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3.D.5. The institution provides to students guidance in the effective use of research and information resources. Most academic programs offered at CSU offer one senior course, usually a 4,000-level course that emphasizes research. This course can be a senior design or senior research course that emphasizes the application of concepts, topics, and theories learned throughout the curriculum. The following table shows the capstone/research courses offered by different programs and majors. A description of these courses can be found in the CSU Catalog. Table: 3.D.7 CSU Courses in Which Students Apply or Conduct Undergraduate Research
The Library as a Learning and Teaching Resource CSU's Hallie Q. Brown Memorial Library is located in the center of the campus where it shares space with the University College and the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The library is open 84.15 hours per week during the academic semester. The library currently has 41 computer workstations and two computer laboratories. And has several collections which students, faculty, and staff use to support teaching, learning and research. These collections include over 260,000 volumes, 800,000 pieces of microfiche and microfilm, 383 current periodical titles, 29,995 bound volumes of periodicals, and a collection of phonograph records, tapes, CDs, DVDs and films. The library continues to add to its print collection. An increasing number of electronic resources is also available through OhioLink, which is a consortium of 89 member libraries. To date, OhioLINK library holdings total 49.5 million items. Over the last three years, CSU faculty, staff and students have requested over 5000 items, and the library filled over 5000 requests for CSU library materials from other OhioLINK libraries. Through group licensing with OhioLINK and its member institutions, the CSU library has access to over 100 databases, over 60,000 e-books, more than 9,000 scholarly journal titles, digital images, and Ohio college and University students’ theses and dissertations. To further support teaching and learning, the library subscribes to Credo Reference, Films on Demand, Grove’s Music, JSTOR, LexisNexis, Oxford Art, SciFinder, and SIRS online databases (http://www.ohiolink.edu/about/what-is-ol.html). The library houses the Black Collection – an extensive resource of research materials pertaining to African American history, culture, and social issues; limited resources of research materials pertaining to Africans in the Diaspora are also available. The collection includes over 13,000 items, some of which can be found only at the CSU library. The library continues to add children’s and young adult books to the collection. CSU library faculty and staff work collaboratively with academic colleges and department to facilitate a culture with an educational focus. The library also has exhibits marking historical events accompanied by a bibliography for each. For example, a podcast, “A walk through local African American history Connecting Campus and Community in Historic Wilberforce, Ohio,” was produced by library faculty in collaboration with two freshman English classes. Another project, “I Dare You: The Freshman Research Paper,” is available to other students. Copies of the podcast and the “I Dare You: The Freshman Research Paper” project are available in the Library Resource Room. Library and Media Services During the last ten years the library has made improvements in technology to expand services and provide access to information resources. Upgrades have been made to the Integrated Library System (ILS) used for circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, and serials. Other upgrades include: CD/DVD players, TV combo units, still camera, camcorder, image scanners, Optic book scanners, printers, computers, and classroom LCD projectors. To support disability services, the library works in collaboration with the CSU University College, Office of Disability Services (ODS), TRIO Student Support Services, and the Learning Skills Center. The library uses equipment to convert textbooks, tests, study guides, and other printed classroom materials into alternative formats for students who have deficits in reading comprehension or fluency. Text to speech resources are also available through some of the research databases.
The Hallie Q. Brown Memorial Library is responsible for providing instructional materials that support academic course offerings by integrating library research skills to enrich the curriculum and foster lifelong learning across the campus. The Reference Department of the library provides research consultation for students, faculty, and staff and provides information literacy instruction in the use of the library’s resources. The library conducted a study in 2009-2010 to identify areas of improvement in the information literacy area. The library previously used bibliographic instruction to promote information literacy. Results of the study revealed that there were gaps in students’ understanding of resources available in the library and library research methods. To address this gap, an Information Literacy (IL) program was introduced to replace the old bibliographic instruction model. Through academic departments, CSU provides students with various courses that promote research knowledge, skills, and applications. The table below shows a gradual increase in the number of classes and the number of students served. Table 3.D.3: Information Literacy Instruction Sessions 2009 -2012
Source: CSU Hallie Q. Brown Library Information Commons In the past year the library has initiated improvements in technology for delivering library services and collaborative learning. One such improvement, The Information Commons, is designed for individual and group study. Located on the first floor within the reference area, it provides strategically situated leisure seating and study tables equipped with computers. Dayton Library Learning Commons To improve service at CSU-Dayton, the library has designated space for a small library that will house books, print periodicals, computers, and study tables, and seat twenty simultaneous users. This library will be staffed to provide the same level of service as provided at the main campus library. CSU’s Vision for the Library As the University anticipates future growth in student enrollment and academic programs, the current library holdings and resources will need to be increased to adequately address the needs that such growth would bring. A "Library White Paper" produced by CSU library staff in 2011 on ”A modern library/learning environment that promotes collaborative learning, information literacy, and technology utilization," as requested by the CSU administration, showed that the academic library's role is changing with the advances in technology. In addition to providing state of the art technology, the new Hallie Quinn Brown Memorial Library will need to be a comfortable learning environment with an appealing space that blends social, cultural, and academic attributes to positively affect students’ education. CSU’s Library Challenges With the current economic downturn, CSU library has experienced some funding challenges, which are not unique to the library or CSU. Reduced state funding to public universities and colleges in Ohio has contributed to the challenge. Prior to fiscal year 2010, the CSU library budget, with its OhioLINK