An open curriculum challenges students to acquire a broad liberal arts education. We will help students meet that challenge by making structural and policy improvements to existing advising and course selection procedures. Likewise, we will assess College programs and procedures to ensure that the educational experience is sufficiently rigorous, accessible, and pertinent to our changing student demographic. Action programs for implementation in this plan are organized into four areas:
A. Advising and Curricular Programs, Policies, and Procedures
Convene a task force, working with the Committee on Academic Policy, to review the following: a concern about disparities in advising; a decline in the number of students taking courses with a quantitative literacy component; a rise in average grades; a perception that department offerings and student curricular choices favor depth over breadth; and the ability of juniors and seniors to enroll in courses outside their concentration (DoF).
Update February 2009:A Task Force on Advising was established in January 2009: Steve Yao, chair; Todd Franklin; Steve Orvis; Edith Toegel; Leslie North; Leslie Bell; Phyllis Breland '80; Karen Brewer; Kristin Friedel. The Committee on Academic Policy will consider all issues other than advising.
Update June 2009:Hamilton received two separate $100,000 grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the first to establish a consortium of six Upstate New York colleges to pursue academic and operating collaborations, and the second to ensure Hamilton's liberal arts focus for (1) curricular breadth and advising, (2) writing and research, (3) speaking and creative performance, and (4) quantitative, symbolic, and scientific reasoning.
Update June 2009:The Task Force on Advising issued its report that included four recommendations focusing primarily on pre-major advising: 1. Update admission and new student orientation documents to clarify and emphasize student responsibility throughout the advising process; 2. Establish an orientation program for new and continuing advisors to highlight faculty responsibilities, academic requirements, and College policies and resources; 3. Redefine advising as a teaching responsibility as opposed to a service responsibility; 4. Implement assessment of advising and corresponding system of accountability to ensure its effectiveness. The Task Force further recommended that these efforts be undertaken by the new Curricular Breadth and Advising Leader (funding from the Mellon Foundation grant) with assistance from an ad hoc committee. Report appendices: Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix D (All are PDF )
B. Co-Curricular Programming
Evaluate the reallocation of existing space for the creation of a cultural education center (VPA&F, DoF, DoS, VPIT)
Update February 2009:A Task Force on the Cultural Education Center was established in January 2009: Julio Videras, chair; Edwin Gaston '11; Denise Ghartey '12; Bill Huggins; Angel Nieves; Lisa Magnarelli '96.
Update June 2009:Task Force considering the creation of a cultural education center issued its recommendations (view report): Short-term proposal was for the renovation and expansion of the Afro-Latin Cultural Center (the Azel Backus House was mentioned as an alternative); Long-term proposal was for a cluster of three buildings, including the renovated ALCC, the Horowitch Career Center and the Ferry Building. The Task Force also recommended hiring a director and an office assistant and creating a committee to determine the mission and goals of the center, its governance and programming. The Deans of Faculty and Students expect to announce the appointment of a programming director in July 2009.
C. Athletics and Physical Education Program
Pursue full integration into NESCAC for all intercollegiate athletics teams (DoF, DA&FA)
Update February 2009:Hamilton continues to pursue this objective with NESCAC presidents.
Update June 2009: Following a vote of the NESCAC presidents at their April 2009 meeting, all Hamilton teams will compete in NESCAC effective with the 2011-12 academic year.
Expand partnerships between physical education and academics (DoF)
Update February 2009:This action item was referred to the faculty's standing Committee on Athletics in January 2009.
Update June 2009: The Committee on Athletics formalized the practice of having "faculty team advisors" and has circulated a job description. The Committee will ask for faculty volunteers to meet with prospective student-athletes in their academic fields of interest.
D. Academic Facilities
Complete construction projects already under way (VPA&F)
Update February 2009:Phase 2 of the renovation and expansion of the Kirner-Johnson Building is on schedule and on budget.
Update June 2009:The Kirner-Johnson construction project was completed in May; punch-list items are being addressed.
