CSLI Advisory Board Sept. 18/20 2007

1. CSLI Advisory BoardSept. 18/20 2007 Agenda: Review/discuss CSLI History and Board Survey Review discuss Fall 2007 Survey Discuss possible themes for Spring 2008 Survey Any other new/old business Center for the Study of Local Issues Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway Arnold, MD 21012-1895 http:www2.aacc.edu/csli ddnataf@aacc.edu 410.777.2733

2. Review/discuss CSLI History and Board Survey Historical Background: CSLI’s three periods 1. Creation and operation as part of Division of Social Sciences: 1978-1999 2. Operation under Vice President for Learning 2000-2006 3.Operation as part of Paul S. Sarbanes Center for Public and Community Service 2006-present

3. 1978-1999 2000-2005 2006-present Phase Institutional Linkage Division of Social Sciences Learning Sarbanes Center Director reported to… Associate Dean of Social Sciences Vice President of Learning Director of Sarbanes Center Budget Income: $1000 from AACC + % of project income Costs: P-T assistant; 2 course release time for Director Income: Retains all project income Costs: F-T assistant; 2 course release time for Director Income: Retains all project income Costs: P-T? assistant; 2 course release time for Director Review/discuss CSLI History and Board Survey

4. Review/discuss CSLI History and Board Survey: Student Involvement

5. Review/discuss CSLI History and Board Survey: Projects

6. Review/discuss CSLI History and Board Survey: Major Innovations

7. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Mission: Students, Community, Faculty, College

8. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – AACC Value

9. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – County Value

10. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – “Overall Value” Compared

11. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Scope: Expand, Retain, Contract

12. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Conclusions about Sections • Generally high marks for all sections, especially for value to AACC • Sections most favored for expansion: college research and web-panel • Sections likely to be stable or gradually increased – student involvement, paid/donated CSLI services, semi-annual surveys • Sections which should be retained as is, neither expanded nor contracted – community outreach

13. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey: Changes to Board’s Role • Previous model: Board met twice a year with this general agenda • 1. A brief overview of CSLI projects and initiatives • A review of findings from the previous survey • A presentation and discussion about a draft survey submitted to the board by the CSLI director • Any ideas about new survey topics for future polls • Adjournment. • Proposed model: Full board meets twice a year with this general agenda • Board chair calls meeting to order • Committee chairs present/discuss committee activity and initiatives • Chairs/committees/director meet as needed • Director reviews ongoing CSLI activities, concerns • Director presents draft survey • Any other new/old business • Adjournment

14. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Changes to Board’s Role

15. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Changes to Board’s Role

16. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Appendix A: Full Results

17. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Appendix B: Open Ended Comments Comments about student involvement in CSLI activities: “A great way to get students interested in their communities, in research, in the subjects of the surveys, in government. Also less costly than hiring individuals to do these activities.” “Student interns and other collaborators are crucial to the success of sensitive survey projects.” Comments about CSLI’s generation and use of survey findings: “These reports are virtually unique in our entire region -- especially so for a community college. They are fervently welcomed in politically and socially oriented group meetings, and they convey indelibly favorable impressions of the College on participants.”

18. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Appendix B: Open Ended Comments Comments about CSLI’s proposed development of a web panel or other new activities the Center should consider: “Telephone calls can and often do come at inconvenient times. Using this methodology should allow the respondent to answer the survey questions at their own convenience .” “Gathering email addresses" does not sound like an effective way to garner a random sample. Without random sampling the survey is of little use.” “Agree that with cell phones as only phones, the information gathered is biased toward older people and response rates are not as high. The CDC is looking at ways to change the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System methodology to reflect this issue.” “Major universities have converted their own surveys to email panels, with beneficial results. (I'm too new to the area to propose substantial additions to the CSLI agenda, but I'm in favor of whatever enhances student and community awareness of public events.” “The problem with opt in surveys by email is that we will be surveying only people who like to participate in surveys.”

19. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Appendix B: Open Ended Comments Comments about CSLI’s sponsored and donated research projects, including any ideas about ways that CSLI can increase its visibility and generate more research projects: “Is CSLI a registered federal contract agency? There might be business through the federal government. Also, many of the federal grants require a rigorous scientific evaluation of success - so rigorous that we at the Health Dept. don't apply because we d .” “Benefits of such activities to the institution (AACC) are incalculable. To enhance salience, student/faculty teams should appear frequently at group meetings, public events, and political gatherings -- to spread the word.” “Contact the 110 agencies that utilize the AACC service learning program to let them know about the survey service and give them examples of what other agencies have asked AACC to survey.”

20. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Appendix B: Open Ended Comments Comments about CSLI’s community outreach and media relations efforts: “The welcome obtained throughout the community speaks for itself. The man is worth his weight in gold.” Comments about CSLI’s college oriented research: “I would think that these studies can improve the curriculum and other services offered by the college. That, in turn, improves the value of living in the County.”

21. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Appendix B: Open Ended Comments Comments about proposed changes to the CSLI board: “The changes seem quite interesting. I would very much like to be part of this.” “I think Board members should be expected to read the results of the previous survey themselves since you send the materials out beforehand, and the meetings should focus on the future, whether it's new surveys, a review of suggested topics, etc.” “Unable to comment, having just been invited to the board.” “I think this is a good idea- I have served on many boards in the past - those that are Working boards versus advisory boards have better retention and participation. The trick is to get rid of the people who only want it on their resume- using a Board of Directors job description that is specific about this being a working board helps to keep people off who don't…” “Well thought out survey!”

22. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Appendix B: Open Ended Comments Comments about CSLI’s two greatest strengths: “Nobody else collects survey data on the local level. The director does a great job providing quality survey result with the use of novice volunteers.” “Asset to the college in developing surveying and analysis skills that can help students in furthering their studies or performing job related research.”“Asset to the County, its politicians and government entities in assessing the political and social issues.” “1) It fills part of an enormous gap in public awareness of policy matters that must be taken seriously.2) It brings highly creditable notoriety to the college.” “Director's knowledge of survey research.” “The teamwork of the Director, staff, faculty, and students involved in each project.” “Connection to the community and good reputation.” “1. Community acceptance.”

23. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Appendix B: Open Ended Comments Comments about CSLI’s two greatest weaknesses: “Much of each survey is composed of the same tired question(s) that do not change very often. I would like to have the data made available to students in raw form, so that they could use it to conduct their own original research with the data (i.e., test hypotheses).” “Not sure. I do not understand very well how CSLI fits into the college's governance and structure. Is it similar to UMBC's "Centers," which do research and provide staff support to state projects? I'm not sure how many of the Centers' staff are faculty members, but I typically come in contact with them when the state contracts with them (pretty easy to do, since they're the State, too) for such things as Medicaid program development or grant development.” “Unable to identify these with any assurance; possibly, CSLI depends too critically upon its admirable director.” “Getting harder each year to get the public to participate in telephone interviews.Both paid and unpaid projects in CSLI can be affected by students willingness and commitment to participate, especially when their school work should always take precedence. “ “Having only an advisory board and funding limitations.” “Limited availability of research results to the general public.”

24. CSLI’s Future - Board Survey – Appendix B: Open Ended Comments Comments about CSLI’s evolution in next five years: “I would like to see the data more actively used for scholarly research about the county. The univariate analysis that the center produces is interesting, but it should be the starting place for students who are interested in studying local government.” “I'll need to wait and see. Thanks for asking.” “Since I think CSLI is great as it is right now, I would just like to see it get even better with more student, faculty, and Advisory Board involvement.” “Expand distribution of CSLI to the General Public with more aggressive public relations program.”