Focused Report

Comprehensive Standard 3.4.9

The institution provides appropriate academic support services. (Academic support services)

Off-Site Committee Finding

The institution's academic support services rely largely on the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Advising (CETLA). The CETLA website indicates that its student support programs are mainly aimed at remediation. There seems to be a disconnect between higher level academic programs and resources. In addition, it seems inappropriate to the university's mission. CETLA practices emphasize "the underserved" as per the institution's mission, but seem lacking in its promise of the "total development of students" so that the institution may graduate "marketable students" ( Miss ion Statement). Documentation which emphasizes how CETLA supports the broader mission of the university would prove helpful to the On-Site Committee.

Albany State University's Response

The University advocates the total development of students, especially the underserved, and provides a wholesome academic environment in which students can study, learn and develop through their interaction with fellow students, faculty, staff, administrators, visiting scholars and community leaders. The Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Advising (CETLA) aligns its mission statement with that of the university by providing academic support at all levels to students throughout the institution.

In order to support the total development of all students at the university, CETLA has developed and implemented programs, workshops, and seminars such as Project Mentor, book reviews and discussions, and on-the-go workshops. Project Mentor assists students transitioning from high school to college by pairing them with faculty, staff or administrators [1] . A student is partnered with one or more mentors [2] who volunteer to work with the student for at least one year, providing guidance and stability during what could be a difficult period. In the program, students may conduct directed research, receive additional academic advisement, decide upon majors and develop career options during their mentorship activities.

In other program activities, students have the opportunity to develop personally and academically through their interactions with faculty and staff during book reviews [3] and discussions sponsored by CETLA and facilitated by faculty from across disciplines.

In addition to the academic support provided to students at Albany State University , CETLA enjoys collaborative relationships with other system institutions, state agencies, local schools and technical institutions, and businesses and industries, sharing physical, human, information and other resources to expand and enhance programs and services to the citizens of Georgia . Some of the existing relationships are with Turner Job Corps [4] , Albany Technical College's Learning Support and General Education Advisory Board [5] , paraprofessionals from in school systems in Dougherty and surrounding counties, and college graduates working towards teacher certification [6] .

Academic assistance that directly relates to students' productivity inside the classroom consists of financial support for visiting scholars, supplemental instruction [7] , academic workshops such as Plato [8] , GRE [9] , evening and weekend computer lab hours, and instructional software. Workshops for learning communities [10] , test preparation for undergraduates [11] [12] , academic success strategies [13] and students in the process of re-careering effectively provide academic assistance outside the classroom, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth. Through many of these activities, CETLA members assist with planning and setting policies which improve the welfare and ultimate well-being of all students inside and outside the classroom.

Academic services supplied by CETLA lend themselves further in the support of ASU departments, undergraduate research, campus organizations, programs, special initiatives, the ASU Strategic Plan [14] , Honda Campus All-Star Challenge [15] , the Center for African-American Male and Learning Communities across campus [16] .

Supporting Documentation

[1] Mentoring program promotional material

[2] Project Mentor participants

[3] Book review promotional materials

[4] Turner Job Corps collaborative program participant roster

[5] Board Minutes

[6] Head Start teacher preparation program

[7] Supplemental Instruction semester report, Fall 2007

[8] Plato documentation

[9] GRE support program documentation

[10] Workshops for learning communities

[11] Midterm Test preparation workshop