
 

Six recommendations from assessment of the planning process were sent to the President on July 12, 1999. These recommendations are identified on p. 57 of this report.
 

Status of Implementation. All of the recommendations were approved by the President and will be implemented during the 1999-2000 year.
 

Summary of Status of Strategic Direction 01. Progress has continued in building the residential population. Since this Direction was added to the Strategic Plan (1995), residential population has grown from approximately 800 students to 1390 students fall semester 1998. The size of the freshman class (full-time freshmen--taking 12 hours or more) has increased from 286 fall 1994 to 422 Fall 1998. The retention rate for freshmen increased from 69.2% Fall 1994 to 82% for Fall 1998.
 

Progress Toward Meeting Specific Objectives to Accomplish SD01. The following objectives were completed, are at a monitoring stage, or need continued focus for the next planning year.
 

03. Renovate other women's residence halls (Hederman-Gunter).
 

As residence halls needs were studied, it became apparent that a new residence hall for women was needed which would connect with Mary Nelson Hall. A 472 bed residence hall was constructed during 1998-1999 and will be complete for occupancy fall 1999. The entrance to Mary Nelson and the new residence hall space from Highway 80 will not be complete until mid fall semester.

Overall renovation of Hederman-Gunter is still planned and will probably take place beginning in the summer of 2000.

Conversion of the lowest floor of Mary Nelson Hall to a lounge/lobby area for the East and West Halls and Mary Nelson complex has begun. This project will include new lobby areas as well as redesign of the Mary Nelson lobby. 

The hot/chilled water line has been extended to outside of Hederman-Gunter so that it may be tied into the loop when renovation takes place. Hederman-Gunter is currently a "two pipe" system, and efficiencies in operation may be gained by going to a "four pipe" system consistent with the rest of campus.

A computer lab has been added to Hederman-Gunter Hall, and this lab will be functional Fall 1999. In addition, two smaller labs will be located in either end of the East/West/Mary Nelson lobby.
 

13. Relocate or renovate the School of Law.
 

Following the ABA Inspection Team visit in the fall, the decision was made in December 1998 by the Mississippi College Board of Trustees to remain at Griffith Street site. The building plans were shared with the Trustees at March 1999 meeting. These plans for the renovation and addition to the School of Law building are ongoing. Fund raising will begin in 1999 for the expansion and renovation of this facility. Schematics for the facility are developed, and visits to three or four "model" law library facilities are scheduled for May-June 1999.
 

15. Monitor the scholarship program.
 

The scholarship program was intensely reviewed prior to the initiation of awards for the entering class of 1999. Awards are being targeted more specifically, and there is a deliberate effort to increase the net tuition realized to the institution. Following the completion of enrolling the fall 1999 class, a more comprehensive review will be conducted due to the completion of the four year cycle of the existing program. Dean Turcotte is using an advisory group to assist in restructuring the scholarship program. He has surfaced a draft of the restructured program with the Admissions Committee and received feedback. He will make additional edits and submit to President's Council for critique. The President has also directed the Dean of Enrollment Services to integrate the array of endowed scholarships into the awards process to gain additional efficiencies in the scholarshipping process.
 

16. Prepare and implement a recruitment program for minority students similar to other successful recruiting programs. 
 

For the first time, Mississippi College is included in the Private Colleges & Universities Minorities Edition. A copy is displayed in one of the alcoves in the Office of Enrollment Services for prospective students to browse while waiting. 

Number of Minority Students. The percentage of minority students in the entering freshman class, Fall 1998 was 8.05%. The percentage of minority students in the student population at Mississippi College is listed as follows:
 

Category of Minority Students	Fall 1994	Fall 1997	Fall 1998
% of Minority Students1	12.5%	13.48%	15.2%2
Number Black Male Students	120	121	108
Number Black Female Students	328	355	349

¹ Refers to all minority students at Mississippi College

² Total of 525 minority students fall 1998, 457 of which are black; 68 other minority
 

Entrance Qualifications. The average ACT composite score for a Fall semester 1994 entering minority freshmen was 17.89; for Fall semester 1997, it was 18.74; and for Fall 1998, the ACT composite score for entering minority freshmen was 21.45.

