DSU as Investment

Dakota State University
Investments in the Campus, the Community and in the Future
Over the last few years, many in the region and the state have taken notice of the construction equipment and crews that have been on or around the DSU campus here in Madison. I have had many questions about all the activities and the improvements that are being made in the educational environment. As a president, it is easy to take great pride in the physical plant improvements that have been initiated and/or completed because they are so visible. These changes are a very real sign of the investments that are being made in our students, in the community of Madison and, thus, in the future of the region and the state. Let me outline some of the recent improvements and investments that have been made:
• All four of our major residence halls have been renovated and upgraded (In Fall 2011, we will likely be at maximum capacity in those halls.)
• New convenience store and coffee shop developed
• Habeger Science Center totally renovated
• Restorations and renovations in Beadle Hall including new windows, air-conditioning and new fire escape
• Total renovation of heating and air conditioning, ceiling and lighting systems throughout the Mundt Library
• New energy efficient lighting upgrades throughout the campus
• Renovations to classrooms and labs with electrical power at 90% of every classroom seat on campus
• Renovations to the Trojan Center (student center)
• Air-conditioning and lobby improvements in the Memorial Fieldhouse
• New visitor bleachers at Trojan Field (installed summer 2011)
• Up-grades to the Dakota Prairie Playhouse (outside and inside – in progress)
• New electrical system and heating system upgrades across the campus
• Investments in new infrastructure at the Community Center (DSU energy funds used to improve hot water and HVAC systems, as well as lighting systems)
• Continued improvements in the landscaping across the campus
• Investment in the establishment of the Kringen Alumni and Foundation Center

While this is not a total list, it should provide a very good picture of the types of physical plant investments being made to support DSU’s mission as South Dakota’s lead institution in the area of information technology. These investments have been funded by students, by dollars provided by the state, and by the hard work of faculty and staff that have written grants and/or positioned DSU for this development.

Unlike the physical improvements, advances that one does not so easily see are:
• New academic programs,
• Tremendous growth in our online and distance education offerings
• Development and delivery of a doctorate program that has far exceeded our enrollment projections
• New corporate partnerships
• Expansion of outreach in Sioux Falls (MBA and new student teaching initiatives)
• Training of 193 faculty/staff and student leaders in the Continuous Quality Improvement process
• Research and service activities in banking and finance information assurance and health information technology

In just the past two years, the university has brought in over $14 million in external funding (grants and contracts). Student, faculty and staff accomplishments and awards have been plentiful. DSU is truly a dynamic institution that continues to make incredible progress and has positioned itself for this unlimited and progressive future. More than anything else, DSU is being an outstanding steward of these investments, and the students that will be a part of this institution and this community will be our future.

End of Semester Ramblings

Knowlton’s Notes
Trojan Times
December 7, 2010
Ramblings
It is the end of another semester and it seems like there are many thoughts about the year so far at DSU and about “things” in general. With our record enrollment and our 5th year in a row honor from US News it felt like the semester was off to a great start. The visit from Ben Franklin, opening of the renovated Science Center, beautiful weather for homecoming and no cancellations for snow were wonderful highlights of the semester. ( I know the snow is a president’s thing)
The holiday break at the end of the first semester brings many memories. That first time going back home for a prolonged period of time always meant some adjustment with regard to new independence and then suddenly back under parental supervision. There was the sense of exhaustion with the end of the semester and finals etc. I also remember going through a period of time when I questioned whether I had made the right decision when I picked the University of Denver. Then there is the end of holiday break and the feeling that I was more than ready to go back and yes I had made the right decision.
Passwords – I have such a difficult time with passwords. I have different passwords for banking, special sites issues at work, logging on to the network, personal passwords for shopping from my home computer. I know that I do not do this well as I have some stuck on my computer on yellow sticky notes or in my desk drawer or on small pieces of paper in my wallet. There has got to be a better way and if anybody has a suggestion please email me – douglas.knowlton@dsu.edu and I will get the message – if I can remember my password that day.
Coffee – Man I love coffee and having Myxers directly across from my office is a definite asset. Caribou Coffee in SF is my favorite place although the new coffee place on Louise Ave. (Coffea?) is also great place to stop along with our own Mochavinos here in Madison. We have one of those Keurig coffee makers at work so there is an endless supply of different types and flavors of coffee. Yesterday I had one of the Keurig cups that was labeled Jet Fuel – the office was really nervous but didn’t seem to have any mind altering impact on me. So just to let you in on a secret – yes I love having people come talk to me during my weekly coffee hours but I also do it just so I can sit there and savor the coffee.
Christmas ties – I know friends that have two dozen Christmas ties they wear all during the season. I have basically 3 and I am determined to find some additional ones. So far my search has not been successful but I think I have time to go online to see if I can’t order a couple.
Google or Bing or Whatever – Is there any topic, subject, product or thing that one cannot find when searching the internet these days. It just amazes me that I can search for something like “TV Christmas Specials” and sure enough there is a whole world of information. I am truly in awe of this technology and get giddy about the applications – actually getting giddy over information technology is the subject of my commencement welcome scheduled for this Saturday. So with that commencement thought - farewell Fall Semester 2010. Wonder what kind of ramblings 2011 will bring.

