Academic Program Review

Table B-2 - School of Hospitality Faculty Research Productivity, 2003 – 2006 (For TT faculty)

Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality

Robinson College of Business

Georgia State University

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  Undeclared majors who have either entered Georgia State or transferred in without declaring a major
  

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  The recently declared hospitality major who is in his/her freshman or sophomore year
  
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  Existing majors who are taking hospitality classes or will be within a semester
  

Retention Plan

School of Hospitality

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  The student who is academically below the College’s 2.5 minimum grade point average but, who has potential to raise this to 2.5 or higher
  

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  The student who decides to take a semester off and then lapses into additional semesters out of school
  

For Undeclared/Potential Majors:

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  The School will continue to market the hospitality program throughout the campus by participating in Panther Previews, “Change of Major Fairs,” “Student Organization Fairs,” “School of Hospitality Open Houses” and other similar events.
  
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  A “Perspectives” course on the sophomore level is being taught by a hospitality faculty member fall 2006. We have offered a Freshman Learning Community in the past and will consider this again in the future.
  
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  All of the School’s events are open to potential majors as well as new and existing majors.
  

For Declared Majors – Freshmen through Seniors:

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  Through the crystal software, the School can identify new incoming majors (new students, transfers and change of major students.) New majors, whether freshmen or higher, will be invited to participate in the Student Orientation (described below). These students will also be told about the various services provided to students by the School of Hospitality. These are described in more detail under the “Student Services” section and include events and opportunities such as the career fairs, industry board meetings, student organizations and scholarships.
  

Retention Plan

School of Hospitality

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Action Plans Continued:

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  With input from hospitality students, a Student Orientation program was developed for potential majors, new majors and existing majors. The goal of the Orientation program is to provide students with useful information on a number of topics:
  
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    Background information on the School
    
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    Faculty/Staff information including contact information
    
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    Explanation of the advisement process
    
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    Pointers on planning one’s course of study and scheduling classes
    
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    Explanation of student services
    
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    Directory of resources
    

Each participating student gets this information on a CD. A hard copy of the Orientation Manual is included with this report.

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  Hospitality majors will now have faculty Career Advisors to supplement their academic advisement from the RCB Office of Academic Assistance.
  

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  The faculty will discuss at the annual retreat in August the approach of using students from the Hospitality Honor Society as peer advisors.
  

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  Newly added Hospitality Student Orientation Sessions (described above and attached)
  

School of Hospitality

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Action Plans/Student Services (continued)

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  Two hospitality career fairs offered each year – one in the fall and one in the spring
  

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  Industry Connections – A program that will begin fall 2006 where students can shadow a hospitality industry executive for all or part of a day
  

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  Each year, the School of Hospitality awards over $20,000 in scholarships. Broadcast e-mails will be sent to students this year advising them of the application process and encouraging them to attend. Financial need is a factor considered for most of the scholarship decisions in addition to academic and professional experience. Several of these scholarships are available for freshmen and sophomore-level students.
  

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  The School of Hospitality has several student organizations. Broadcast e-mails will be used to encourage students to get involved with these clubs. Involved students who feel a part of the Georgia State community life are more likely to be committed to staying here through graduation. The student groups provide a support network of students and faculty advisors.
  

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  At the end of each semester, after grades are submitted, current GPAs for hospitality majors will be checked. Students who are below the required RCB GPA of 2.5 will be contacted regarding their plans – whether it is taking courses outside of the College or other options. Students who are hovering slightly above 2.5 will be contacted regarding academic resources on campus to help them and will be encouraged to utilize these services. A flyer with these services will also be developed and copies kept in the office.
  

Retention Plan

School of Hospitality

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  We are currently looking into the crystal software to see if we can track students who have not registered for a semester. With this list, these students could be individually contacted to see if there are problems and what the department can do to assist.
  

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  Faculty will be encouraged to administer an informal course evaluation mid-semester in order to react to any possible problems or issues while the course is still in-session.
  
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  Part of each faculty meeting will be dedicated to discussing classroom performance and ways to continually improve our teaching and classroom skills.
  
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  Faculty have been and will continued to be encouraged and supported in attending teaching workshops and seminars.
  

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  According to students, sometimes the “light at the end of the tunnel,” in terms of the benefits of being a college graduate, is hard to see. The School is currently working on building our alumni association. Part of the plan is to bring more alumni back to campus as class guest lecturers and/or mentors for students. We also plan, in better tracking where graduates are working, to be able to tell current students of the accomplishments of our graduates and how being a Georgia State graduate did make positive career difference.
  

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  Appendix C-1: School of Hospitality’s Strategic Plan, 2005- 2008
  

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  Update on Progress Toward Goals Delineated in Strategic Plan