Improving the Recruiting Program. The Dean of Enrollment Services conducted a survey of similar institutions to obtain information to improve the minority recruiting plan. The following elements of a plan were presented to SPSC in October, 1998 and were implemented:

College Fairs: The Office of Enrollment Services attended several key college fairs at predominately minority schools. Those schools are: Murrah High School, Callaway High School, and Wingfield High School.

Churches: The Office of Enrollment Services has a plan to contact minority churches in the metro area in order to begin a relationship with pastors and youth ministers. These relationships will open key areas for MC to reach minority students.

Reception: The office of Enrollment Services had a reception in the spring of the year in the Jackson metro area for minorities. There were 37 in attendance. Each student who registered but did not "show" was sent a search "piece" in order to ascertain interest in MC. 

BSA (Black Student Association) Plus: The BSA Plus is key to Mississippi College's minority recruitment plan and is vital to helping in targeting and implementing of the entire plan. With the help of this group MC will be able to serve the minority community much better in the future.

Scholarships: The Office of Enrollment Services will, for the first time, offer national achievement semi-finalists and finalists the opportunity to compete for Presidential Scholarships with distinction. This is Mississippi College's most prestigious scholarship and is a full award. The National Achievement Program is designed to give recognition to minority students who score higher on the PSAT.
 

19. Initiate and support diverse cultural programs.
 

Based on requests for funds, the Hearin Foundation awarded a $75,000 grant for a three semester seminar on race relations. The highly selective program for thirty students was taught by Professors Bryson and Meadors. Reports have been positive from participants. An April 15, 1999, mid-semester report is on file with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the report details the syllabus, speakers, students, and comments by Professors Bryson and Meadors. The program will continue through the 1999-00 academic year.

Other programming has included speakers like Leroy Walker, a well known minority businessman and owner of serveral McDonald franchises. He addressed students at the BSA+ Banquet and discussed ways to succeed in business. 
 

21. Construct the connector building between Self and Hederman. (Completed 1999)
 

Construction has been underway since 1998. Occupancy is expected by Fall 1999.
 

22. Revitalize the summer program for high school seniors.
 

Students in the Program. Dr. Wagner has advertised in The Baptist Record and has coordinated with personnel in Enrollment Services to identify potential students for the program. As of April, 1999, the following students have applied to the summer program: Managan Lee McKay -Bunkie, LA; Chip Overton -Brandon, MS; Cooper Overton -Brandon, MS; Miranda Andrews -Ecru, MS; Lee Chavers -Reno, NV; and Kristi Williams -Clinton, MS.

Leadership Class. Dr. Wagner has planned the following speakers for the Leadership Class being planned for the high school senior during the first summer term: June 2 -Introduction - Dr. Wagner; June 3 -Understanding the American economy -Dr. Lloyd Roberts, Dean, School of Business; June 8 -Ways I can be involved in the political process - Dr. Ron Howard, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences; June 9 -How Literature can enhance my life -Dr. Gene Fant, Chair, English Department; June 10 -Ways the computer can assist me -Dr. Tommy Leavelle, Chair, Department of Math and Computer Science; June 15 -Making the transition from high school to college to the world of work -Dr. Debbie Norris, Dean, Graduate School; June 16 - Living a healthy lifestyle -Dr. Bettye Coward, Vice President of Academic Affairs; June 17 -Taking care of the environment -Dr. Ted Snazelle, Chair, Biology Department; June 22 -Leading a university campus -Dr. Howell Todd, President; June 23 -Ways I can be involved in social issues -Dr. Pete Campbell, Chair of Sociology and Social Work Department; June 24 -How local church can contribute to my life and how I can contribute to the local church -Dr. Harold Bryson, Professor, Department of Christian Studies; June 29 -Best career choices for the next decade -Cathy Baldwin, Director, Career Services; 30 -Evaluation of class.
 

23. Continue to recruit students from our constituency in Baptist churches. (Added 01/15/99)
 

Many student groups on campus performed in churches this year, serving as an invaluable student recruitment tool. The following list of student groups who performed indicates the commitment of the institution to recruit student from Mississippi College's constituency in Baptist churches. This year:

BSU Priority sang concerts in 24 churches.

