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University Continuous Improvement | |||||||
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President's Award for Innovation
The President's Award for Innovation recognizes ASU individuals or teams for innovations that improve the educational, administrative, or other organizational processes through creative approaches. Recipients2001-2002Academic Community Engagement Services 1999-2000
ASU Leadership Development Team: Project Duck 1998-99
Implementation of Computer Technology in Processing of Graduate Admissions 1997-98
PeopleLinks Network Team 1996-97
ASU Service Learning Project 2001-2002 Award RecipientsAcademic Community Engagement ServicesAcademic Community Engagement Services* (ACES) has grown into a multi-faceted, campus- and community-wide initiative since 1994, when ASU's English Department, The Salvation Army, and the Roosevelt School District pooled their expertise and resources to link service-learning internships to special sections of English composition. Today, the number of linked composition, linguistics, and English education courses has increased dramatically, and ACES has expanded in support of discipline-specific service learning internships and course-embedded service learning throughout the university, providing training, oversight and research opportunities for students and faculty in the sciences, architecture, counseling, education, interdisciplinary studies, justice studies, languages, math, nursing, philosophy, social work, and sociology. Over 350 undergraduates and graduates are involved each semester in experience-based research, writing, and field application of their classroom learning, and an ever-increasing number of tenured and non-tenured faculty and graduate teaching assistants are mastering the pedagogy of engagement. ACES has created extensive funding and placement opportunities through reciprocal community partnerships with non-profits, corporations, and school districts. ACES also furthers the university's community mission through its America Reads Challenge, JumpStart, and AmeriCorps*VISTA programs. Chain Reaction (Stories of Science & Learning from Arizona State University)The Office of Research Publications strives to expand public awareness regarding the variety and depth of scholarship and creative activity at Arizona State University. In 1998, we reached a new audience with the creation of Chain Reaction, a pilot project publication and its companion Web site. Chain Reaction is designed especially for young readers in grades 4-8. We are the first university in the United States to target this audience with an educational resource of this type. Teacher and student response to the premier Chain Reaction was immediately positive. Four reprints totaling 55,000 copies went to schools throughout Arizona. A total of 110,000 copies of Issue #2 were distributed in fall 2000. Issue #3 required a printing of 150,000 copies distributed to 2,600 teachers at 800 schools in fall 2001. 1999-2000 Award RecipientsASU Leadership Development Team: Project DuckIn the fall of 1999, the ASU Leadership Development Team, a cross-functional group of higher education professionals, developed an innovative strategy to address the challenge of how to increase student involvement on campus. In light of the limited success of traditional methods for publicizing opportunities, the team sought to identify new and creative ways to share information with students. With the goal of increasing students' awareness of involvement opportunities and the benefits of getting involved, the team engaged in a series of meetings and brainstorming sessions. Students participated in the process, by providing valuable input and feedback. The resulting innovation came to be known as "Project Duck." "Project Duck," a multi-level marketing and awareness campaign, featured a duck theme, complete with rubber ducks imprinted with the URL for a newly-created student involvement web site. Posters containing duck-themed "teasers" were distributed across campus, and 1200 rubber ducks were released into the Cady Mall fountain. "Project Duck" generated tremendous curiosity and excitement among students, and continues to positively impact their success by supporting and promoting involvement. ASU and Valley of the Sun Training ProgramArizona State University's Purchasing and Business Services department provides an innovative example of community spirit and active participation in improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Since 1994, Purchasing and Business Services has sponsored a training program in conjunction with Valley of the Sun School and Habilitation Center. The program is the first of its kind that trains developmentally disabled persons in areas that are not normally available to them; areas where they would have upward mobility, above minimum wage salaries and comprehensive benefits packages. Most similar programs train in custodial, fast food and other related areas that provide dead-end jobs. The ASU training requires one-on-one, individualized, training allowing the trainee to receive valuable hands on experience in positions such as mail clerk, copy center clerk, bindery clerk, furniture installer, materials handler and copy machine technician. Training is provided by