Effectiveness Evaluations

Mission

The Newnan Center of the University of West Georgia will serve the regional constituencies by providing leadership in higher education and stewardship of state and university resources. 
The Newnan Center will promote a regional perspective on higher education that attends to the current and developing needs of the community, its citizens and students, and relates them effectively to the University System and its institutions.
The Newnan Center will support the Advisory Board in achieving its vision for the Center by providing leadership in analyzing, monitoring, and anticipating higher education trends and developments, and by planning for the future of the Center.
The Newnan Center will act as steward of higher education resources by managing fiscal resources through university policies and procedures, overseeing facility maintenance and renovation activities, coordinating faculty and curriculum, using technology to advance learning, and evaluating the performance of the Center.

Goals

Goal 1.  Increase enrollment at the Newnan Center
Strategies to meet this goal included:

• Increased emphasis on marketing and community visibility

The Newnan Center continues to advertise in local newspapers and magazines.  In 2008, Lisa Ledbetter created several new promotional ads by photographing and interviewing some of the Newnan Center’s Advisory Board members who are well known and respected in the community.  These ads were placed in the Newnan-Coweta Magazine.  The ads were so striking that the Newnan staff framed copies of them for display on the walls of the newly renovated lecture hall.  Ms. Ledbetter also created some unique newspaper ads using Newnan Center students. 

The Newnan Center staff continues to keep the Newnan/Coweta community aware of and involved in University activities through quarterly Advisory Board meetings. 
In August of 2008, the Advisory Board met to plan the Center’s first annual A-Day fundraiser.  Advisory Board member and city councilman, Bob Coggin, along with his wife Millie, volunteered to host a community hotdog supper at their home on October 13, 2008, in order to increase awareness of UWG’s presence in Newnan and to encourage contributions to the Newnan Center.  Ernie Henderson of University Development & Alumni Relations assisted with planning by providing a list of Coweta alumni and past donors.  The event resulted in good newspaper coverage with color photos and articles; President Sethna spoke to the group; and the money raised helped with the allocation of student scholarships.

In September of 2008, the Newnan Center created a display to be located at the Coweta Fairgrounds during the week of the annual Coweta County Fair. 

In the fall of 2008, the Newnan Center staff began producing a newsletter, The Newnan Center Connection, which has been printed and mailed out each semester both to Coweta citizens and to UWG staff and departments.  It is also emailed to all Newnan students.  The first edition was published in November of 2008.  The newsletter highlights Newnan Center events and features spotlights on faculty members and students with photos and biographical information. 

Having received an invitation from Newnan High School, Assistant Director Rebecca Smith and Director Cathy Wright set up a Newnan Center display at Newnan High School’s College Night on November 18, 2008, where they met with dozens of high school students and their parents.

In December of 2008, Director Cathy Wright presented a program about the UWG Newnan Center to the Newnan Kiwanis Club.  In June of 2009, the Newnan Kiwanis Club met at the Newnan Center and, after a brief presentation, toured the facilities.

In January of 2009, Development & Alumni Relations placed employee, Ernie Henderson, at the Newnan Center one day a week (Tuesdays) to assist with community relations and fundraising efforts.  In addition to meeting with the Newnan Kiwanis Club at noon on Tuesdays, Ernie canvasses the community, helping to secure in-kind and other support for the University.  Ernie donated a large bulletin board for the newly renovated lecture hall and secured an identical donation from alumnus Eddie Cook, who owns an office supply store in downtown Newnan.

Director Cathy Wright continues to be an active member of the Newnan Rotary Club.
On February 12, 2009, Director Cathy Wright participated in the Newnan Rotary Club’s annual Career Day, where she presented to three classes of eighth grade students at Madras Middle School.  She also assisted with the Rotary Club’s annual fireworks display on July 4 at Newnan High School’s stadium.

On May 20, 2009, the Newnan Center Advisory Board met to plan events to celebrate the transfer of ownership of the Newnan Center property from Coweta County Commission to the Board of Regents, USG.  The board decided on a ceremony to be held on August 3, 2009, to honor county commissioners for the gift.  Invitees would include past and present county commissioners, advisory board members, community leaders, and key UWG personnel.  A separate community-wide Open House was scheduled for August 10, 2009.  Reps from several UWG departments will set up displays and be available to present information to visitors.  At this May meeting, 09 Newnan Center scholarship winners were also recognized.