BSU Action Teams worked in 3 churches.

The Chamber Choir sang concerts in 10 churches.

The Concert Singers sang concerts in 7 churches.

The Concert Ringers rang concerts in 7 churches.

The Naturals sang concerts in 1 church.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes spoke in 5 churches.

Many administration, faculty, staff spoke in churches. (Listed in Annual Report)

A current list of Mississippi Baptist churches represented by current Mississippi College students is maintained and filed in the Office of the Department of Christian Studies and Philosophy. 

Comparison of reports to the Education Commission of the Mississippi Baptist Convention reflect a minimal increase in Baptist students from 1998 to 1999, e.g. 1359 to 1364 for Fall terms respectively, and 1290 to 1310 for spring terms respectively. 

As noted in SD01.16 earlier in the report, plans are being made to recruit in minority churches in the metro area in order to build a relationship with pastors and youth ministers.
 

24. Increase the number of students who transfer to Mississippi College from community colleges.
 

One recruiting position was added in the 1999-2000 budget to the admission staff for explicit purpose of recruiting transfer students. The transfer recruiter has already been identified from the existing staff because of his experience and knowledge of junior /community colleges.
 

SD 02. STRENGTHEN AND FURTHER DEVELOP A STUDENT FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE. (Goals V,VIII)

 

Summary Status of Strategic Direction 02. Many changes have taken place to make Mississippi College more student friendly. From programming and services offered to students to improvements in the physical environment, there has been a focus on enhancing the student experience at the university. 
 

Progress Toward Meeting Specific Objectives to Accomplish SD02. The following objectives were completed, are at a monitoring stage, or need continued focus for the next planning year.
 

01. Make chapel a more meaningful experience for students by improving programming and the physical environment. (Physical environment completed 1999)
 

Chapel for 1998-99 has been a greater challenge from a programming and physical environment standpoint. Mississippi College's first experiment with "Freshman Chapel" was successful, but there are always areas where improvement are needed. SPSC asked the Student Development and Services Committee (a planning subcommittee) to study the chapel experience and to bring recommendations to SPSC. The report from the SDSC (included on pages 7-8 of this Year-End Report and in SPSC May 21, 1999 minutes, pages 4-5) reflects the attention that this committee has given to making chapel a more meaningful experience. SDSC brought four recommendations to SPSC in May. A smaller focus group was then appointed by the President to study the matter further to work through the details of managing the "Freshman Experience" and regular chapel for 1999-2000.

An extensive assessment of the "Freshman Experience" was conducted by Dr. Becky Lynchard, Coordinator, at the end of fall semester 1998. The assessment data have been used to make adjustments and improvements for fall 1999. Mrs. Lynda Street will serve as Coordinator of the "Freshman Experience" for fall 1999. Dr. Lynchard will be working with Mrs. Street to incorporate the feedback from students to make this experience even more meaningful. 

Chapel for upperclassmen was held in the Coliseum during spring semester 1999 in order to accommodate the number of students needing chapel credit for graduation. Plans for fall 1999 will be to conduct chapel services in Swor Auditorium except for the Freshman Experience in which worship services will be held in Provine Chapel. If there are joint services for freshmen and upperclassmen during fall semester, they will be held in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Clinton, with the exception of "Who's Who" Recognition Service which will be held in the Coliseum.

The Student Development and Services Committee has as one of its goals for 1999-2000 the continued study of chapel to make this experience as meaningful as possible.
 

03. Increase security measures to provide as safe an environment as possible. (Increase security measures completed 1999)
 

Lighting on the Quad has been updated and there has been an increase in intensity of the lighting that is provided. Trees have been pruned severely to enhance the effectiveness of the lighting. A request for a proposal has been issued to a local lighting firm to install panic lights in strategic locations on campus. Golf carts have been purchased for use by security staff to permit them to gain access to areas of the campus otherwise inaccessible by automobile.

