N E W S L E T T E R
January 2004
Printable Adobe Acrobat version
INSIDE
President's Message
Welcome New/Returning Members
Member News/Retirements
2003 Sutton Award Recipient
ALAIR Officers 2003-2004
ALAIR Annual Workshop
Past President's Farewell and 2003 Annual ALAIR Conference Recap
2004 ALAIR Conference - ALAIR in the ‘Magic City'
2003 ALAIR Conference Photos
2004 Call for Proposals
April 29-30, 2004
Hosted by
University of Alabama at Birmingham
President's Message
- by Dan Tennimon
What a pleasure and honor to serve as your president this year. I remember the trepidation and uncertainty I felt when I went to my first ALAIR Conference some nine years ago. Once I became familiar with ALAIR and the great people in it, my apprehension evaporated and my pleasure of being a member continued to increase; especially once I became actively involved. Besides the great friendships that are developed, my job in IR has been greatly enhanced by the advice and help provided by ALAIR members. I am hoping that you will not be on the outside looking in very long and that you too will become an active member of ALAIR. I am dedicating myself this year to making sure everyone feels welcome to participate in our great organization.
I have two major goals I would like to accomplish this year. The first is to have all of the higher education schools in Alabama, whether public or private, 2-year or 4-year, have at least one member of ALAIR from their school. I am also hoping to increase the number of student members and presenters at ALAIR. During the 2003 ALAIR Conference in April, we had two presentations by graduate assistant students. Wouldn't it be great to have one graduate student from each school in Alabama? It would infuse our organization and institutional research in general with new blood and new ideas. My second goal is more mundane but no less important and that is to revise and update ALAIR's constitution, by-laws, and policies and operating procedures. In our preliminary review, we found there needs to be some major work done to bring them up-to-date and make them clear as well as consistent. If you have any thoughts or ideas along this line, please let me know. You can view each of these documents on our ALAIR website at www.alair.org.
I know financial times are tough (when haven't they been) this year, but many of you were still able to attend the SAIR Conference in San Antonio, TX in mid October and we had a great ALAIR showing there. In addition, there was a good turnout for the ALAIR Regional Workshop on the IPEDS Peer Analysis and Data Cutting Tool that was held at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in early December. You will hear more about this workshop elsewhere in the newsletter. We also will have our annual conference at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in April 2004. Again, you will hear more about this soon. With your support and participation of each ALAIR member, I am looking forward to a great year as ALAIR president, 2003-2004
Welcome New and Returning Members:
- Stacy Monk, Registrar, Southeastern Bible College
- Patricia Pratt, Director of Institutional Research, University of West Alabama
- John Fergus, Dean of Instructional Affairs, Wallace Community College-Dothan
- Jim Larkins, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Community College of the Air Force
- Elaine Heaton, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Northeast Alabama Community College
- Mary Ann LaFleur, Coordinator of Institutional Research, Athens State University
- Vickie Nicholson, Registration Services Coordinator, Reid State Technical College
- F. Diannah Rowser, Dean of Students, Reid State Technical College
- Kaye Brown, Dean of Graduate Programs and Director of Institutional Effectiveness, University of Mobile
- Angela Rolling, Vice President of Institutional Research, Troy State University
- Elizabeth Lilley, Coordinator of Institutional Research & Effectiveness, Troy State University
- Jacqueline Berger, Direction of Institutional Research, The University of West Florida
- Harold Batts, Director of Development/Institutional Research, J. F. Drake State Technical College
- Robert Lester, Director of Institutional Research, Faulkner University
- Marilyn Radford, Programmer Analyst, Calhoun Community College
- Regina Eady, Coordinator of Institutional Data Analysis, Auburn University
- Ann Underwood, Grants Development Secretary, Northwest-Shoals Community College
- Khagesh Pathak, Coordinator of Institutional Studies, Auburn University
- Judy Miller, Director of Institutional Research & Planning, Enterprise-Ozark Community College
- Kimberly Brinkley-Jones, Director of Institutional Research, Troy State University
Promotions:
- Stephen Fancher has been promoted from assistant director to associate director of Institutional Research in the Office of Planning & Assessment at the University of Montevallo.