The Newnan Center continued this year to support economically disadvantaged students.
In May of 2009, the Newnan Center awarded scholarships to four Newnan students.  The Newnan Center also created a new scholarship this year to be awarded to a Newnan nursing student.  The center used some locally raised A-Day funds to supplement two scholarships which had dropped in value this year due to the lagging economy.
(aligns with Chancellor’s Strategic Goal Five, assisting economically disadvantaged students in meeting the cost of college)

• Collaboration with other institutions through the CoHE (Commission for the Promotion of Private and Public Higher Education, Coweta Co.) and Chamber

The Newnan Center Director serves as a member of the CoHE and participates in meetings where partner institutions (public and private universities, technical colleges, K-12 public school systems, city and county government and development authorities) investigate collaborative efforts to provide educational opportunities for Coweta and surrounding communities.  Topics of interest explored this year have included articulation of courses between institutions and the feasibility of shared space through a “University Center”.
(aligns with the Chancellor’s objective of increasing the use of access institutions and the joint use of facilities as outlined in Strategic Goal Two and with the objective of creating a closer working relationship with the Department of Technical and Adult Education outlined in Strategic Goal Four).  In April of 2009, the CoHE held its quarterly meeting at the Newnan Center in the newly renovated lecture hall.

The Newnan Center Director continues to participate with the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce in special meetings which relate to educational matters affecting the community.  On October 22, 2008, the Director attended the Chamber’s community wide Economic Summit.  On March 20, 2009, both the Director and Assistant Director participated in the Chamber’s Coweta Core Industries Summit and Roundtable Discussions.  Both Director and Assistant Director have begun attending the Chamber’s monthly Early Bird Forum breakfast meetings.

The Newnan Center continues its relationship with the Coweta high schools’ Teacher Pipeline program, which affords high school students the opportunity to spend time in the Coweta schools to determine their level of interest in the field of education. A UWG Newnan/Teacher Pipeline Seminar in which high school students gain information about UWG’s education degree programs was held again this year at the Newnan Center in February of 2009 and will continue to be an annual event.

In November of 2008, Director and PDK member, Cathy Wright, co-presented at a PDK International Summit on Education in San Antonio, Texas, where she shared the unique part that UWG and its College of Education had played in the partnership with the Coweta County Board of Education that resulted in the nationally recognized 4th Year Teacher Intern Project. 

In January of 2009, Center Director participated and represented UWG in a PDK/FEA sponsored meeting of Coweta County middle and high school students who are members of FEA (Future Educators of America) at the Coweta School Board office on Werz Blvd.

During 08-09 Newnan Center Director was asked to become a member of the Work-Based Learning Advisory Board at CEC, which helps to locate businesses or other locations where high school students can gain experience in the workplace.  A celebratory breakfast where students reported their work experiences was held at the Coweta Fairgrounds on May 14, 2009.

• Improved customer service

In July of 2008, Newnan’s receptionist, Helen Brouillette, retired, and the center was without a receptionist until October, when Julili Fowler was hired to fill the vacancy.
Julili very quickly became well known for her thoroughness and excellence in customer service.

In 2008, a new staff position was approved, and Cheryl Coppolella began serving as Newnan’s Instructional & Student Support Specialist.  Her duties included advising students and assisting faculty and students with the operation of instructional equipment, including computers and AV equipment.

New sets of instructions for operating/trouble shooting AV equipment in classrooms were printed out, laminated and placed at each instructor station. 

Two offices, formerly used by ancillary programs no longer housed here, were designated for use by visiting faculty.  An additional office area was set up in the office hallway for use by visiting staff or faculty.  Faculty mailboxes were also set up and made accessible to visiting faculty.

In July of 2008, Auxiliary Services began scheduling bookstore visits for Newnan students each semester and brought a van load of items down for sale in July and September of 2008 and February and April of 2009.  Auxiliary Services also sent out a survey to Newnan students about food and drink options in the vending area and responded to survey results by bringing in new and more varied food and drink items.

In fall of 2008, the Newnan Center instituted a SITS program, allocated an office space for it, purchased necessary equipment, and hired a student, Seth Coltrain, to man it. 
During the 08-09 year, the new SITS program executed 88 work orders for students.  In addition, since January of 2009,18 releases of the MCA software were made to students.
In May of 2009, in order to increase SITS efficiency, a new email account, newnanit@westga.edu, was created for tracking faculty/staff IT issues.  

