2012 SCUP Award for Institutional Innovation and Integration Recipient

The Oklahoma City University Digital Assess­ment is the 2012 SCUP Award for Institu­tional Innovation and Integration recipient.

Digital Assessment is a technique that uses digital photography and engages the entire campus commu­nity to identify strengths and opportunities -- assess­ment -- of non-curricular areas. This method informs administration and assists in planning and budgeting, which allows for more efficient and effective use of both monetary and other resources.

The awards committee described the project as simple and straightforward, yet compelling and engag­ing. It integrated many different constituent groups on campus and integrated their processes and outcomes. It was highly collaborative, low-key and low-tech compared to the high-tech tools available today. It outlined how to replicate this process on any campus and provided qualitative and quantitative analysis.

“Institutions of higher learning are paying more attention to their culture. What they understand about their campus culture is an important direction,” said the committee.

Digital Assessment includes residents, commuters, and distance learners in the process. It impacts the strategic plan through financial and budgeting innovations. It positively affected cam­pus operations including space management and human resources. It was conceived, developed, and refined on campus largely by SCUP member, Michael W. Jackson, senior director of institutional research and assessment.

Brian Holland, chief financial officer of the university said, “ . . . this is a unique program that connects our students, faculty, and staff with the planning and budgeting processes of the university. It is an engaging activity that evaluates the university and acquaints the institution with areas where correc­tive action needs to take place.”

Digital Assessment allows the university to be planful in integrating resources to eliminate problems or enhance usability on campus. It allows the univer­sity to use effective planning for campus operations, space management, including human resources, and technology. This leads the university to use tradition and innovative budgeting to support this program by eliminating the disclosed problems and retaining and/or enhancing positive items.

Digital Assessment provides a sense of commu­nity awareness on campus. This program has a direct impact on the strategic plan of the university by making the institution more effective in carrying out its mission, guided by the initiatives of strategic planning, assessment, academic excellence, student success, and effective budgeting.

2012 SCUP Award for Institutional Integration and Innovation Special Mention

The Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) entry, Creating a 21st Century College, received a Special Mention designation in SCUP’s 2012 Award for Institutional Innovation and Integration.

Established in 2005, GGC is the newest institution in the University System of Georgia and was created to meet the growing needs of the northeast Atlanta metropolitan region. Enrollment reached 118 students in 2006 and has grown to 8,500 students in 2012. Most compelling was the fact that the college grew successfully in such a short period of time.

The committee said the project used a good approach and process that provided a good framework. It was responsive to students by putting academic and student affairs under one umbrella, which played a part in student success.