- Patricia Pratt's job title has changed from Director of Institutional Research to Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Assistant to the Provost at University of West Alabama.
DR. KITTY COLLIER AND JANIS LOWTHER
RETIRE FROM ACHE
Dr.
Kitty Collier came to work at the Alabama Commission on Higher Education
in 1977 while a graduate student at AUM. ACHE offered her a permanent
job in Academic Affairs later that year and after 26 years, she retired
on April 30, 2003. Kitty served as President and Vice-President of ALAIR
and also helped begin the ALAIR Resource Directory. During the June ALAIR
transitional meeting for the Executive Board, Dr. Collier was presented
with a proclamation from outgoing president, Dr. William ‘Bill' Fendley,
for her many years of dedicated service to ALAIR.
After
25 years with the State, Janis C. Lowther (pictured with her husband
Sam Lowther) recently retired from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
Janis has served ALAIR in the positions of Secretary, Member-at-Large
and Coordinator of the Resource Directory. In an email regarding her pending
retirement, Janis wrote: "During these past years, I have developed
many friendships, and have become very fond of each of you. You will never
be forgotten, especially for the kindnesses you have shown to me throughout
the years. Please remember Sam and me as we face this new and exciting
time in our lives. With much affection, Janis". We look forward to
seeing Janis as Sam's traveling companion at the ALAIR and SAIR annual
conferences as well as AIR forums. You can keep in touch with Janis at
her home email address: jlowther@email.com - Best Wishes, Janis from your
ALAIR Colleagues!
ALAIR CHARTER MEMBER
RECEIVES JOSEPH T. SUTTON AWARD
The
purpose of the Joseph T. Sutton Award is to recognize Alabamians who have
demonstrated leadership and outstanding accomplishment in the field of
institutional research. It is given only to persons who possess leadership
skills and have actively supported and enhanced the goals of ALAIR. The
namesake of this most prestigious award is Dr. Joseph T. Sutton, who throughout
his remarkable career has served as Director of Institutional Research
at The University of Alabama, and Executive Director of the Alabama Commission
on Higher Education. Dr. Sutton has made a significant impact on institutional
researchers across the State of Alabama.
Hanne Delbridge, Assistant Director of Institutional Research at
the University of Alabama is the 2003 Sutton Award recipient. A long-term
institutional research practitioner Ms. Delbridge is held in high esteem
by her colleagues as evidenced by the following statement, "Hanne
Delbridge is one of those rare individuals who is both respected and loved
by those in her professional sphere." A few of Hanne's accomplishments
include being a charter member of ALAIR, serving as Treasurer of SAIR,
contributing to the success of AIR in several capacities, being well known
by her peers and colleagues in the state, region and nation for her professionalism,
knowledge and integrity, was awarded the "Unsung Hero" by the
SAIR membership and has a sterling reputation in the international institutional
research community.
ALAIR's 2003 Sutton Award recipient is one of those modest - behind the scenes workers who accomplished all tasks with a positive attitude. "She is a joy to work with" is heard from many parts of the nation. Congratulations to Hanne Delbridge ALAIR's 2003 Sutton Award recipient!
-by Priscilla Holland, University of North Alabama
ALAIR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
2003-2004
Left to Right: Matthew Campbell (University of Alabama in Huntsville) Nominating Committee; Janis C. Lowther (Alabama Commission on Higher Education) Member-at-Large; Patricia Pratt (University of West Alabama) Nominating Committee; Bai Kang (Troy State University Dothan) Member-at-Large; William ‘Bill' Fendley (The University of Alabama) Immediate Past President; Sarah Latham (Samford University) Member-at-Large; William ‘Billy' Hughes (The University of Alabama) Treasurer; Cathy Tanner (Bishop State Community College) Secretary; Dan Tennimon (Troy State University Montgomery) President; and Kris Mascetti (Auburn University Montgomery) Vice President/President Elect.