In September of 2008, COE placed an ECED advisor, Tammy Richardson, at the Newnan Center one day a week (Mondays) to accommodate the students enrolled in the newly begun B.S. ECED program. 

In order to provide some out-of-class seating for students, several long pews, which were donated from the old Coweta Courthouse, were placed in the hallways outside the classrooms and vending area. 

In March of 2009, wireless Internet was made available to students and staff at the Newnan Center.

Security cameras were installed at the front entrance, front lobby, hallway, and in three computer labs; and a camera monitoring system was installed on 3 office computers.

• Addition of two new academic programs

1.  A new program was added in the fall of 2008, the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. (All four years may be completed in Newnan.)
2.  Another new program, planned in 2008, began in January, 2009, the Master of Arts in Criminology.

Newnan Program Updates

• UWG School of Nursing has been operating in Newnan since 2005, offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.  The Newnan program has graduated two classes, 2007 and 2008.  There are currently 150 students in the Newnan nursing program.

• The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program has completed its second year at the Newnan Center; it meets on Tuesday evenings for 22 months.  First graduates of the program graduated in the spring of 2009.  Enrollment has more than doubled in two years; current enrollment is 42.

• In the summer of 2008, a record number of core classes (10) were offered at the Newnan Center and heavily advertised to the community.   In the past, the summer schedule consisted of only one undergraduate core class, usually an English class, and many graduate classes.

• Programs offered in Newnan include:  Core Curriculum (first two years of any degree program), Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Early Childhood, Master of Science in Middle Grades Education, Master of Science in Special Education, Master of Science in Educational Leadership, Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Criminology.

Newnan Center Enrollment in 08-09
The Newnan Center offered 174 classes this year (120 in 07-08), with 3400 seats filled. Unduplicated annual enrollment during 2008-09 was 1360, a little over 10% of the university’s total enrollment and an increase of 300 students over the 07-08 year.  About 45 professors/instructors teach in Newnan each semester.  Most of them also teach in Carrollton.  Semester enrollment fluctuates between 500-800 students each semester. Enrollment in 08-09 was about half undergraduate students, half graduate students; half traditional students, half non-traditional. 

Goal 2.  Increase support of academic programs
Strategies to meet this goal included:

• Increased communication with colleges and departments

Several departments scheduled visits/tours of the Newnan Center this year to participate in the planning or creation of new programs, services, or special events.  The Newnan Center staff welcomed representatives from ITS, Development & Alumni Relations, the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Nursing, Admissions, Criminology, University Police, Communications & Marketing, and Career Services.  Assistant Director, Rebecca Smith, met with Chief Tom Mackel to plan emergency management strategies.

In April of 2009, the Newnan Center staff participated for the first time in Preview Day on the Carrollton Campus.   Newnan staff also attended the School of Nursing’s Open House in Carrollton on April 30, 2009.

• Designation of needed space for specific programs

Several renovations took place during 2008-09 that directly benefit academic programs.

1.  Conversion of a classroom to a biology lab
2.  Conversion of a classroom and an office into Nursing Skills Labs, equipped with hospital beds donated by Piedmont Newnan Hospital, built in cabinets, equipment, and simulators provided by UWG School of Nursing.  An additional small student computer lab was converted to a storage room for nursing supplies.
3. Conversion of large auditorium into a tiered lecture hall which will seat 62 (planned in 2008, completed in March of 2009)
4. Conversion of a classroom into an additional computer lab with 30 new computer desks and computers to assist with nursing testing and with test proctoring (The campus now has 3 computer labs with a total of 74 stations.  There is also a small student lab with 5 stations.)
5. Wireless Internet for entire Newnan Campus (planned in 2008, completed in March 2009)

• Location of needed resources for programs

In September of 2008, Center Director personally purchased and donated $800 of AIMS books to assist ECED students and instructors with science and math activities.  These items were placed in the newly begun Teaching Materials Center.

In February of 2009, Center Director submitted a proposal (SRAP) to hire a Student Research Assistant to begin in fall of 2009.  The proposal was accepted and funds will be made available in fall of 2009.  This student will locate and acquire additional resources for the Teaching Materials Center.

With assistance from the Carrollton campus, funds were provided to purchase computer desks and chairs to create an additional 30-station computer lab in room 1124, which was needed for nursing testing and for online test proctoring.