05. Provide a more attractive eating environment, with more food choices including healthier ones, and more variety in meal plan options. (Completed 1999)
 

Renovation of the serving and dining areas of the Food Court were completed in August, 1997. The renovations made possible an expanded salad bar, soup, fruit station and baked potato bar at every meal. Students may choose between traditional entrees, a daily specialty, freshly prepared deli items, and a cook-to-order grill daily. Expanded seating of the dining area will be complete in the Fall semester, 1999. 

Beginning in August, 1999, students will be offered a choice of meal plans that allow them to select a combination of meals per week and discretionary spending points. Students may select the combination that best fits the individual eating habits. Plans offered in the Fall of 1999 will be: 15 meals per week and 0 points; 19 meals per week and 100 points; 15 meals per week and 150 points; 10 meals per week and 200 points. Points may be used to purchase additional food in the Food Court or at Hampsteads. Additionally, the traditional weekend breakfast has been replaced with a brunch that incorporates cook-to-order breakfast items.
 

06. Restructure parking on campus. (Completed 1999)
 

An additional parking lot is under construction west of the Mississippi College Coliseum and is scheduled for completion by Fall 1999. An additional lot east of the new women's residence hall will be available by Fall 1999. The President has accepted a parking plan developed by the 1999-2000 SGA officers to restructure the lots on campus with a view toward simplifying the structure by eliminating so many different lot designations. The SGA has also increased fines for parking violations from $5 to $15 in an effort to reduce illegal parking.
 

12. Implement a public relations program for the services offered by the Counseling and Career Development Center.
 

A study of the functions of various centers on campus, prerequisite to implementing a public relations program for the services of the Counseling and Career Development Center, resulted in a restructuring of functions and renaming of Centers as follows: (See Minutes of the General Faculty, 04/05/99.)

Mississippi College Counseling and Testing Center, formerly Counseling & Career Services Center

Scott Community Counseling Clinic, formerly Scott Counseling Center

Mississippi College Community Service Center, formerly Community Service Center

Mississippi College Career Services Center, formerly Career Services.

All of the university publications are being updated to reflect the changes in names and functions of these centers. The Mississippi College Career Services Center has publicized its functions as services related to graduates' finding employment have been enhanced.

Plans are being made to require all freshmen for fall 1999 to take an interest inventory. During small group experiences as a part of the "Freshman Experience", students will receive feedback from the interest inventory. At that time, students will be made aware of the services offered by the Mississippi College Career Services Center. 
 

14. Review the student health services program, including student insurance.
 

The student health program continues to be administered in conjunction with employee health, and nursing care is provided by Baptist Health Systems. The student health services program is continually monitored through the Dean of the School of Nursing Mary Jean Padgett's service on the advisory committee to Baptist Health Systems, Inc. Health care is available for full-time undergraduate students at the Baptist Clinic at Clinton. A Nurse Practitioner is available five days a week at scheduled office hours, on a non-appointment basis. A registered nurse is available at scheduled Clinic office hours, and any student needing immediate care will be seen by one of the Clinic physicians. After-hours care is available via a 24-hour emergency telephone help system or through the emergency room at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. In addition, an Emergency Medical Technician is on call for emergency assistance at the Clinton campus. A limited student health insurance policy is included in the health fees paid by all full-time and residential students. Patient load during 1999-00 has increased significantly on the Nurse Practitioner, perhaps due to some unexpected "bugs" during the winter season.

During the 1999-2000 academic year, the student health program will be expanded to include graduate students. Any full-time graduate student may choose to participate in the student health program by paying the student health fee. This will include graduate students on the Clinton campus as well as law students on the downtown Jackson campus.

A survey was completed by approximately 50 students and employees during the spring semester, 1999. This survey solicited student and employee perceptions of various aspects of student/employee health, the approximate length of time spent waiting to be seen, and general comments regarding student/employee health. These surveys are currently being tabulated and will be analyzed for patterns of comments. The results will be provided to persons responsible for the administration of student/employee health and changes will be made where appropriate. Anecdotal feedback on the quality of service from the students, faculty, and staff has been very positive.

Student insurance has not been reviewed to date, and there does not appear to be a critical need to do so in light of parental coverage of students. However, it will be reviewed for possible or needed changes during 1999-2000.
 