On Friday, December 5, 2003, the Alabama Association of Institutional Research (ALAIR) held its annual workshop on the campus of The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The workshop started at 9:30 a.m. and was concluded by 2:30 p.m. Nineteen (19) ALAIR members attended the workshop; that is, 16 current members and three new members (welcome, Regina Eady, Khagesh Pathak, and Ann Underwood).
The title of the workshop was "IPEDS Peer Analysis System (PAS) and DataSet Cutting Tool." Presenters of the workshop were Bill Fendley (The University of Alabama) and Tammie Richey (Jefferson State Community College); both are IPEDS trainers for the National Council of Education Statistics (NCES). The workshop participants were provided with a booklet which covered the Peer Analysis System and the DataSet Cutting Tool (DCT). The workshop was conducted in a computer laboratory in the AIME Building at the University. [Several participants found the building to be an unusual structure, and at least a couple would have liked a tour. Bill apologizes for not having made time for a tour; he invites you back for a personal tour if you wish.] Bill and Tammie find both IPEDS tools to be very useful and promising (particularly the DCT); they hope the participants are now as excited about them as well and will be found to be very useful upon application.
Please note that AIR contributed box lunches, drinks, and door prizes for added enjoyment of the day. Let's all give our thanks to AIR.
- by Marian Dotson and Debora Warren, Troy State University Montgomery
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Farewell Message |
Greetings, colleagues. I trust that you had a good summer and fall period of counting your students, employees, and resources. Yes, yes, yes... I do know that you are more than the ‘bean-counter'... in fact, you do far more than most people realize... just keep up the good work and do what you can to uphold the good name of institutional research, planning, and assessment. And, don't forget how ALAIR can help you with what you do. If you become affiliated with ALAIR, you will find it to be an invaluable resource. As well, the professional networking developed through your affiliation with ALAIR can be quite worthy. In addition, as I have tried to promote this past year, your regional and national, professional affiliates also offer equally valuable services and networking. So while ‘they' still let me voice my opinion in the newsletter, let me take this opportunity to encourage you to get involved or stay involved with your professional organizations. They need you as much as you need them.
Now, I suppose I should talk about my real assignment for this newsletter.
First, I want to thank ALL of you for your support and assistance this past year in sustaining the viability of ALAIR. I particularly want to thank each and every one of the members of the Executive Committee for their commitment and efforts. The strength and credibility of the organization continues to lie with the members and their important contributions throughout the year. As now recorded in ‘history,' ALAIR and its members successfully conducted a well-attended winter workshop and a fun and educational conference during my term as ALAIR president. We've recounted these successes, and hopefully everyone who had a part in making the successes are now proud to have played a major role. Allow me, though, to revisit the ALAIR Conference held at TSUM this past spring, briefly. Dan Tennimon and other TSUM personnel hosted an excellent conference. The opening address on the theme's topic of the non-traditional student was presented by Dr. Cameron Martindale. Dr. Martindale's knowledge of non-traditional students was excellently conveyed through her message. Her enthusiasm and commitment set a positive tone for the day and helped make the Conference the success that it was. And, of course, our member contributions through their presentations added to that success. And, how could I forget the marvelous tour of the Rosa Parks Museum and the enlightenments shared by our tour guide Ray White and the memorable music rendered by the Floyd Middle Magnet School Jazz Band. (Please see 2003 ALAIR Conference photos on page 5.) Again, thanks to ALL for a great experience. As proof of the Conference's success, the evaluations by the attendees indicated a high satisfaction.
As past president and chair of several committees, I also need to bring you up-to-date on a couple of Farewell Message (continued):
awards granted thus far this new year. These awards were reviewed and selected by the Awards Committee and the Executive Committee.
First, I am proud to announce the selection of Dr. Matt Campbell as the recipient of the Conference's "Best Paper" presentation. Matt's paper and presentation was about the performance assessment of community college students after transferring to a land grant university. Matt will present his paper as ALAIR's Best Paper presentation at the 2004 AIR Forum in Boston next May. Congratulations, Matt!
Second, I am pleased to announce Donna Venus, Jefferson State Community College, as the recipient of the 2003 ALAIR/SAIR travel grant. Donna was among the host of other ALAIR members attending SAIR this past October in San Antonio, Texas. Congratulations, Donna!
