I. PERFORMANCE REPORT
March 1, 2000 - February 28, 2001

II. PROJECT SUMMARY
During the period from March 1, 2000 - February 28, 2001, the Jesse H. Jones School of Business used Title III funds to address three critical accreditation concerns: 1) assessment, 2) student retention, and 3) faculty development. A more comprehensive assessment plan was formulated and implemented. Results from the assessments were used to modify processes and implement changes in the School of Business. Student retention studies were also conducted using the Noel-Levitz Retention Management System. Early results indicate that the data will be quite useful in designing initiatives and activities to improve the retention rate. Support for faculty development increased research participation/productivity and improved the instructional currency of the faculty.

Title III funding for the School of Business was provided to enhance the overall quality of the Jesse H. Jones School of Business and to achieve accreditation of the School from the AACSB - The International Association for Management Education. The School of Business has made significant progress in preparing for accreditation during this period.

• Self Evaluation Report - 85% complete. An initial draft of the formal written Self-Evaluation Report has been completed.
• AACSB Advisor's Review of Self-Evaluation Report - 95% complete. The Advisor has reviewed the draft of the Self-Evaluation Report, visited the School of Business, and provided recommendations on ways to more effectively demonstrate conformance with the accreditation standards.

III. PROJECT STATUS

Objective I
Development of an assessment and effectiveness system to provide critical feedback on student outcomes.

Accomplishments

• Faculty and Student Satisfaction Surveys - completed. Survey instruments have been acquired and administered. Data have been analyzed. Results have been interpreted and selected statistics have been included in the accreditation Self-Evaluation report. Results are also being used to develop a new 5-year strategic plan. Details of the surveys and results are available in the Office of the Dean.
• Tests for Business Core Competencies - 75% completed. Pre-tests have been administered to freshmen students enrolled in the introductory business class during Fall 2000 and Spring 2001. Post-tests have been administered to December graduates (baccalaureate) and will be administered to May graduates during April 2001.
• Alumni Survey - completed. Data from undergraduate and MBA alumni have been analyzed. Selected statistics will be included in the accreditation Self-Evaluation Report and used as a basis for strategic plan objectives and action steps. Results of the surveys are available in the Dean's Office.

Objective II
To increase retention of business and accounting majors by 5%.

Accomplishments
The School pilot tested the Noel-Levitz Retention Management System (RMS). The RMS is an early-intervention, early-alert system based on student self-reported information gathered through the College Student Inventory (CSI). The RMS permits the School to assess students' individual academic and personal needs; recognize students' specific strengths and coping mechanisms so that successful intervention techniques in areas of need can be implemented; identify students who are at risk of academic and/or personal difficulties and who may drop out; and understand students' attitudes and motivational patterns so that intervention is more successful.

• CSI Inventory Administration and Data Analysis - completed. The CSI survey has been administered to students enrolled in Mgmt. 101 (freshman-level introductory business course) during Fall 2000 and Spring 2001. For comparative purposes, it was also administered to juniors and seniors enrolled in Mgmt. 300 (junior-level principles of management course). Results are available in the Dean's Office.
• Retention Intervention Strategies Based on CSI Results - 25% completed. Utilizing the CSI, a proposal has been developed to explore the social transition aspects of retention and is presently being considered for implementation.

Objective III
To provide at least one faculty development activity for each of the Jesse H. Jones School of Business faculty members.

Accomplishments

• Southwestern Business Administration Teaching Conference - 90% completed. The conference was held October 19 - 20, 2000. During the conference, faculty in various business disciplines from 33 universities in 12 states presented papers and exchanged ideas about emerging trends and issues involved in teaching and learning. All faculty members in the School of Business attended the conference; eight School of Business faculty members made presentations. The Southwestern Business Administration Journal is being prepared; it will contain articles based on presentations at the conference. The program for the conference and information on its success are available in the Dean's Office.
• Proceedings of the 1999 Southwestern Business Administration Conference - completed. The Proceedings was distributed to participants in the 1999 conference.
• Faculty Development - All funds available for travel have been expended and used for travel related to accreditation and faculty development.
• Working Paper Series - 40% completed. A series of faculty research seminars have been held every semester. The Assistant Dean for Research has begun the process of encouraging faculty to convert these presentations into formal working papers.

IV. BUDGET INFORMATION
Sixty-one (61%) of the budget has been encumbered to date, and all funds will be exhausted at the end of the budget period.