Technology - YES

November 10, 2010

A Celebration of Technology Inventiveness (even if it doesn’t make sense)

This past week end a copy of the magazine “Men’s Health” was laying on the counter top at our home and I caught a headline on the front cover. IOO of the Latest Technology Toys for Men” I wasn’t exactly sure why these toys were being directed to the masculine gender, but given that it was a “Mens” magazine I guess that was appropriate. Being an absolute sucker for anything that is labeled “new technology” I decided to check it out.
After wading through a few dozen pages of advertisements I found the section. Now here is where I get intimidated and a little depressed. Of the 100 items, I think I actually had a understanding of the technology listed for only 50 % of the items highlighted. There were a number of new style computers and some adaptations for I PODs etc, An amazing looking surround sound home theater system for about $15,000. I did understand the price tags on all of them. As I said, the first glance was a blow to my techno savy ego, but once I got over that assault I took it as a dare to read futher and challenge myself to understand the actual utility of the technology being promoted.
It is in this position of technology exploration that I find myself entirely in awe of the world we live in. The development and the creative energy going into this new world of technology and information technology facilitated communication and productivity is beyond comprehension. I have been so giddy about the fact that I have a vascular scanner to get into my office and now that 2-3 year old technology is beginning to look rather mundane. Yes I need a new technology fix.
DSU was so excited this fall to discover the use of the QR bar codes. I had no knowledge of them and without hesitation hooked on to this as DSU’s “new thing”. We put them on lapel pins that could take the person scanning the barcode to a u tube video of me explaining the technology and the clear fact that DSU was the place to come if the person who was watching the U tube knew anything about our mission. We put a large one on the side of a building to take the scanner to the press release on DSU being named the highest ranked public college in the Midwest for the 5th straight year. I began wearing my lapel pin and at meeting after meeting was demonstrating this technology and reinforcing the fact that DSU was once again out in front!
Within a few weeks I have now seen a large billboard in the Denver Airport with three large barcodes that will allow the scanner to down load whole books – Treasure Island or Moby Dick. FAR OUT – okay that expression dated me just a bit. I saw one in an ad in a Time magazine and during my last journey to Best Buy find that they are all over most of the products in the store. YES – SO SO Cool I love this stuff and love that it spreads so fast. I want a droid now because it scans so much faster than my blackberry!
This morning I read an article on the “10 gadgets that take tech too far”. Can one really take tech too far – cmon? So first thing was an alarm clock that will roll away from you if you try and shut it off before you get out of bed. Sleepy college students chasing their alarm clocks down the hallway in the residence hall is an image I think clearly warrants some study. There is a toilet that that measures your blood pressure and your insulin level, among a variety of other health related items and reports them to your PC. Why not? A toilet just seems like an item that could be so much more. And lastly, my favorite, a toilet paper holder that has an I POD speaker system attached. Hey we are going to get rid of all this paper waste why not find something better than a magazine!

There are those that think I have gone off the deep end by my obsession with technology (including my wife) but could I be the president of a more perfect place. I am in technology nirvana at DSU and I belong here.

Reflection

Reflection is the Key to Effective Educational Experience
Doug Knowlton
November 25, 2010

