1. Strategizing SI Support at the Department Level
FLEX Workshop for Fall 2017
August 14, 2:00-3:15 in L-147

2. Why coordinate SI support within a department?
Currently, except for COMM, SI support is based on individual
instructor requests.
Why coordinate SI support within a department?

3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Coordinating SI (and other Academic) Support
More efficient use of limited SI resources=broader support for students
Not every instructor will have Leaders to the extent desired
Causes dept members to work together more closely and bridges gap with Academic Support Services
Loss of individual autonomy; extra work required
All instructors within dept have
clear customized resource to which to refer struggling students ??
If and when SI funding gets cut, depts. with an SI master plan will likely suffer less impact.
Extra time, planning, and care required to coordinate resources

4. The Spring 2017 COMM SI Pilot
Background to
starting the pilot
The planning process
-Finding space
-Scheduling
-Faculty on call
Types of academic
support offered
Holding focus group
meetings with Leaders
Tracking attendance
Promoting SI within the
department
Triumphs and struggles
Professor Helen Acosta

5. Work with others in your discipline or department.
1st, take several minutes to individually skim over the handout: “Department
Planning for Strategic Use of Supplemental Instruction (SI)”.

6. Discuss the following with those around you.
Honestly, how open do you think your department would be to this level
of collaboration regarding academic support?
Would you be willing to spearhead a discussion at your next dept. meeting?
Do you think it might require more effort than it’s worth? Explain.
What would be your department’s biggest challenges in trying to get
something like this set up?
Are you currently satisfied with your students’ general level of achievement?

7. Looking to the future…
SI is not yet institutionalized but rather still grant funded—we
are currently in a time of relative plenty but need to plan for the
inevitable pinch that always returns as the pendulum swings!
Consider developing a department-specific plan as to how you could use SI,
Tutoring, and other academic support services in a consistent way across your
area.
The form you have as a handout will also be available digitally at

8. The Time to Start Planning for Spring 2018 is NOW
Take the planning form to your department meetings.
Invite Academic Support Services staff to present at your meetings.
We want to work more closely with you in supporting your students outside the
classroom.
Concerns? Barriers? Let’s address them and find ways to resolve them or work around them.