volunteer ASU employees who train these individuals while performing their own duties. A job coach from Valley of the Sun School is also available to help with training and/or to reinforce program and socialization skills. University Libraries - Electronic ReserveThe University Libraries Electronic Reserve system provides ASU students easy online access to required course reading. Journal articles, tests, syllabi and class notes are digitized and available on any computer with internet access. Students no longer need to make a trip to the library but can now read, download or print these items at their convenience. The documents are easily located through a direct link in the Libraries' online catalog and retrievable with "two clicks of a mouse". The only requirement for the student - remember and enter their ASURITE ID. This system was designed by University Libraries' Access Services and Systems staff. While outside vendors offered programs ranging in price from $47,000 to $70,000, less than $400 was spent by the Libraries' on software. Staff developed the system during the summer of 1999, incorporating the work into their regular work hours. With over 750 files for 169 courses digitized for the Fall 1999 semester, electronic reserve is popular, averaging 11,000 "hits" a month. Students and faculty are very excited and pleased with this new service. 1998-1999 Award RecipientsImplementation of Computer Technology in Processing of Graduate AdmissionsIn the Spring of 1997, the Graduate College and Information Technology
embarked on a project to improve processing of admissions for graduate
studies at Arizona State University. This project is known as the Graduate
Admissions Reengineering Project (GARP). Many facets of this project have
involved staff development and significant process improvement through
reengineering of workflow. Additionally, a large focus of the project has
entailed the implementation of new technology, in support of improved
processes. Included in the first phase of this project were the deployment of a Web
based application for admissions, which now accounts for over 30% of all
graduate applications received. Furthermore, an imaging system was
introduced using new, innovative technology that significantly reduces the
keystrokes required for paper based applications. A special approach has
been adopted by the Technical Team to enable new applications for
admissions to be uploaded to ASU's Student Information System, without
having to re-enter the data. ASU Employee Wellness Program Advisory NetworkA team of ASU faculty and staff developed a proposal for a comprehensive
work site health promotion and wellness program for the enhanced work/life
and well-being of ASU employees. From this team an Advisory Network was
established. The goal was to develop a coordinated, cost-effective program
using existing resources. This would promote holistic health for employees
by providing wellness services and by promoting a healthy workplace
environment. The program has offered an increasing number of diverse
activities and has gauged its effectiveness and determined its programming
goals through ongoing evaluations. Educational programs have been offered
during the lunch hour, and health screenings have been made available to
employees at their department work site. Employees have been kept informed
about the Wellness Program through the Health Watch newsletter, brochures
distributed to new employees during orientation, and a web site. Funding
from the State covers the cost of the Health Watch staff; and ASU provides
the administrative services, facilities and technologies for program
operations. Numerous academic departments contribute faculty and graduate
students time to deliver programs. The University College CenterASU West and Glendale Community College (GCC) have pioneered a new way for
students to earn a college degree. The highly innovative partnership,
called the University-College Center (UCC), makes it possible for more
students to pursue a bachelor's degree at a public university, near home,
without changing campuses. The primary goal is to offer completely seamless transfer for community
college students into an upper-division institution. It is hoped, through
this educational partnership, a greater number of students will achieve
their goal of higher education. GCC and ASU West, through the UCC, are
offering students more choices and an enhanced, encouraging educational
experience. 1997-1998 Award RecipientsPeopleLinks Network TeamThe PeopleLinks Network is located within the Training Unit at the Arizona Prevention Resource Center (APRC) at Arizona State University. The APRC serves Arizona as a statewide resource center, providing accessible technical assistance on a variety of prevention and health promotion issues through training, information dissemination and program evaluation. By promoting collaboration among state agencies, service providers, schools and communities, the APRC provides leadership in the planning and development of effective and results oriented prevention initiatives. The purpose of the PeopleLinks is to promote and support comprehensive prevention planning and implementation in Arizona. Specifically, the PeopleLinks network ensures the availability of a diverse, highly qualified, statewide consultant cadre