small University discounts, was adequate to support both electronic and print resources. Following reduced state funding, the CSU library along with the rest of the University has faced financial constraints, which makes it difficult for the library to continue providing the same level and quality of resources and services with a reduced budget. This challenge presented the library with the opportunity to critically evaluate and carefully select resources to support academic programs. Duplicative subscriptions were eliminated. The challenge of keeping the collection current with the addition of new courses and programs continues as the library evaluates usage of materials, and seeks external funding to maintain resources that are critical to the academic programs. External funding continues to support CSU's participation and membership in OhioLINK. Support for Student Success The Office of Academic Advising and Assistance (AA) in the University College coordinate a number of units that provide academic support for all students, including online assistance for distance education students. These units include University Tutoring Services and the Writing, Reading and Math Learning Center. The University also provides, through the University College, courses in stress management, critical thinking, and remediation of basic skills in reading, mathematics and writing. The Center provides assistance in mathematics and writing on a walk-in or appointment basis. These services are available to all students. First Year Seminar The First Year Seminar (FYS) courses are special classes designed for first-year students to enhance their academic and social integration into college. FYS introduces students to the nature of higher education and familiarizes them with the University’s functions and resources. The course is designed to help students adjust to the demands of college life, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills. The FYS course also provides a support group for students in a critical transition by examining problems common to new students. FYS courses are taught by full-time faculty members and adjuncts who have been recommended by the University College dean and who have at least five years of experience at CSU. FYS is a major investment in enhancing student retention on campus. The data shows that students who take an FYS during their first semester are more likely to return the following semester than those who do not. Academic Advising In the Fall of 2011, CSU established the University College. One of the focus areas is to ensure that the best practice is employed in the academic advising of freshmen. In addition, this will contribute to providing greater consistency in advising across student academic careers, to improve student satisfaction with advising and ultimately to help increase retention and graduation rates. Once a freshman matriculates to sophomore status, they are immediately reassigned to a faculty member in their chosen discipline, for more intense academic advising to ensure advancement toward completion of program requirements and graduation. Tutoring Service Tutoring is available to all students in the University, who are either referred by advisors or faculty or who elect to seek assistance. In addition, professional and student tutors are available through the University College to guide students through organized review, practice, study skills and test preparation. Special tutoring programs are scheduled at the end of each academic term to help students prepare for final exams. The University College offers tutoring services every day at posted times and/or by appointment. Honors Program The CSU Honors Program is designed to serve the needs and interests of highly motivated and ambitious students who seek a stimulating and exciting academic experience that challenges them to think critically and develop strong oratorical skills. Admission to the program for freshmen entering Central State is based on the student’s high school grade point average, ACT or SAT scores, and high school class rank. Continuing students must have a 3.0 grade point average at Central State and be recommended by a member of the faculty. The strategic plan objective is to attract and retain talented and diverse students of high academic quality who have demonstrated the potential to be assets to the University, both as students and alumni. Summer Early Start Program The Summer Early Start Program is an initiative designed to help those new first-year college students that do not meet all the University‘s formal academic requirements for admission, but whom the University believes can be successful academically with additional support and monitoring prior to admission to the University. These students are required to successfully complete this program and demonstrate that they have developed and/or improved the skills necessary for a successful transition from high school to college-level academic work. The program is conducted over a five-week period in the summer and provides students with many opportunities to improve their skills in writing, mathematics, speaking, reading and citizenship. Program expenses for instruction, room and board are covered by the University at no cost to students and their families. At the end of the Summer Early Start Program, successful students are formally admitted to the University and enrolled in classes for the Fall semester. The Learning Skills Center operates the program, and, with the assistance of other University College units, provides for the instruction, assessment and progress documentation of students necessary to support them in their efforts to prepare for the successful completion of their first year at CSU.
These programs have been funded by either unrestricted or restricted funds. They are all singularly focused on the success of the students. This investment is seen in the growth in the Academic budget and its relative share of CSU funding. CSU continues to invest in the framework that will improve the retention, graduation and course completion of its students. Grants and Sponsored Programs Grant funding has provided CSU an avenue to fulfill some of its mission objectives. Over the past 9 years, the University was awarded over $89 million from federal, state and private funding agencies. The University was particularly successful in increasing its capacity in the STEM area through external grants. As a demonstration of the University’s commitment, the president redirected all of the indirect costs recovered ($750,000 over 4 years)from the CSU STEM-X- ED grant to establish the College of Science and Engineering. A selected list of externally funded programs, which have enhanced the fulfillment of the University’s mission and their alignment with the mission objectives are highlighted below. CSU is dedicated to providing a nurturing and culturally enriched learning environment.
CSU is dedicated to stimulating in students an intellectual curiosity and a continuous search for knowledge.
CSU is dedicated to teaching students to think critically and communicate effectively; and to instilling in students an aspiration for excellence through teaching, service, and scholarly research.
CSU is dedicated to preparing students to address the challenges of a technologically oriented world.
CSU is dedicated to providing quality educational programs in scientific and technological fields.
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