On December 5, 2008, Newnan Center staff provided a luncheon to honor Newnan nursing school graduates.  Newnan staff then arranged for the nursing graduates’ pinning ceremony to be held locally at the Newnan Wadsworth Auditorium on December 12.  Following the ceremony, Newnan staff provided a reception to honor the graduates, family members, and nursing staff.

• Support of Distance Education Programs

The Newnan Center is a test proctoring site for eCore classes and other online classes from several universities around the country.  Students taking online classes sign up to take their midterm and final exams at the Newnan Center for a $10 fee.  Three computer labs are now available for test proctoring and are equipped with security cameras and microphones.  During the 08-09 year, 601 exams were proctored at the Newnan Center.  (07-08 total was 484.)   In June of 2009, both Newnan Center Director and Assistant Director attended and assisted with the operation of the DLA Conference in St. Simons, GA.

• Support of UWG Continuing Education Programs

The Newnan Center continues to receive requests for continuing education courses, specifically computer classes, for area citizens and continues to pass these requests along to the Continuing Education Department.  Very few were scheduled at the Newnan Center during 2008-09.   Newnan staff members would like to be able to independently plan and schedule continuing education classes at the center.

Example of Using Assessment & Outcomes to Change/Improve a Process

Improved Customer Service (also found under Goal 1 on page 4)
In response to student needs and requests,

• the Newnan Center provided more opportunities for advising in Newnan.  A part-time COE advisor was assigned to Newnan one day per week;
• a new position, Instructional & Student Support Specialist, was created for both student advising and faculty support;
•  a SITS program was begun in Newnan so that students could have access to computer repair and software installations;
• wireless Internet was installed;
• more core classes were offered at the Newnan Center;
•  UWG Bookstore visits were scheduled in Newnan periodically;
• more and varied food and drink options were made available at the Newnan Center.

Designation of Needed Space for Specific Programs (also found under Goal 2 on page 6)
In response to faculty and program needs,

• faculty offices and mailboxes were provided for visiting faculty’s use;
• an additional computer lab was added to support both the test proctoring program and nursing program testing; security cameras were added to all three of the center’s computer labs;
• an old auditorium was converted to a tiered lecture hall with seating for 62 students;
• a Teaching Materials Center was created for ECED students and instructors.

Department Condition

Personnel

The Newnan Center operates under the auspices of the Extended Degree Programs. Operation of the Newnan Center continues to be conducted by a small staff of five members, four full-time and one part-time.  However, this year, it was short-staffed for extended periods.  Center Director, Cathy Wright, is completing two years as director.  An Assistant Director, Rebecca Smith, was hired in August of 2008; and, in addition to ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, she is heavily involved in facility maintenance, IT issues, budget and travel issues.  The receptionist/test proctor position was vacant until late October, when it was filled by a very competent Julili Fowler.  Instructional & Student Support Specialist, Cheryl Coppolella, took maternity leave in December of 2008 through March of 2009, and then elected to resign her position in May of 2009.  Losing her as an advisor was detrimental. The College of Education, however, volunteered to send an ECED advisor, Tammy Richardson, to Newnan on Mondays, beginning in late September of 2008.  Javarus Boyce remains in the Technology Support Specialist position.  Teri Lewis continues in her part-time role as Administrative Assistant and spends much of her time with budget matters.  In January of 2009, Development & Alumni Relations, offered to send Ernie Henderson to Newnan on Tuesdays to assist with community relations and fundraising.  More and more faculty are utilizing the faculty offices, and sometimes scheduling them at the desired times becomes tricky.   A part-time casual labor employee, Bobby Royal, served as the center’s security guard this year. Budget allows him to be available only a few hours in the evenings and on Saturdays.  A part-time casual labor custodian, Fred Goodell, was hired this year; and he does a fairly good job with cleaning in 20 hours per week.

Areas of focus
Areas of focus this year for Newnan staff continued to be improvement of inter-campus relationships, improvement in customer service, equity of student services, and management of needed renovations/conversions.  Another emphasis this year has been the creation and implementation of staff development plans for each employee and participation in trainings on CourseDen, PeopleSoft, ADP, etc.  An area of intense focus this year was staff knowledge of and compliance with UWG/USG policies and procedures.  Assistant Director, Rebecca Smith, has proved to be an invaluable resource for this instruction. 