15. Consider the design of a Career Resource Center.
 

Cathy Baldwin joined the university staff as the Coordinator of Career Services Center in October 1998. The Career Services Center serves as the resource center to provide students, alumni, and employers with information regarding career exploration, job search strategy, resume writing, interview skills, and on-campus interviewing. This year the center used events and technology to communicate career information.

Events such as Career Day, Career Awareness Week, class presentations and on-campus interviews motivated students to utilize the center. Career Day created an excellent opportunity for students and employers to network informally. Sixty-one employers and 360 students attended Career Day. Fifteen students secured positions as a result of Career Day. Career Awareness Week included a chapel speaker, Collegian article, resume critique service, resume/interviewing seminars and student reception hosted by the Faculty. Thirty-eight students submitted resumes to be critiqued and forty-two students attend the resume/interviewing seminars. Class presentation and on-campus interviews generated numerous student contacts with the department. 

The Career Service Center invested resources in establishing its own Internet home page and developing a partnership with JOBTRAK. Students, alumni, and employers may browse career information 24 hours a day on the home page. Sixty-five percent of those accessing the home page are external users. JOBTRAK, a web-accessible database, compliments the center's on-campus effort to inform students of job opportunities. More than 300,000 employers use JOBTRAK, the nation's largest college job listing service, to recruit students and alumni. JOBTRAK acts as an electronic form of the classified ads.
 

16. Provide greater emphasis on student campus activities. (Greater emphasis has been accomplished 1999)
 

Year end assessment of the 1998-99 academic year with the SGA officers revealed a much higher level of satisfaction by the SGA with campus activities. There were more activities; there was a greater variety of activities; and student participation was considerably higher according to the SGA officers. The employment of Director of Student Activities, Anthony Britt, and his having responsibility for working with the SGA to develop a smorgasbord of activities for the students has been well received. A summary of activities for 1998-99 follows:

New Student Orientation (August 22nd -29th)

Week of Orientation (August 22nd -29th)

BSU Freshman Retreat (August 28th -29th)

Tailgate Parties (Home Football Games)

BSU Gathering (Tuesday nights) 

Sadie Hawkins (September 11th)

Rush Skits (September 18th & 19th)

Family Day (September 26th)

Squeal Night (October 1st)

Fireworks Display (October 5th)

I Love America Day (October 6th)

Homecoming Follies (October 16th)

Homecoming Parade (October 17th)

Homecoming Day (October 17th)

Midnight Madness (October 27th)

Nenamoosha Tribe Formal (October 30th)

Kissimee Tribe Formal (November 6th)

Swannanoa Tribe Formal (November 6th)

Rotaract Formal (November 7th)

Blue & Gold Men's Society Formal (November 13th)

Circle K Formal (November 14th)

Laguna Tribe Formal (November 14th)

Laomisco Tribe Formal (November 20th)

Civitan Informal (November 21st)

Lighting of the Quad (December 2nd)

Miss MC Pageant (January 30th)

BSU Spring Retreat (February 26th & 27th)

Derby Day (March 18th)

BSU Campus Revival (March 22nd -24th)
 

The following are new events:

Soccer Kick Off (September 2nd)

Big Tent Revival Concert (September 3rd)

Jars of Clay Concert (September 30th)

PF 33 in Concert (February 10th)

S.G.A. Lock-In (January 15th)

Concert on the Piazza

Caedmon's Call Concert (February 19th)

Pack the House at the Basketball Game (February 22nd)

Spring Sport Kick Off (February 22nd)

Spring Fever Week (March 15th -19th)

Geronimo Rex in Concert (March 15th)

Blue Mountain in Concert (March 18th)

Inflatable Day (March 19th)

Shawreth Formal (March 19th)

Senate Luau in the Quad (March 27th)

Big Screen Movie Night (April 5th)

Max Cherry in Concert (May 5th)

Campus Cookouts in the Quad (3 in Fall & 2 in Spring)

Open Dorms (2 in Fall & 2 in Spring)

SD 03. RESTORE THE CHARACTER AND BEAUTY OF THE CAMPUS. (Goals III,V)

Summary of Status of Strategic Direction 03. The University's campus and facilities have reached a condition that is bringing Mississippi College notice for its appearance and ambiance. Enhanced facilities and grounds have created an environment that is attractive and inviting. Additions, revocations, and other improvements have been designed to enhance the learning environment for students.
 