Continue with planning and design for new projects (VPA&F, VPIT)
Update February 2009: The College has contracted for schematic designs from its arts facilities architects.
Update June 2009:Schematic designs were completed and presented to the Board of Trustees in June. The architects will prepare documents and drawings to support fundraising efforts.
Undertake a fuller study of campus use in the summer (All) and pursue summer academic workshops, seminars and institutes that make use of academic buildings, reflect institutional emphases, and take advantage of faculty strengths and expertise (DoF) [Also being considered as part of Item 4 "Engagement with the World," Section B "Scholarship and Creative Activity"]
Update February 2009: A Task Force on Summer Programs was established in January 2009 to "consider the establishment of summer conferences and programs that reflect institutional priorities. Its membership includes: Andrew Jillings, chair; Maurice Isserman; Onno Oerlemans; Sharon Williams, Dannelle Parker; Sharon Rippey; Irene Cornish; and Margie Thickstun.
Update June 2009: Vice President of Administration and Finance Karen Leach gave a preliminary report in June to the Board of Trustees outlining the pros and cons of the Dartmouth Model.
Update June 2009: The Summer Program Task Force issued a report outlining the logistics for an "Adirondack Essentials" summer workshop "for alumni, professional writers and recreational writers who wish to live adventurously and write well."
Update June 2009: The East Asian Languages Department submitted a proposal to the Dean of Faculty to create a summer Chinese-language institute for K-12 students.
2. Self-Governing Community:
Education for self-direction demands an inclusive self-governing community. To the extent possible, constituencies ought to be self-regulating – students regulating students, faculty governing faculty, and staff administering to staff – as well as interlocking, to assure consistent, inclusive, and effective exchange and interaction. Some of this happens already: students regulate themselves through Student Assembly, the Honor Code, and the Judicial Board, and faculty do the same through policies and procedures set forth in the Faculty Handbook. Because all employees add an important perspective, new governance policies will incorporate a fuller range of voices and accommodate greater representation among and between campus constituencies. Various planning subcommittees called for enhancing self-governance at Hamilton; ideas fell into three categories:
A. Community Building
Review the way all students are acclimated to campus (DoS)
Update February 2009: This action item was referred in January 2009 to the faculty's standing Committee on Student Activities.
Update June 2009: The Committee on Student Activities reviewed the current orientation program and suggested that faculty advisors attend the lecture by Maura Cullen and help to facilitate the small group discussions that follow. The committee is also exploring the possibility of housing first-year students together in clusters around campus and supports the concept of a first-year experience that would be part of the curriculum and include a residential component. Work on these issues will continue in the fall. (See also "B. Student Development" below.)
Update June 2009: The College continues to promote the community-building aspects of its pre-orientation programs. As of June 15, Adirondack Adventure had 222 enrollments and the Urban Service Experience had 28, which represents 53% of the incoming class.
Update June 2009: Kristin Strohmeyer, Reference Librarian, has been appointed to the new role of Coordinator of Marketing and Outreach in the Hamilton College Library.
Reexamine the four classifications of employee groups (VPA&F)
Update February 2009: This action item was referred in January 2009 to the Campus Planning Committee, which was charged to "pursue new governance structures and a more inclusive governing organization." (See also "B. Governance Policy and Procedures" below.)
Update June 2009: The Campus Planning Committee has recommended that the President establish a task force for explore the creation of a staff assembly for non-faculty employees. (See also "B. Governance Policy and Procedures" below.)
Continue progress toward a campus population whose diversity reflects the coming generations of employees and students (All)
Update February 2009: The Senior Staff is considering expansion of opportunity programs.
Update June 2009: Preliminary statistics for the Class of 2013 indicate that it will be the most diverse class on record as measured by the percentages of multicultural students from the U.S. (20%) and international students (6%). Thirteen percent belong to the first generation in their family to attend college. Thirty-six states and 25 countries are represented in the class. Final statistics will be available in the fall.
