Back See this section in context: Criterion 1 Core Component 1D

1D.5: Effective Communication

Sauk has improved communication over the last ten years, both by establishing or improving internal processes and by increasing the use of the Internet.

• FAST: FAST (Faculty and Staff Tools) is a password-protected portion of the college webpage restricted to employees. It provides access to internal documents, procedures, and committee minutes. In the fall 2009 survey, 97% of employees reported that they were aware that committee minutes are available on the website.
• Email: The availability of FAST has greatly reduced the number of internal emails with attachments. Only a few vital reports are still emailed to receive greater visibility:
  • Human Resources updates contain information related to benefits, current job openings, and new hires.
  • President’s Cabinet and Administrative Council Minutes draw attention to current issues that are receiving administrative attention.
  • Board of Trustees meeting agendas and minutes provide information on policy and budget items under consideration.
• Employee newsletter: Until recently, the Sauk Scout was a weekly newsletter published online. The newsletter contained information regarding upcoming events, meetings, activities, emergency information, and accomplishments of faculty and staff. Information Services records show that over a six-month period of time, the Scout had 1345 unique viewings, and the fall 2009 survey showed that the Sauk Scout was read on average by 67% of employees weekly and 41% of the adjunct faculty. The Scout was discontinued in January 2011 while the entire marketing function went through a review and reorganization after the Coordinator of Public Relations resigned. A reformatted Scout is scheduled for fall 2011.
• Meetings: Preparation for the 2006 HLC Focused Visit created a complex system of groups and meetings. Since then, the number and type of meetings have been reduced. However, regular meetings continue as a demonstration of the shared governance expectation that has become embedded in the institution’s philosophy. For example, each semester, a workshop day is conducted which includes campus-wide information for faculty and staff.