Student Enrollment and Retention
The Newnan Center, located just off I-85’s Exit 47, brings UWG courses to a wide population.  In the 2008-09 year, students from 48 Georgia counties attended classes at the center; and there were also a few students from four counties in Alabama.  The majority of Newnan students come from 11 Georgia counties: Coweta, followed by Carroll, Fulton, Fayette, Cobb, Douglas, Dekalb, Clayton, Henry, Paulding, and Troup counties.
Unduplicated fall 2008 enrollment was 819, up from 553 in fall of 2007. 
Total annual unduplicated enrollment for 08-09 was 1360.  856 were graduate students; 504 were undergraduates.

Undergraduate numbers at the Newnan Center continue to increase.  Newnan students now comprise a mix of 53% graduate students and 47% undergraduates, approximately 50% traditional and 50% non-traditional students.  Increasing numbers of students request the Newnan Campus in their application and registration processes.

Courses
The number of courses offered in Newnan increased this year from 120 in 07-08 to 174 in
08-09. Undergraduate courses increased in number from 56 in 07-08 to 100 in 08-09.
The number of graduate courses increased from 64 in 07-08 to 74 in 08-09.
Of the 174 courses offered in 08-09, 27 were offered by Arts & Sciences, 12 by Richards College of Business, 47 by the Nursing Department, and 88 by the College of Education.

Facility Maintenance and Repairs
Greenscapes Landscaping continued their contract this year for lawn service.
Carroll Exterminating continued the pest control.  Blue Chip Air maintains the HVAC systems.

Utility bills challenged the budget this year with electricity costs increasing almost 15% and water bills increasing almost 12%. 

In July of 2008, the 18 year-old carpet and baseboards in the administrative offices were replaced.  Offices and hallways were repainted.  In December of 2008, three classrooms were repainted and new baseboards were installed.  

During 2008-09, the Newnan Center experimented with hiring a part-time casual labor custodian, rather than contracting with a cleaning service.  This custodian, Fred Goodell, is a retired manager from the Hapeville Ford Plant, who desired to do some part-time work.  This arrangement has worked well this year, and the plan is to continue this arrangement during 2009-10. 

2008-09 was a year for unexpected expenses.  HVAC system repairs alone totaled $4880; roof repairs to the main building cost $1300; plumbing repairs were over $1000; and other repairs (security system, electrical in GEC, wall repairs) brought the total unbudgeted repairs to almost $8000. 

Departmental Achievements

• Two new staff positions were added--Assistant Director and Instructional & Student Support Specialist.  A part-time advisor from COE was scheduled in Newnan one day a week.
• Addition of B.S. in Early Childhood Education degree program in Newnan brought the total number of undergraduate degree programs to two.
• Addition of M.A. in Criminology degree program in Newnan brought the total number of graduate degree programs offered to six.
• Newnan Center published its first newsletter, The Newnan Center Connection, in November of 2009.
• Newnan MBA program celebrated its first graduates in May 2009.
• Newnan Center received approval to hire for the 2009-10 year both a Student Research Assistant, who will help to enhance the Teacher Materials Center for ECED, and a Federal Work Study Student. 
• A classroom was converted to a biology lab.
• A classroom and two smaller rooms were converted to nursing skills labs.
• An office was converted to a SITS workroom.
• Security cameras were installed at front entrance, in hallway, and in three computer labs for test proctoring.
• Old auditorium was converted to a tiered lecture hall.
• A classroom was converted to a new computer lab with 31 stations.
• Wireless Internet was installed at the Newnan Center.
• An additional scholarship in memory of Larry Grams was created to be awarded each year by the Newnan Center to a Newnan nursing student. 
• The second of an annual graduation luncheon for Newnan nursing students was held at the Newnan Center on December 5, 2008.  The pinning ceremony and reception were held in Newnan this year at the Wadsworth Auditorium. 

Student Achievements

• The second graduation ceremony for Newnan nursing graduates was held on December 13, 2008. 
• In May of 2009, scholarships were awarded to four Newnan students.
• In May of 2009, Newnan’s first MBA students completed the two-year program and graduated.    

Challenges
More undergraduate business courses in Newnan
Addition of more programs in Newnan, possibly MPA
Space for student lounge, study area, and food court
New roof and brick façade for GEC building
New HVAC systems
Conversion of old solar field into an athletic field