Progress Toward Meeting Specific Objectives to Accomplish SD03.
 

01. Maintain the historic integrity of buildings when renovations are planned.
 

A consistency of design and appearance has developed and is noticeable, as indicated by comments received from visitors to the campus. Farr Hall renovation has been completed on ground level, and interior renovation completed on the first floor for interim occupancy by the President. The historic integrity of buildings is being preserved.
 

03. Regularly review landscaping to enhance campus beauty and complement security efforts.
 

The landscape committee has met three times this year, providing a continuous review of campus enhancement and improvement efforts. Landscaping has continued to improve throughout the year, with regular rotation of seasonal plants in beds, pruning of trees and shrubbery, installation of new beds, and placement of new benches. 

The additional lighting has been added to the quad area, Alumni Hall and Nelson Hall, providing additional security as well as enhancement of the nighttime appearance of the buildings.

Regular review of the landscape is reflected in the minutes of the Landscape Committee.
 

SD 04. ENHANCE THE USE OF RECENT TECHNOLOGY. (Goal XII)

 

Summary Status of Strategic Direction 04. Since adoption of SD04 in the original strategic plan in 1995, there have been numerous enhancements to the use of technology as well as increased availability of technology in almost every aspect of Mississippi College life. Access to information and electronic communication have improved and enhanced the functioning of all areas of the university.
 
 
 

Progress Toward Meeting Specific Objectives to Accomplish SD04: The following objectives were completed, are at a monitoring stage, or need continued focus for the next planning year.
 

08. Provide for the continuous upgrading of hardware and software on campus. (Completed 1999) 
 

The following upgrades have taken place in 1998-99:

The purchase of a site license for Novell NetWare has been recommended. This license will provide unlimited licenses at an overall cost savings.

The program of rotating older PC's to places where they could be used and replaced them with the latest models is continuing.

The bandwidth purchased from the Internet provider to a full T1 line has been expanded.

Most of the Dell computers in the Speed Library and all Dell computers in the Law Library have been replaced with Hewlett Packard PC's.

The Speed, Law, and EMS servers have been upgraded.

A gift of several UNIX workstations from Lucent Technology has been received.

MCNet continued to upgrade software in academic labs. 

Dial in modems are being moved from Self Hall to the phone switch (Lanier Physical Plant Building) and are being attached o the MCNet at that point. The number of dial in lines can now be increased from 20 to 30 lines, while reducing the number of telephone lines used into Self Hall. 

The operating system of network on servers OX and CSC has been upgraded to the latest UNIX release.

Critical network segments throughput has been upgraded to 100 megabits.
 

Upgrades have become a routine aspect of technology on campus. 

14. Establish a prototype multimedia classroom in the media center for the purpose of training faculty and students on the use of current software applications that are unique in particular disciplines.
 

This item has been deleted (from the current SPSC plan since other facilities on campus are available to meet needs on campus. 
 

15. Establish the capability to systematically manage data and networks in a fashion to minimize response time.
 

OPENVIEW and software with features that support remote access to facilitate work by support team and MCNet have been installed. Additionally, MANAGEWISE, additional net management software, has been acquired and is being installed for use by network support personnel.

Specific administrative data center personnel have been assigned to work with the Network Administrator on a continuous basis. A formal protocol has been established to effect communication and coordination between data center personnel and Network Administrator.
 

16. Move toward a seamless, integrated database environment as soon as possible providing uniform efficient access to information.
 

The following BANNER modules were activated: Financial Aid, March, 1998; Finance, June, 1998.

The following BANNER modules are still in implementation: Alumni /Development; Human Resources/Payroll (planned activation 1/1/2000); and Fixed Assets (planned activation approximately 10/1/99).
 

17. Establish a precise and explicit definition and subsequent specifications for distributed registration and advisement of students.
 

This will be supported by the BANNER Web product, which was delivered from the vendor in 1999. Deployment should take place in late 1999 to early 2000. However, ISC recommends the formation of a committee to study issues with regard to distributed advising and registration, and to make recommendations about the processes to be used. See SD04.28.
 

