Academic Master Plan: 2003-2008
- Quality Instruction : The instructional program is supported by qualified faculty who are dedicated to community college teaching, actively involved in professional development and guided by professional responsibility.
Goals: All faculty members are appropriately credentialed and demonstrate their dedication to community college teaching by their commitment to students both in and out of the classroom. They actively participate in a wide range of opportunities for professional growth. Members of the faculty are fully involved in governance and are committed to continuous improvement, innovation and excellence. There are appropriate numbers of full-time faculty to support programs offered and assure continuity and coherence of programs.
- Program Relevance and Excellence: The instructional program offers current, quality educational experiences consistent with the college's mission and needs of the community.
Goals : All educational programs are offered in support of the college mission and adhere to the highest quality standards. A process is in place to respond to changes in market demand for development of new degree programs and certificates. Only educational programs that adhere to the highest quality standards and directly support the needs of the community are initiated and maintained. All programs participate in an internal program review, and meet or exceed levels of achievement of student learning outcomes. Programs eligible for external accreditation meet eligibility requirements and re-accreditation standards of the accrediting body. Community Education and Outreach Services (CEOS) offers comprehensive programming leading to the acquisition of knowledge and skills, personal enrichment and professional development. CEOS conducts a community-based needs assessment with appropriate frequency and systematically re-designs offerings in response to community needs.
- Continuous Improvement: A comprehensive, ongoing assessment of student learning demonstrates that students have achieved the knowledge, skills and competencies consistent with programmatic goals. Periodic program reviews include comprehensive self-studies and undergo vigorous external review. The results are used for curricular improvement. General education outcomes in the areas of oral and written communication, scientific and quantitative reasoning, technological skills and information literacy are assessed as a part of the college's overall plan for assessing student learning and the results are used for curricular improvement.
Goals: Student learning expectations at the program and course levels are clearly articulated and are consistent with the institution's mission and with the standards of the relevant disciplines. A comprehensive assessment plan describes student learning assessment activities for each program, including the specific methods to be used to validate articulated student learning outcomes. Systematic and routine assessment of all programs is in place to ensure quality, viability, relevance and continuous improvement. Student learning assessment information is used to improve teaching and learning and is an integral part of the planning and budgetary process. The campus-based General Education program is of sufficient scope to enhance students' intellectual growth and assure that, upon degree completion, students receiving associate's degrees are proficient in oral and written communication, scientific and quantitative reasoning, technological skills and information literacy. In addition to the campus-based General Education program, the college participates in the SUNY General Education program for students planning to transfer within SUNY and assures that all associate degree graduates have met at least seven SUNY General Education outcomes. SUNY General Education outcomes assessment is in compliance with system requirements.
- Learning-Focused Classroom Environment: The instructional program delivers educational offerings in an atmosphere conducive to learning, with learning resources available, accessible and appropriate to support teaching effectiveness in all content areas.
Goals : Faculty delivers instruction to facilitate and support learning by structuring a classroom environment conducive to learning. Faculty are supported through ready access to sufficient up-to-date equipment and supplies in comfortable classroom settings. Faculty will add value to learning by effectively utilizing modern instructional technologies in support of learning.
- Supportive Learning Environment: Students are challenged by rigorous academic programs and the college provides appropriate academic support to help them meet the challenge.
Goals: All education programs foster a coherent student learning experience in an atmosphere, that addresses the diverse backgrounds and individual needs of students. Students are provided with quality academic advisement which incorporates referrals to appropriate academic support services as needed. Underprepared students complete required preparatory courses in reading, mathematics and composition. Non-credit courses are assessed regularly to assure that students are meeting the articulated learning outcomes and are successfully retained beyond developmental coursework. Faculty provide appropriate accommodations for learning disabled students, in cooperation with the Learning Disabilities Assistance Program. The Writing Skills Center, Study Skills Center and Math Lab are adequately staffed to meet student demand, offer a range of innovative tutoring options and are assessed annually for program effectiveness. A combination of peer tutoring, online tutoring, and study groups supports content area courses and supplements individual faculty office hours.
- Enrichment Opportunities: A wide variety of enrichment opportunities are infused within the curriculum. Students are encouraged to accept intellectual challenges, investigate areas of interest, explore interdisciplinary topics, and give back to their community.
Goal: Students actively participate in a wide variety of opportunities to enrich their academic experience at the college. OCC is a leading partner in the New York Campus Compact organization, and service learning is an integral part of a wide range of courses at the college. The world-view of our students is broadened through a comprehensive effort by faculty to internationalize the curriculum at all levels. Students take advantage of study abroad opportunities through the SUNY consortium, and OCC is an active participant in the consortium, sponsoring a short-term international service learning program in Namibia. Students have the opportunity to explore interdisciplinary topics in depth by participating in a variety of Learning Communities. OCC's Honors Program offers a challenging option for students in all programs to engage in stimulating in-depth study. Accelerated programs in Business and Humanities allow exceptional students to complete an associate's degree in fourteen months.
- Opportunities for Access: The instructional program provides access to higher education consistent with the institution's mission and goals by removing geographic and temporal barriers.
Goals : A variety of delivery modes and flexible scheduling increases student accessibility to courses and programs. Certificate and degree programs are available for completion through synchronous and asynchronous learning, and alternate scheduling. Courses are offered with comparable quality of instruction, academic rigor, and educational effectiveness regardless of the location or delivery mode.
- Opportunities for Transfer: The faculty works actively to encourage students to continue their studies beyond the associate's degree level and to facilitate seamless transfer to baccalaureate institutions.
Goals: Articulation agreements are regularly updated and expanded, with special emphasis on OCC's five major transfer institutions. Specifics of all articulation agreements are available for student and advisor use on the OCC website, in a user-friendly format. A review of programs has determined which offerings would be most effectively served by jointly registered programs with other SUNY institutions and those agreements have been developed. The University Center on campus provides students with the opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree from a variety of institutions on the OCC campus.
- Supportive Academic Structure : The academic division is structured to provide opportunities for leadership development and to support innovative projects to advance the academic program. The division structure supports and facilitates excellence in the delivery of all educational programs.
Goals : All academic departments have access to administration for consultation and advice regarding educational programming, budget and instruction. Department chairpersons, as first line administrators, are selected for their leadership abilities and receive training in supervisory responsibilities, including planning and budgeting.