Campus Experience Task Force
UTSA recently completed its yearlong strategic plan refresh process, outlining its continued efforts in transforming the institution into a leading Hispanic Serving, public research university. The refresh resulted in affirming destination one and modestly refining destinations two and three.
Destination three now specifies that UTSA will be an innovative place to work, learn and discover. As a result of these updates, the university has launched a task force to lead the effort toward achieving the destination’s goals to enhance the campus experience for faculty, staff and students, both in-person and online.
Goals
The Campus Experience Task Force has three clearly defined goals that will guide its work.
- Identify best practices that promote an exceptional campus experience
- Develop flexible work arrangement guidance
- Optimize academic course and program modality
Task Force Membership
Members of the task force represent areas across campus that work toward improving the campus experience for students, faculty and staff.
Executive Sponsors
Veronica Salazar, Executive Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Enterprise Development Officer
Heather Shipley, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Task Force Co-chairs
Mary Hernandez, Senior Associate Vice President for Administration and Operations
Katie Meersman, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Operations and Strategic Initiatives
Task Force Support
People Excellence, led by Kay Madden, Associate Vice President
Space Management, led by Josh Gerken, Associate Vice President
Institutional Research & Analysis, led by Steve Wilkerson, Senior Vice Provost and Chief Analytics Officer
Task Force Members:
| Member |
Area |
| Albert Carrisalez |
University Relations |
| Amy Fritz |
Staff Senate |
| Aydan Villarreal |
Student Government Association |
| Giselle Torres Villarreal |
Student Government Association |
|
Barbara Smith |
Student Success |
|
Chelsea Trotter |
President’s Division |
|
Dan Gockley |
Student Success |
| Traci Guinn |
ADA and Accessibility |
| Eric Brey |
College Deans |
| Jenell Bramlage |
University Technology Solutions |
| Jessica Vela |
Office of Research |
| Liz Rockstroh |
Business Affairs |
| LT Robinson |
Student Affairs |
| Nikki McGovern |
Athletics |
| Rebecca Anderson |
Advancement & Alumni Engagement |
| Rica Ramirez |
Faculty Senate |
| Sheri Hardison |
Financial Affairs |
| Wenbo Wu |
Chairs Council |
Working Groups
To complete its work, the Campus Experience Task Force was divided into four working groups, each focused on an important aspect of the campus experience.
-
Wellbeing and Community
Identify best practices for promoting an exceptional campus experience, including strategies for fostering employee and student success and enhancing collaboration and engagement in the “new normal.” -
Flexible Work Playbook
Identify best practices for a work modality playbook, including 1) job aids and resources to facilitate decision-making for assigning the appropriate work modality, 2) review of the out-of-state work exemption request process, and 3) resources to support employees based on work modality. -
Value Proposition
Develop an inventory of “perks” of working and learning at UTSA, including 1) recommendations to promote them effectively and 2) other potential “perks” that should be explored. -
Academic Experience
Assess student needs and expectations for program and course modality alternatives and support services
Timeline
The task force conducted their work over the fall 2023 semester and presented their preliminary recommendations to the Executive Sponsors in December 2023. Each working group was charged with making recommendations that fell into three categories: low-hanging fruit, mid-range goals and long-range goals.
During the spring 2024 semester, the co-chairs deduplicated, organized, prioritized, and socialized the recommendations, and various project teams were developed.
Currently, the task force co-chairs are engaging individuals and offices on campus who would be responsible for implementing the recommendations and/or are undertaking related work.
Recommendations
Academic Experience
Course Offerings
Recommendation: Offer core and high-demand courses in multiple modalities, as appropriate.
Planned Actions:
- Continue to offer courses in multiple modalities.
- Remove the “online hybrid” modality beginning in spring 2025.
Advising Enhancements
Recommendation: Hold regular meetings between academic advising and departments to get timely updates on course offerings, catalog changes and input on course sequencing.
Planned Actions:
- Leverage Associate Deans Council on Undergraduate Studies to facilitate communication among advising, departments, and college curriculum committees
Communication and Collaboration
Recommendations:
- Improve the onboarding experience for students through online orientation.
- Host more information sessions by different academic units (e.g. Libraries, student success centers) to make students aware of available resources.
- Host events to connect faculty and students in order to foster good relationships beyond the classroom.
Planned Action: Leverage Ruby Tuesday group to identify communication improvements related to existing resources (e.g. First-Year Journey Working Group).
Employee Experience
Roadrunner Experience Website
Recommendation: Create a centralized hub for accessing information on benefits and perks.
Planned Actions:
- Create new Employee Success website.
- Link to existing Student Success and Faculty Success websites.
- Expand UTSA Discount Program.
- Develop communication campaign.
- Facilitate vendor request process to establish new discounts.
Employee Success Center
Recommendation: Create a gathering space to connect employees with professional development, EAP, wellness and other resources.
Planned Actions:
- Combine Talent Management and Wellness into a new area of People Excellence called Employee Success.
- Expand the Wellness Champions program.
- Offer regular programming, such as financial planning presentations, coaching/mentorship, leadership development, social events and more.
- Connect with existing efforts, such as the UTSA Thrive initiative, campus well-being, etc.
Flexible Work Modality Resources
Recommendation: Develop job aids and streamlined processes to support flexible work.
Planned Actions:
- Create a work modality review matrix to help leaders determine work modalities.
- Update the Out-of-State Work Exception Request process.
- Develop best practices for setting up hoteling stations, standard equipment for hybrid and remote employees, telecommuting agreements, space use and assignment, etc.
Campus Experience
Enhanced Infrastructure and Services
Recommendation: Create a seamless experience for students and employees.
Planned Actions:
- Engage study to explore options for optimizing parking spaces, parking permit options and improving traffic flow.
- Explore enhanced transportation options to travel between campuses, such as The Little Runner.
- Assess additional opportunities for single sign-on and wi-fi connectivity.
- Assess expanded dining options across all campuses, with options to meet dietary needs.
Placemaking and Programming
Recommendations: Create an employee/student experience that is unique to UTSA.
Planned Action:
- Create and promote gathering places throughout campus, in connection with the Placemaking Council.
- Explore more holistic/extended orientation and onboarding for both employees and students.
- Offer cross-campus training on virtual, hybrid and in-person events for a consistent high-quality event experience.
Share Your Thoughts
Although the task force has presented its final recommendations, we are still accepting ideas or suggestions to help improve the campus experience for students, faculty and staff. All Roadrunners are welcome to share their ideas with the task force co-chairs or complete the survey below.
Questions or Feedback
If you have questions or would like to share feedback throughout this process, please contact CETaskForce@utsa.edu.