19. Acquire the additional hardware and software needed to accommodate the full text retrieval systems in the Mississippi College Library and continue to address the need to upgrade the link for more traffic intensive applications.
 

CSC is improving network throughput by the acquisition of the additional Internet bandwidth. Additionally, many Dell computers in the Libraries have been replaced with Hewlett Packard machines. However, most of the full text retrieval is now done through the Web as opposed to CD sources, obviating the need for much of the full text retrieval equipment in the Libraries themselves. 
 

21. Study systematically the provision of computing and communication resources for students in order to determine to what extent students are provided with and required to have access to information systems.
 

The NMRH now has additional computer labs. Additional dial in ports are to be provided shortly. (See SD04.08 above.) Additional labs are planned for Hederman-Gunter, and the English writing lab (Jennings) is now operational with equipment and software that mirrors other labs. Plans also include wiring future carrels in the Libraries with network connections. However, ISC recognizes that although these efforts are aimed at providing additional computing resources for students, a systematic study of needs and a projection of future needs is still needed.
 

Current traffic studies indicate that the number of telephone lines available to students is sufficient. However, at least two traffic studies on telephone line usage are performed each year to assure that adequate telephone lines are provided so as to minimize blocked telephone calls.
 

22. Provide a means for increased capacity for electronically scoring tests and surveys.
 

One additional scanner has been purchased. Additionally, CSC 114 is now utilizing a WEB testing, recording, and scoring method as a prototype that may be used by other courses.
 

28. Identify, design and purchase the necessary hardware/software for supporting distributed registration and advisement.
 

See Objective SD04.17.
 

29. Integrate technology in appropriate ways within disciplines into the teaching-learning environment to enhance student learning. (Added 03/19/99)
 

Chair of ISC will be planning some sessions for faculty related to enhancing teaching-learning through the use of technology. He is also planning a means of assessing faculty perception of the impact of technology on teaching-learning as a means of providing the assistance needed by faculty who want to use this mode of instruction. 

One proposal has already been approved for June 1-7, 1999 involving the integration of technology into teaching-learning. Dr. Teresa Floyd, Associate Professor of Mathematics, will be attending Cornell University's NSF Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Workshop: Teaching Undergraduate Geometry which is designed to help undergraduate faculty who teach geometry incorporate technology into the curriculum of existing courses. Dr. Floyd was selected as one of thirty college professors nationwide to attend the NSF workshop.
 

SD05. IMPROVE THE SALARY AND BENEFIT STRUCTURE. (Goal IV)

 

Summary of Status of Strategic Direction 05. Progress in improvement of the salary and benefit structure of Mississippi College employees has been significant since introduction of SD05 in 1995.
 

Progress Toward Meeting Specific Objectives to Accomplish SD05. The following objective was addressed and will continue to receive focus during the next planning year.

05. Continually review benefits against fringe benefit plans of benchmark employers inside and outside of higher education.
 

Nationally recognized surveys are being assembled which provide peer information against which the salary and benefits of Mississippi College faculty members can be measured.

Salary surveys and comparable employer pay information have been obtained against which to measure staff compensation.

As the selection of new group health, life, and disability insurers took place this year, the Insurance Committee gave careful consideration to suggestions made by agents and advisors regarding provision of benefits that are competitive vis-a-vis other employers. 
 

SD 06. ENHANCE TIES TO MISSISSIPPI BAPTISTS. (Goals III,VI,VII,IX,X)

 

Summary Status of Strategic Direction 06. Mississippi College values its heritage and link to the Mississippi Baptist Convention and therefore, has demonstrated initiative in serving its Baptist constituency. Note also the connection to SD12 on Service.
 

Progress Toward Meeting Specific Objectives to Accomplish SD06. The following objectives were completed, are at a monitoring stage, or need continued focus for the next planning year.
 