A couple of hours ago I woke at my lake place (my get away place for the Thanksgiving holiday) and began a review of the activities for my day. As I lay half awake and half asleep I began to think through the things that I have been engaged in during the past few days. This is a type of reflection because it wasn’t just recalling those events, it was a time for “thinking about” what those activities meant and how they impacted me. I began the process of integrating what I had thought and learned into an understanding of the world – the ultimate educational goal.
During the past week I had the opportunity to attend a conference sponsored by the Collaboration for Learning. This is a regional organization that supports faculty development at colleges and universities throughout the upper Midwest. The keynote speaker at this meeting was Dr. George Kuh, one of the most prominent authorities on higher education in the United States. He provided intriguing information and data about the kinds of activities that help students be successful at universities in the United States. This is a subject of major concern here at DSU and throughout the US as we continue to fall behind other countries with regard to the educational attainment of our citizens.
While I have been very familiar with Dr. Kuh’s work and his ideas, there was one new activity that I found to hold significant promise for Dakota State. The concept he presented centered on the higher success rate of students who engage in “high impact” activities while they are engaged in their education. This has traditionally meant being engaged in clubs, organizations, service activities, intercollegiate and intramural athletics. The new possibility that was presented was the opportunity to turn “work” activities of students into a “high impact” learning experience. The hypothesis presented is that this experience could facilitate learning at a higher level and at the same time promote more success (retention and graduation). A small pilot study was completed at the University of Iowa that found very significant positive impact on student’s perception of their work and the educational value when there was a “high impact” component of this work activity.
What could turn the everyday work activities of students – workstudy positions, on campus work, work at athletic events, and off-campus work into an activity that has the possibility of increasing their success? The process that has this tremendous potential is something we know with certainty increases a student’s learning. Reflection on the activity! A student who is encouraged and supported to think somewhat more deeply about what they are doing at work will use that experience more effectively. A supervisor who would have a brief but structured conversation about the work experience – “What have they learned about working with people? What organizational or time management practices have they engaged in? What specific skills have they developed?” could have an impact on the possibility the student would graduate! WOW – now there is a concept!
So as I lay warm half asleep, the motivation to take action and the integration of this concept started to take shape. Reflection- yes the simple process of thinking about and analyzing an experience is the key to making any activity one that educates and informs. So I am committed to beginning a conversation at DSU that could provide this exceptional and meaningful way to increase their reflective activity and thus their exceptional success. This is particularly relevant because recent studies have documented that DSU students spend more time “working” than students at any other campus in the SD system. Please let me know if you have thoughts or ideas that might facilitate our progress on such an initiative.

Leadership and committment

This past week the 17 members of the Dakota State Planning Council spent an entire day at a lodge near Howard, SD planning and thinking seriously about directions for DSU. We discussed our own leadership interactions and the needs for additional leadership education on the campus. This discussion also lead us to a point of determining 4 priority areas for the next year that will address our accreditation process (AQIP) and also our strategic plan. I will post more to my blog later about the four priority areas.

We also made a committment to more specifically define the continuous improvement process we want to incorporate into our decision making for the university. A recent review of our many activities on campus indicated that we needed to be clearer about the processes we use to define our priorities, set goals and accomplish tasks. Once we have outlined this process we will begin to apply it to the newly established priority areas for the year.

In addition, we had a chance to discuss our current budget situation and think about how this will be presented to the campus at our opening session for all faculty and staff on Aug. 24th.

Another part of our "retreat" was the examination of data from the National Survey of Student Engagement that DSU participates in every two years or so. Our data does give DSU some areas to be very proud of and some areas that we need to address. I have to point out that on the measures of student engagement DSU achieves a positive ranking relative to the other 5 regental institutions in SD on more areas than any of the other 5. We surpass national norms or score well in areas the are associated with collaborative learning opportunities and a supportive campus. Our areas of challenge (and our focus) center on academic challenge. As we examined this area we did realize that many of the questions that measure academic challenge are not so relevant to DSU due to the movement to more electronic means of communicating and learning. The Survey clearly is lagging behind the processes of learning that many institutions are adopting.

In 2007 we established our new Strategic Plan with 7 areas of focus. At the retreat we examined data relevant to our progress on these 7 areas. On many of the 7 we have made good or exceptional progres and on others we need to reevaluate the goals and the work we are doing to accomplish the targets we set. At the all university opening session in a week I will present this data to the campus and then post it here to my blog. (keep checking)

At the end of the retreat we discussed three additional areas of concern or focus. These were technology, athletics and leadership. We learned that there are many improvements to our technology infrastructure that students will experience this fall. We will also focus on a reevaluation of the directions and values that we established during the implementation of our WMCI (Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative) with the probable establishment of a Technology Committee to look at processes and new directions. Athletics is an area of focus this year and we examined data regarding student numbers, scholarship needs, recruiting practices and our committments to providing student athletes a supportive environment. Lastly, we looked at our own membership and determined that some additional members including a student member might positively impact our work together.

This was an extraordinarily candid and productive meeting and has clearly made me even more excited to start this new academic year. Many might not understand how much energy, hard work and thought go into making DSU an institution that is continually and fervently striving to be better and to provide students the extraordinary learning environment that is our goal.

As always comments and questions are welcomed here on the blog or in person.