to provide free training and technical assistance for schools, non-profit agencies, communities, universities, and state agencies throughout Arizona. This project fills a critical need of communities, schools, non-profit agencies, and state agencies. A fundamental challenge for people attempting to effect change and improve services is access to timely, appropriate training and technical assistance. PeopleLinks increases the prevention capacity of the state by providing readily accessible individually designed training and consultation. ASU Repertory Troupe (A.R.T.)The ASU Repertory Troupe (A.R.T.) is a unique campus-wide collaborative tool as well as a community outreach program for ASU. Student performers, playwrights, technicians and facilitators share their talents by serving diverse groups in a variety of innovative ways. Founded by Jean Thomsen in the Theatre Department, it has become an unprecedented and vital artistic network within the University community and has the ability to create significant forums for social awareness issues in the metropolitan arena. These actors continuously perform in mock depositions, trials, etc. for the ASU Law School Clinic. The Date Rape Project is a continually developing series of innovative plays performed in conjunction with events coordinated by Student Life, Student Health, Greek Life, the Sexual Assault Coordinating Committee (S.A.C.C.) and various other departments on campus. Recently, the Date Rape Project has also become involved with S.A.R.V (Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence), a state-wide organization spearheaded by the Oasis Center in Tucson. The Theatre for Youth Tour has performed plays and conducted workshops on Shakespeare in Valley high schools. The Scene Library Tour has performed in classrooms ranging from grade school to upper division courses at ASU. It has also created entertainment for important commemorative events on campus. By participating in the ASU Repertory Troupe and its projects, ASU students become "ambassadors" for the University. They reach out to each other and to the world at large. The A.R.T. provides them with a unique opportunity to become agents for change. Laboratory Management Information System at ASU TeamDue to increasing regulatory compliance demands and focus on campus safety, Risk Management has developed and implemented a laboratory safety certification program with the objective of promoting laboratory safety and ensuring that each campus laboratory fulfills the overlapping regulatory mandates pertaining to occupational safety and environmental protection. The program was developed in-house and utilizes a computer-based laboratory management information system (LMIS) that is capable of tracking laboratory safety activities and chemical use in academic and research laboratories by accessing a series of interactive databases and entry screens. Safety inspections, collection of emergency information, and hazardous material profiles are completed for each laboratory and entered into the system to provide a summary for each building or department. The reporting capability is valuable for the university because it compiles statistical data used to review service measurements and facilitates academic and research program evaluations. Risk Management is able to track which areas are generally in noncompliance and can focus on correcting those areas more effectively. With the objective of preventing laboratory-related injury and illness and potential damage to the environment and property, the laboratory management information system program can be used as an effective laboratory safety compliance tool for other educational institutions. World Wide Web as a Tool for Project Management TeamThis innovative technique evolved from the need to efficiently manage the Graduate Admissions Reengineering Project (G.A.R.P.). Reengineering focuses on radically redesigning and enhancing processes with technology. The "traditional" approach to project management seemed incongruent with the focus of G.A.R.P. and the idea of using the web as a project management tool was explored. This innovation involves using the web as the primary source for distributing information and communicating with seven project teams, all of ASU's academic units, Graduate College employees, and outside entities. Team rosters, distribution lists, meeting dates, and minutes were maintained on the web. Paper copies of documents were distributed only when a hard copy was needed. Team members had immediate access to team documents such as team charters and roles. Frequently asked questions and responses to focus group issues were added to address academic unit issues. Project documents and reports were distributed through the web. While web usage in general has increased dramatically over the past several years, utilizing the web to this extent for project management is in its infancy. This approach enhanced the effectiveness of project communication while greatly reducing staff time and the costs associated with copying and distributing material. 