04. Visit different churches in order to maximize visibility of Mississippi College. (Note SD01.23 as well.)
 

The following student groups performed in Mississippi churches this year:

BSU Priority sang in 24 churches during this year

BSU Generations sang in 12 churches during this year

BSU Action Teams worked in 2 churches during this year

The Chamber Choir sang in 10 churches during this year

The Concert Singers sang in 7 churches during this year

The Concert Ringers rang in 7 churches during this year

The Naturals sang concerts in 1 church during this year

Fellowship of Christian Athletes spoke in 5 churches during this year.

President Todd spoke in 7 churches this year.

Faculty and staff in the Department of Christian Studies spoke in approximately 65 different churches.

Three faculty members in the Department of Christian Studies served as interim pastors during this year.

Many administration, faculty, and staff across campus spoke in churches during this year. (Listed in 1998-99 Annual Report)
 

06. Provide continuing education opportunities for church personnel.
 

Mississippi College continues to offer education opportunities for church personnel:

2 Institutes for Christian Leadership:

November 1999, Dr. Paul Powell; February 1999, Dr. Robert Nash

Small Church Leadership Conference

Winter Bible Study Previews

Doctrine Study Clinic
 

07. Publicize willingness and availability of college personnel to visit churches.
 

A Speakers' Bureau was established this year to make Mississippi College's public aware of the availability of college personnel as a resource for churches and other organizations.
 

09. Provide consultative assistance to churches and church staff members as needed. (Added 03/19/99)
 

A revision in the Faculty Data Sheet and the addition of a Staff Data Sheet this year to record the contributions of employees include a item which speaks to university recognition of service to the denomination. The item on these data sheets follows:

Community and Church Service. Includes strictly volunteer involvement /activities. (List these.) Identify any service rendered to Mississippi Baptists outside your own local church.

The loads of Dr. Harold Bryson (Director of the Institute of Christian Leadership) and Dr. Les Hughes (Director of Church Relations) in counseling churches and church staff have increased. A log of openings in churches for CRV students to peruse for employment opportunities is maintained in the Office of the Department of Christian Studies and Philosophy.

Dr. Harold Bryson provided consultative assistance to 53 churches which contacted him regarding problems.

Dr. Harold Bryson provided consultative assistance to 79 ministers of churches who contacted him regarding problems.

Dr. Les Hughes provided consultative assistance to 12 churches and/or ministers who contacted him regarding problems.

Lynda Street was contacted by 45 churches and 5 other Christian organizations seeking assistance with filling staff vacancies.

Mississippi College maintains and mans a booth at the Mississippi Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. 
 

10. Provide assistance to Mississippi Baptist Convention Board leadership for events which they sponsor for Mississippi College students and Mississippi Baptist church leadership. (Added 03/19/99)
 

Mississippi College personnel assisted the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board leadership with the following activities on the MC campus:

Ministerial Aid Interviews Doctrine Study Clinic

Church Related Vocations Banquet Young Musicians Festival

Student Day at Baptist Building Youth Evangelism Conference

RA Day at MC GA Day at MC

Super Summer State Handbell Festival

Small Church Leadership Conference Ministers' Golf Tournament

Winter Bible Study Previews

The Vice President for Academic Affairs serves on advisory board for Baptist Record.
 

SD 07. STRENGTHEN TIES WITH THE CLINTON COMMUNITY AND THE GREATER JACKSON METROPOLITAN AREA. (Goals III,VI,X)

 

Summary Status of Strategic Direction 07. Mississippi College continues to demonstrate its commitment to service in the community, not only because of the service function of higher education because of its service mission as a Christian institution. Note the relationship between SD07 and SD11.
 

Progress Toward Meeting Specific Objectives to Accomplish SD07. The following objectives were completed, are at a monitoring stage, or need continued focus for the next planning year.
 

01. Encourage Mississippi College employees to be actively involved in community groups, even if it means time away from work.
 

Most departments reward employees for their community activities. Many departments list community activities on performance appraisal instruments. Connecting community activities to performance appraisals have increased significantly employees involvement in the community.

Community involvement is one of the factors considered in the recruitment of new faculty and staff.

The Faculty Data Sheet has been designed to include community and church service as expectations of faculty. A Staff Data Sheet has also been designed this year to include documentation for the same item. Note item listed below:

Community and Church Service. Includes strictly volunteer involvement /activities. (List these.)

O