What Do the SBVC Managers and Faculty Think? What Do You Think? by Heidi Kidon

     The Office of Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness has emailed students with a link to the Student Campus Climate 2020-2021 survey available until midnight, Friday, May 28, 2021. San Bernardino Valley College needs to ensure that it is providing high-quality education and innovative instruction so that students can transfer to a university, enter the workforce by earning applied degrees and certificates, foster economic growth and global competitiveness through workforce development, and improve the quality of their lives. Faculty and managers respond to similar surveys, and the results for all three target audiences, dating back to the 2012-2013 school year, are online: https://www.valleycollege.edu/about-sbvc/offices/office-research-planning/reports/surveys.php (Links to an external site.).

     A slim forty-one percent of all full-time and part-time (mostly) faculty responded to the Campus Climate Survey last year. The highest percentage of respondents have been employed at SBVC for twenty or more years. There was moderate or strong support in many areas, including, the general climate, shared governance, human resources, personnel practices and professional development, students’ significant learning skill gains, diversity and inclusiveness, facilities and technology, planning and student services programs, budget and financial planning, district and campus communication, planning and instructional programs, and services from other offices.

     For starters, the dean or supervisor seeks and values the faculty opinions and ideas. Instructors received a formal evaluation of their performance. Teachers attended seminars, workshops, and conferences for professional development. Typical students participated in online learning activities as required. Faculty members are optimistic about the future of SBVC and have high morale. This is a safe campus. The district staff provides good customer service. SBVC supports an environment that fosters intellectual, ethical, and personal development. This college identifies the educational needs of students and provides services that address those needs. Campus Security Services are helpful, but parking space is not adequate. One quarter are concerned that students are not properly learning how to present original thought in their work, critically evaluating, or demonstrating an understanding of information they find from library and/or Internet sources.

     Academic managers are in charge of all staff in the college. They have the authority to make administrative decisions. Ten answered the survey, and the majority have been working at SBVC between two and five years. An overwhelming number support statements surrounding mission and institutional effectiveness, student learning and outcomes, student support services; human, physical, technical and financial resources, and leadership and governance. SBVC managers agree their leadership roles are regularly evaluated. As well, the college establishes governance structures, processes, and practices to facilitate effective communication among the institution’s consistencies.

     Furthermore, the staff involvement on committees is an effective way for them to have a meaningful voice in college policy making. They encourage each other to take initiative in improving institutional effectiveness. Additionally, all committee minutes are current and available on the campus website. A greater part of managers replied that they refer students to the various services available on campus, such as DSPS, tutoring, health services, financial aid, and EOPS. A whopping percentage claim they play an active role in promoting a sense of community and solidarity within the campus and and/or educational partnerships. Managers are persuasive in encouraging employees to participate in professional development, and their departments stay current in their fields of expertise. SBVC maintains a good reputation in the area of career and technical training.

     Managers are not convinced that faculty members are fair and objective in their presentation and grading of course material and don’t see the curriculum being continuously evaluated to appropriately meet local communities’ needs. They also seek opportunity for areas of improvement at SBVC’s student services, for more sufficient staff, resources and facilities to meet student needs. The majority consider the grounds pleasing, climate appropriate, and maintained, despite the impact of construction, but campus signage is not necessarily clear and visible to all.

      

Fewer than 1,000 (mostly Hispanic females) out of over 17,000 students completed the survey last year, so please reserve a few minutes of your time, be honest, and let your voice be heard.