1996-97 President's Award for InnovationASU Service Learning Project‘To raise a child it takes a village;’ to educate a community it requires a University The ASU Service Learning Project is a replicable innovation to help low-income children and families through service learning partnerships between ASU faculty and students and community-based settings, whether schools or non-profit agencies. The project uniquely utilizes the University as an interdisciplinary partner in community-based efforts to address the educational and developmental needs of children scoring below the state and national averages on standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and language. This Service Learning Project reflects the shared missions of the partners and utilizes their specific resources in response to community-identified needs. Emphasizing learning though service as a factor in academic success and a mechanism for community involvement, several ASU departments implemented Service Learning internships. This project uniquely exemplifies the University’s tri-fold mission of teaching, community service, and research as it provides a meaningful dimension for undergraduates and improves our community, one child at a time. The University’s profile in the community is heightened; its presence is valued by parents and community organizations. Office of General CounselThe Office of General Counsel developed its workshop to provide university administrators with practical information about laws and university policies that impact the services the university provides to students, employees, and the public. Each workshop session addresses specific legal issues relevant to the university community, provides practical information about current legal developments, and provides functional workshop materials that may be used as a reference throughout the year. The interactive nature of our workshop encourages participants to learn from each other by applying otherwise abstract legal principles to hypothetical examples taken from the university environment. The workshop addresses issues that impact ASU Main, ASU East, and ASU West, all of which are represented by our guest speakers, facilitators and participants. Speakers and facilitators have included ASU attorneys, university representatives from Affirmative Action, the Campus Environment Team, Human Resources, Purchasing and Risk Management, guest speakers from County and State Government and attorneys who represent other universities. The workshop has improved the ability of the Office of General Counsel to provide timely and useful legal advice to the university community. Purchasing and Logistics Management ProgramDue to continuing questions about classroom and research relevancy as well as funding concerns, the Purchasing and Logistics Management Program developed and implemented an academic-business partnership strategy. The three primary components of this strategy are: the Center for Advanced Purchasing studies; the Purchasing and Logistics Management track in the MBA program; and, the corporate relationship efforts in the undergraduate program. The components are highly related as they use various types of partnerships to achieve their goals. The Center of Advanced Purchasing Studies uses the Executive Purchasing Roundtable to establish research agendas and generate funding for the research. The MBA track uses executive and practicing professionals in the classes to assure that leading edge business practices are presented. The undergraduate program works with practicing managers to review the curriculum, teach in the class and arrange for company visits so that the students have a realistic and current perception of business practices. As a result of these original partnerships, students receive attractive job offers from companies throughout the United States and funding is available to support relevant research. "FirstClass" Electronic Communication SystemFirstClass is an electronic communication system with a powerful and easy-to-use graphical interface that allows all School of Management faculty, staff, and students to be electronically linked. It integrates sophisticated e-mail with workgroup communication services. FirstClass offers the same ease of use, functionality and high performance whether using a network or a modem connection. The School of Management operates FirstClass on a Windows NT server and has 20 dedicated modem lines to provide users with remote (from home or work) access. All School of Management faculty, staff, and students (over 1,500 active accounts) use FirstClass. Student classroom uses include: accessing course syllabi, assignments, lecture notes, grade postings; electronically submitting assignments and receiving feedback from professors, engaging in on-line classroom discussions; working on group projects using the chat and conferencing capabilities; and collaborating on written assignments via the file transfer/upload features. Student services available on-line include: advising, electronic filing and processing of forms, job postings, career information, and general announcement of activities such as the schedule of classes. FASTTThe FASTT Web Team developed ASU’s Financial Assistance Web site, accessible world-wide on the Internet. The site provides comprehensive information to current and prospective students on financial assistance and related matters. FASTT Web also offers the following conveniences for ASU’s current and prospective students:
Using FASTT Web often eliminates the need to come to camp |