B. Governance Policy and Procedures
Evaluate the work of all committees to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and representation (DoF, VPA&F, DoS, EAP) and pursue new governance structures and a more inclusive governing organization (VPA&F)
Update February 2009: This action item was referred in January 2009 to the Campus Planning Committee. In February the committee began deliberations on the creation of a staff assembly (for all non-faculty employees) and the inclusion of students on standing committees.
Update June 2009: The Campus Planning Committee recommends a pilot project in 2009-10 with amenable faculty committees to include students as non-voting participants. The committee further recommends that the President establish a task force to explore a staff assembly organization for non-faculty employees. (See also "A. Community Building" above.)
C. Co-Curricular Social and Residential Facilities
Convene a task force of faculty and students to make recommendations for increased opportunities for co-curricular faculty and student engagement (DoF, DoS)
Update February 2009: This action item was referred in January 2009 to the faculty's standing Committee on Student Activities.
Update June 2009: The Board of Trustees approved moving forward with the renovation and expansion of Emerson Hall for student activities.
Pursue athletics facilities that can be completed through the plant renewal budget or through fundraising (DoF, VPA&F, VPC&D, VPIT)
Update February 2009: Pricing being obtained in the event funding becomes available.
Update June 2009: The Board of Trustees approved the renovation of Steuben Field with an artificial grass surface.
D. Sustainability
Implement the recommendations of the Green Team and fulfill the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (VPA&F, VPIT)
Update February 2009: In January, the College's sustainability committee reviewed a study of Hamilton's environmental stewardship and carbon footprint. Created by the consulting firm Sightlines, the study measured, monitored and benchmarked Hamilton against other colleges and universities and analyzed the distribution of its greenhouse emissions by various activities. In addition, planning is under way for summer construction projects that will further Hamilton's commitment to sustainability. Projects include the demolition of North and South Courts (with attendant storm water retention improvements, re-use of the exterior stone and reduction in energy usage), the replacement of windows in Benedict Hall and upgrades to the heating system in Benedict.
Update June 2009: New and ongoing initiatives such as the Residence Hall Energy Challenge and the second annual Ham, Cram and Scram demonstrate the College's progress in this area. LEED certification is being pursued for the Kirner-Johnson Building. The College's Green Team is finalizing the draft of a Climate Action Plan and will invite comments later this summer.
3. Dialogue and Debate:
Self-direction and self-governance require and engender dialogue and debate; opportunities to enhance skills and deepen expertise will be provided to all students and employees, ensuring that the College is an educational institution for all. Hamilton stands firmly in support of academic freedom. We also recognize that with such freedom comes the responsibility to accept ownership of one's ideas and to be prepared to defend one's position, and to be able to articulate the positions of others and engage them respectfully. The strategic planning subcommittees identified three areas in which to focus our efforts:
A. Effective Communication
Increase communications vehicles that contribute to full participation in the life and functioning of the College (All)
Update February 2009: Senior Staff is considering implementation strategies for this action item.
Update June 2009: The Senior Staff plans to begin holding monthly community meetings in the fall. The meetings will be topically based and organized by the offices of the Dean of Faculty and the Dean of Students.
B. Student Development
Establish a task force to review how students are acclimated to Hamilton (DoS, DoF)
Update February 2009: This action item was referred in January 2009 to the faculty's standing Committee on Student Activities.
Update June 2009 : The Committee on Student Activities has recommended changes to the current orientation program, including the training of Resident Advisors, Orientation Leaders and Adirondack Adventure leaders, enhancing early connections with academic advisors and the diversity lecture by Maura Cullen (along with the small group discussions that follow). The committee is interested in housing first-year students together in clusters around campus and supports the concept of a first-year experience that would be part of the curriculum and include a residential component. Work on these issues will continue in the fall. (See also "A. Community Building" above.)
Update June 2009: To facilitate proficiency in information and media literacy across the curriculum, Reference Librarian Glynis Asu has been appointed to the new role of Coordinator of Information Literacy in the Hamilton College Library. In addition, the Library hosted a workshop for faculty on May 21, 2009, titled "Information Literacy and Accreditation: Mandates for Faculty and Librarians." Librarians will continue to work with faculty and Information Technology Services staff in Fall 2009 to determine how we can create proficiency in information and media literacy across the curriculum.
