Model Institutions for Excellence, Phase II

为了实现增加科学，工程和数学（SEM）毕业生参加SEM研究生学位课程的人数的主要目标，泽维尔大学在卓越示范机构（MIE）计划的第一阶段给予了相当大的关注，以发展能力建设；特别是在物理设施方面。这一努力已经完成了大学通信和信息技术网络基础设施的主要部分。因此，所有的教师，学生和工作人员现在都有电子邮件帐户和访问互联网和万维网。此外，一个开放的学生计算机实验室；资源与辅导中心；图书馆设有超过70个电脑站及4个小组研习区，并延长办公时间（由上午8时至午夜12时）。此外，作为一项重大工程，学术科学大楼10万平方英尺的扩建工程于1998年底完工，并开始投入使用。该楼设有生物系、化学系、计算机科学与计算机工程系和物理/工程系。由于不断发展的策略，在大学社区内创造一个环境，吸引越来越多的经济管理学院学生以一种“企业”的心态，引导他们考虑追求研究生学位，学生成绩的适度成功已经开始实现。目前有超过75名学生（比1995年MIE项目开始时多）积极参与旨在为研究生院做准备的活动。作为在项目前四年直接受到MIE影响的SEM学生成果的快照，值得注意的是，MIE项目在经济上支持了大约130名学生。在这些学生中，仍有43名学生被录取为SEM本科生，62名学生获得了SEM学位，其中49名（79%）随后进入研究生院学习。剩下的人数包括刚毕业的学生（11人）和毕业后选择就业的学生（9人）。随着项目的进展，预计学生的成果将变得更加丰富和明显，因为那些接触到MIE项目提供的机会的学生（包括获得增强的设施，以及同样重要的对本科生研究的扩大支持）完成了他们的本科训练。在学术上，大学通过成功完成所有（包括董事会）批准启动计算机工程学士学位，从2000年秋季学期开始，实现了一个重要的里程碑。这将是国内唯一一个独立HBCU的此类项目。这一努力是在过去四年中由超过15个教员在同样多的课程中开展的许多课程发展和改进活动之外进行的。一项主要的行政举措是努力发展徐大学本科生研究中心，该中心目前正在建立过程中，全国正在寻找中心主任。此外，大学改用“2000年校旗”数据管理系统，可确保大学拥有一个符合2000年标准的综合管理系统，而且有助大学努力成为在行政管理过程中使用资讯科技的模范院校。这一发展的必然结果是设立了一个新的大学职位-技术行政协理副校长，作为首席信息主任，他现在负责监督和实施大学的所有电子技术。上述事态发展清楚地表明，该大学决心和承诺将长期发展和将MIE倡议制度化，纳入学术进程的各个方面。通过这样做，大学希望实现最终的MIE目标，即显著增加泽维尔大学毕业生参加与SEM相关的研究生学位课程的人数。

In pursuit of the primary objective of increasing the number of Science, Engineering and Mathematics (SEM) graduates who enroll in SEM graduate degree programs, Xavier University has given considerable attention in Phase I of the Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) Program to the development of capacity building; particularly in the area of physical facilities. This effort has resulted in the completion of major portions of the University communications and information technology network infrastructure. As a consequence, all faculty, students and staff now have electronic mail accounts and access to the Internet and the World Wide Web. Additionally, an open student computer lab; the Resource and Mentoring Center; with over 70 computing stations and 4 group study areas has been established in the University library with extended operating hours (of 8:00am to 12 midnight). And, a major undertaking, the construction of a 100,000 square foot addition to the Academic Science building was completed with occupancy initiated in late 1998. The building houses the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Sciences and Computer Engineering, and Physics/Engineering.Moderate success in student outcomes is already beginning to be realized as a result of the ever-evolving strategies designed to create an environment within the University community to attract increasing numbers of SEM students to a "corporate" mindset that leads them to take into consideration the pursuit of a graduate degree. There are currently over 75 more students now (than there were at the beginning of the MIE program in 1995) who are actively involved in activities designed to prepare them for graduate school. As a snapshot of SEM student outcomes of those who have been directly affected by MIE through the first four years of the program, it is noted that the MIE program has financially supported approximately 130 students. Of that number, 43 students are still enrolled as SEM undergraduates, 62 have graduated with SEM degrees, of which 49 (79%) subsequently enrolled in graduate school. The remaining numbers include those who are recent graduates (11), and those who have chosen employment (9 in SEM areas) subsequent to graduation. As the program progresses, it is expected that student outcomes will become more plentiful and apparent as those students who have been exposed to the opportunities provided by the MIE program (including access to enhanced facilities, and the equally important expanded support for undergraduate research) complete their undergraduate training.Academically, the University achieved a major milestone by successfully completing all (including Board of Trustees) approvals for initiation of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering to begin with the Fall 2000 Semester. This will be the only such program at an independent HBCU in the country. This effort is in addition to the many activities of curriculum development and enhancement that has been performed by over 15 faculty in equally as many courses during the past four years.A major administrative initiative has been the efforts to develop the XU Center for Undergraduate Research - which is now in the process of being established with the national search in progress for a Center Director. In addition, the movement by the University to the SCT Banner 2000 data management system will ensure that it has an integrated management system that is not only year 2000 compliant, but will also support its efforts to become a model institution in the use of information technology in the administrative processes of the University. A corollary to this development has been the establishment of a new University position - Associate Vice President for Technology Administration, who, as the Chief Information Officer, is now responsible for oversight and implementation of all electronic technology in the University. The above noted developments clearly establish the resolve and commitment of the University to the long-term development and institutionalization of MIE initiatives into all aspects of the academic process. In so doing, the University expects to achieve the ultimate MIE objective of significantly increasing the number of Xavier graduates who enroll in SEM related graduate degree programs.