Getting ready

It is amazing how fast a summer can go. Seems like just a few weeks ago we had commencement and now we are in the final stages of getting ready for the start of a new academic year. I spent some time walking around campus this past week and there are alot of things to get done before we welcome back the faculty/staff on the 24th and new student move in on the 30th. The residence hall projects (Emry and Zimmermann this summer) seems to have gone more smoothly and we are all confident that the major renovations will be completed although lots of clean up etc. There are some new sidewalks that have been installed - a constant update and we will have some new lights up around campus. Of course the major project we are preparing for is the total renovation of the Science Center. Everyone has been busy moving out and throwing out the accumulation of some 40 years. We will open bids for the project on Aug 13th and the actual work should start around Sept 1 with total completion of the project to take approximately one year. We are doing some work in Heston Hall - elevator retrofit or something like that. The student services center in the Trojan Center has been renovated and up dated and yes even the VP for Academic Affairs and the President's office are being painted and updated.

Before the start of the academic year we will also have newly designed banners up around campus with a new athletic logo unveiled. A new TROJAN mascot will be on the banners around the athletic complex. There will also be new billboards going up on Interstate 29 and a new lighted sign on HWY 34 is now welcoming visitors to Madison - Home of Dakota State University.

Our enrollment projections look very good for this fall with enrollment of new first year students and transfers up 11% compared to a year ago. I am confident that we will set a new overall enrollment record again this fall.

We are reinvigorating our DSU 2.0 Capital Campaign and will be spending a great deal of time working on establishing relationships and asking for investments in the university. I am also committing myself to more regular blogging!

Reflections

Reflection and New Beginnings

Every year about this time I go through a period of very serious reflection on what the past academic year has brought to Dakota State University. When students arrived last fall we were still in the last stages of some major construction projects – the finishing touches to the renovations of Higbee and Richardson Halls. While there were many adjustments and last minute “fixes” that needed to be made this improvement was certainly a positive addition to the campus. The new Myxers coffee place and convenience store was not quite ready but shortly after the beginning of fall semester it became a part of the campus experience. Other renovation projects included the new mailbox room in the Trojan Center and the refurbishing and renovating of the conference rooms in the TC. Beadle Hall also received a “face lift” with all new windows and window blinds etc. The admissions office in Heston Hall had a major up-grade with a new “high tech” look to reflect “who we are” when students first visit here.

Students had other adjustments to be made including our conversion to the D2L course management system and the use of a new tablet computer “the Fujitsu” in place of many of our Gateways.

While there is no way to capture all the highlights of this past year let me explore just a few.

· DSU was awarded a 2 million dollar grant to establish the National Center for the Protection of the Financial Infrastructure. Over the next few years this center will bring faculty/researchers that will work with graduate students and others on campus to advance our research agenda in the area of banking and finance information security.
· For the third year in a row, US News announced that DSU was the highest ranked public baccalaureate college in the Midwest region
· The Board of Regents approved a new Master’s degree in Health Informatics and approved the establishment of a Center for the Advancement of Health Information Technology here at Dakota State
· One of our students, Justin Kulm, was named the first student from DSU to be the student commander of the AFROTC unit based at SDSU
· We set a record enrollment number of 2780 head count
· Admitted our first students to the Computer Game Design major
· Launched a new look to our web site
· President launched his highly successful and stimulating “Coffee with the President” on Thursday mornings
· We welcomed a new Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students – Jesse Wise
· Hired a new Vice President for Advancement – Judy Payne


It is always gratifying and amazing to think about all that happens here over the course of the year at a university that is as dynamic as Dakota State.

At this time, I also enjoy thinking about the changes that will take place this next year and new parts of the DSU experience that will wait for students who will be returning in the fall

· DSU will complete the renovation projects for our residence halls with Emry and Zimmerman receiving the same type of improvements that Higbee and Richardson received last year.
· We will begin a year - long total renovation of the Science Center. This will refurbish almost every area in the building and will bring a very technology rich experience to our science and math classes.
· There will likely be more Fujitsu computers on campus.
· A new audio production studio will be located in the TCB and will support the Digital Arts and Design curriculum
· We will unveil a new athletic logo with new banners hanging on the campus
· We will have new head coaches in Football, Volleyball and Men’s Basketball.

In the next couple of weeks we will also experience a couple of “Firsts” at the university. At our Spring 09 Commencement we will award our first ever doctoral degree. This is a hall mark event for this university and will make all of us reflect on how far DSU has come.

On the more celebratory and fun side of the next couple of weeks, I will host the first annual evening before commencement picnic for all our graduates at the new president’s residence. All the graduating student will be invited to attend a brief outdoor picnic following the commencement rehearsal on Friday, May 8th.

It has been an “awesome” year and more is still to come!!!