C. Faculty and Staff Development
Invest in new and continuing employees (All)
Update February 2009: Compensation surveys were completed and the results were reported to the Staff Advisory Council. "Hamilton Cares" was launched in February 2009 to recognize major events in the personal lives of College employees.
Update June 2009: In a difficult economy, the decision to provide flat-rate salary increases for all employees was intended to help those earning least and most likely to be affected by the economic downturn. The College also adjusted staff salaries for those positions that warranted changes as determined by market survey data.
4. Engagement with the World:
The purpose of an education centered on self-direction, self-governance, and thoughtful dialogue is to prepare students for effective engagement with the world. Society is served by giving students and faculty alike a place for thinking, imagining, and creating. But on a more practical level – and especially in this economy – we recognize that everything we do on College Hill is influenced by the world around us. While our purposes and goals are lofty, our realities are shaped in part by forces beyond us. At the same time, we are not here simply to perpetuate Hamilton College, but to help students prepare themselves for careers and service in the nation and beyond.
A. Diversity and Access
Meet the demonstrated financial need of every student (DA&FA, VPC&D)
Update February 2009: Hamilton reaffirmed its policy to meet the full demonstrated need of each student and the College continues to respond to mid-year requests from current students for new or increased financial aid.
Update June 2009: Hamilton met the full demonstrated need of every student admitted to the Class of 2013 and responded to 65 mid-year requests from current students for new or increased aid due to economic hardship (unemployment, medical, foreclosure, general economy). To date, the College is not aware of any students who left Hamilton for economic reasons or plan to do so in the coming year.
Become need-blind in admission (DA&FA, VPC&D, VPA&F)
Update February 2009: For the second consecutive year, the admission staff will monitor and attempt to reduce the number of cases where a family's ability to pay becomes a factor in the admission decision.
Update June 2009: The number of cases where a family's ability to pay was used as a factor in the admission decision decreased due to a larger financial aid budget for the class entering in the fall. The "need-blind experiment" carried out this year suggests that Hamilton would have to increase its financial aid budget by about $2 million to become fully need-blind. Need-blind admissions remains a strategic priority for the College, but progress is likely to be slow in the current economy, for the College is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all enrolled families.
Increase the percentage of students and employees of color (All)
Update February 2009: We are in the midst of employee hiring and student recruitment cycles for the 2009-10 academic year and this action item is a factor in our deliberations. The College continues to consider new markets in which to advertise.
Update June 2009: Preliminary statistics for the Class of 2013 indicate that it will be the most diverse class on record as measured by the percentages of multicultural students from the U.S. (20%) and international students (6%). Thirteen percent belong to the first generation in their family to attend college. Thirty-six states and 25 countries are represented in the class. Final statistics will be available in the fall.
B. Scholarship and Creative Activity
Compensate faculty based on teaching, research, and service (DoF)
Update February 2009: Compensation decisions will be made later in the spring mindful of economic circumstances.
Update June 2009: Economic circumstances resulted in flat-rate salary increases for all employees.
Support faculty scholarship that leads to publication and presentation (DoF)
Update February 2009: The Dean of Faculty's annual bibliography of faculty publications, exhibitions and presentations is in production.
Update June 2009: The annual compilation of 2008 faculty and administrator research and creative activity was posted to the College's Web site. It listed 128 authors/presenters with a total of 425 citations encompassing publications, exhibitions and performances. In addition, on Class & Charter Day, five faculty members were recognized publicly for career achievement, early career achievement and notable year achievement.
Increase opportunities for student research and presentation (DoF)
Update February 2009: Hamilton recently announced a new endowment to provide funding for students conducting summer research in chemistry.
Update June 2009: The number of students pursuing summer research increased slightly in 2009, to 137 total (88 science) from 133 (86 science) in 2008. The Dean of Faculty Office is funding, fully or partially, 104 students (including 16 Levitt Scholars) in 2008.