By the time you get this newsletter, I hope many of your are already thinking about attending the 2004 AIR Forum in Boston. Applications for the ALAIR/AIR travel grant are currently being reviewed. The applicant (s) selected will be notified in the very near future.
Later this year, the nominating committee, composed Matt Campbell, Patricia Pratt and myself, will be asking you to submit nominations for the 2004-2005 ALAIR officers and the 2004 Joseph T. Sutton Leadership Award. Start thinking about these nominations now because your input is very important.
Finally, let me wish you all a very successful and productive new year. And, again, I want to thank you ALL for being an important part of ALAIR.
- William ‘Bill' Fendley, The University of Alabama
ALAIR in the ‘Magic City'
Get Ready to Experience The Magic! Plans are already well underway for a great 2004 ALAIR Conference that will be hosted in the ‘Magic City' of Birmingham by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) on April 29-30. The Pickwick Hotel and Conference Center has been selected as the conference hotel. All in the heart of Birmingham's most exciting neighborhood, the Pickwick Hotel and Conference center is located in Historic Five Points South and promises to provide Historic American glamour and the finest of traditional European service. The Pickwick Hotel is known for personal service, which makes guests want to return. If you would like to venture out, twenty-five restaurants, unique shops, and entertainment activities are within walking distance.
Please make plans to attend and spend springtime in the ‘Magic City.' We will provide more information later, but we hope to see you in April. Bring a friend and consider making a presentation. If you have any ideas, thoughts or suggestions for the conference, please let me know. I can be contacted at: kmascett@mail.aum.edu or 334-244-3992.
- Kris Mascetti, Auburn University Montgomery
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Special Entertainment provided
by the
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Having Fun at the 2003 ALAIR Conference amidst the backdrop of the Floyd Middle Magnet School Jazz Band...
Pictured from left to right: Marian Dotson/Local Arrangements - Saxophone (Troy State University Montgomery), Cathy Tanner/ALAIR Secretary - Pink Guitar (Bishop State Community College), and William ‘Bill' Fendley/ALAIR Outgoing President - Gold Guitar (The University of Alabama). |
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ALAIR SPECIAL EVENT - ROSA PARKS MUSEUM AT TSUM
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ALAIR Conference participants were treated
to a guided tour by Ray White of the Rosa Parks Museum on the campus
of Troy State University Montgomery
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18th Annual Conference of the Alabama Association
for Institutional Research (ALAIR) Research -Based Planning and Evaluation (click
here for printable version in Adobe Acrobat format)
Your participation in the ALAIR Annual Conference is essential to ensure the success of the Conference. You do not have to be an ALAIR member, or even an institutional researcher to submit a proposal. Proposals in all areas of institutional research, assessment, policy analysis, planning, and related techniques are encouraged. Your participation can take the form of a paper, a presentation, or a tools and techniques session. Proposals do not have to be related directly to the conference theme.
To submit your proposal, send the following information and attach a brief abstract of what you plan to present to the contact person listed below by February 24, 2004. If you have special equipment requirements, questions, or concerns, please contact Kris Reed Mascetti by phone (334-244-3992), fax (334-244-3986), or E-mail: kmascett@mail.aum.edu. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Title of Presentation ___________________________________________________________________________ Type of Presentation: Paper ___________ Presentation ___________ Tools & Techniques ___________ Authors/Presenters ____________________________________________________________________________ Contact Person's Name ________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip:________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________ Fax :____________________ Email address:______________________ Special equipment/requirements: Return the information and your proposal by February 24, 2004 to Kris Reed Mascetti, A.U.M. Institutional Research, P.O. Box 244023, Montgomery, AL 36124-4023. Proposals will also be accepted by E-mail: kmascett@mail.aum.edu |
| Please Send Your ALAIR News to: Cathy R. Tanner (ALAIR) Email: ctanner@bishop.edu Bishop State Community College 351 North Broad Street Mobile, AL 36603-5898 Phone: 251-690-6907 Fax: 251-438-3249 |