Consider the establishment of summer conferences and programs that reflect institutional priorities (DoF, VPA&F, VPIT) [Also being considered as part of Item 1 "Education for Self-Direction," Section D "Academic Facilities"]
Update February 2009: A Task Force on Summer Programs was established in January 2009 to "consider the establishment of summer conferences and programs that reflect institutional priorities. Its membership includes: Andrew Jillings, chair; Maurice Isserman; Onno Oerlemans; Sharon Williams, Dannelle Parker; Sharon Rippey; Irene Cornish; and Margie Thickstun.
Update June 2009: Vice President of Administration and Finance Karen Leach gave a preliminary report in June to the Board of Trustees outlining the pros and cons of the Dartmouth Model.
Update June 2009: The Summer Program Task Force outlined a proposal for an "Adirondack Essentials" summer workshop "for alumni, professional writers and recreational writers who wish to live adventurously and write well."
Update June 2009: The East Asian Languages Department submitted a proposal to the Dean of Faculty to create a summer Chinese-language institute for K-12 students, to take advantage of our national leadership in Chinese language acquisition.
C. Employee Satisfaction
Be the employer of choice for all employees (All)
Maintain competitive salaries for all employees
Update February 2009: Compensation decisions will be made later this spring mindful of economic circumstances.
Update June 2009: In a difficult economy, the decision to still provide flat-rate salary increases to all employees was intended to help those earning least and likely to be most affected by the economic downturn.
Ensure clear processes for evaluation and compensation
Update February 2009: The Human Resources Office is working on a pilot project to consider standardization of functions for positions that are similar.
Update June 2009: The Human Resources Office has begun reviewing job descriptions for the Academic Office Assistant position. Feedback has been gathered and is being analyzed with the intent of drafting a standard job description.
Provide support for spouses/partners of talented new hires in finding employment
Update February 2009: Hamilton is a member of the Upstate New York affiliate of the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, which provides online resources to people considering a move to the area. The College also works directly with other local college recruitment officers to uncover possible job opportunities. Spouses and partners of new hires are eligible to enroll in classes at Hamilton free-of-charge.
Update June 2009: Throughout the spring, the spouses and partners of several Hamilton employees have found employment as a result of College initiatives.
Review health insurance subsidies for retirees and long-term disability policies
Update February 2009: Hamilton will continue to review its competitive market position regarding these benefits in the coming year. Changes to health insurance subsidies and long-term disability policies will be considered as part of the 2010-11 budget cycle. Such changes were not economically feasible in 2009-10.
Update June 2009: Vice President for Administration and Finance Karen Leach has done a preliminary study of health insurance subsidies for retirees and long-term disability policies, but further analysis is needed.
D. Community Service and Outreach
Support initiatives that encourage civic engagement (DoF, DoS, VPIT)
Update February 2009: Hamilton has renewed its participation in the Imagining America Initiative and will soon formally announce the establishment of the Community Outreach and Opportunity Program (COOP).
Update June 2009: The Community Outreach and Opportunity Program has undergone a "beta launch" and created an on-campus Advisory Committee that is reviewing drafts of the organization's mission statement. COOP is planning a public launch in the fall.
Create and sustain partnerships with the Town of Kirkland and Village of Clinton (VPIT)
Update February 2009: Hamilton provided a one-time $10,000 grant in January 2009 that enabled the Town of Kirkland to resume plowing the 26.5 miles of county roads in the town.
Update June 2009: Vice President for Information Technology Dave Smallen serves on an ad hoc economic development steering committee for the town and village.
Senior Staff: Implementation of the Strategic Plan is the responsibility of the College's Senior Staff:
Joan Hinde Stewart, President Meredith Harper Bonham, Executive Assistant to the President (EAP) Monica Inzer, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid (DA&FA) Karen Leach, Vice President, Administration and Finance (VPA&F) Dave Smallen, Vice President for Information Technology (VPIT) Dick Tantillo, Vice President, Communications and Development (VPC&D) Nancy Thompson, Dean of Students (DoS) Joe Urgo, Dean of Faculty (DoF)
