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Workplace Ethics Agreement

League of Innovations ConferenceAnaheim, California

Sunday, March 2, 2014

FacilitatorsDr. Phillip Neal, President

Dr. Gerald F. Napoles, Senior Vice President-Student and Organizational Success Angie Harlan, Associate Professor-Nursing

Susan Harmon, Associate Professor-Office Systems TechnologySteve Hatcher, Professor-Welding

Brian Sparks, Associate Professor-Engineering Technology

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Technical Programs– Certificates, Diplomas– AAS

Transfer Programs– AA– AS

– Allied Health and Nursing – Welding, Electrical,

Automotive– Business Administration

Systems, Computer and Information Technologies, Medical Information Technology, and Office Systems Technology

– Culinary Arts – Engineering, Machining, and

Manufacturing Technologies

About Us

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Enrollment

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Conceptualization

• Faculty-driven response to industry’s work ethics epidemic

• Graduates have strong skills, but poor work ethic

• Collaboration between SKYCTC faculty and Program Advisory Committee members

• Reviewed industry human resource policies

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Conceptualization

• Based on feedback from educators, community leaders, and business and industry partners, workplace ethics practices promoting success in the classroom are incorporated into course expectations.

• Originally established “Attendance Policy” • Revised to “Workplace Ethics” making other

expected behaviors more prominent.

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Workplace Ethics Agreement

In addition to course and program competencies, student success will be measured by: – Being Present and Punctual– Participating in academic activities– Maintaining Professional behavior

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Implementation

• Faculty Senate voted to implement practice for on-campus courses beginning Fall 2011– Not used in online, BIT, dual credit, or fire rescue

training• Common statement placed on all on-campus course

syllabi• Students sign the syllabi

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Implementation

• Attendance Expectation • Students missing 15% of class sessions:– Withdrawn by faculty if it occurred before mid-

term withdrawal deadline– Receive a failing grade if it occurred after mid-

term withdrawal deadline• Faculty keep own records, but must report last

day of attendance

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Impact

Reports from • Faculty• Students• Program Advisory Committees• Community• National Organizations

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A Faculty’s Perspective

“Students arrive on time in the morning and after lunch, and they are ready to start

when class begins. The students tell me that they are glad that there are no longer

late comers interrupting class.”

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Faculty Report…

• Faculty Empowerment - more control in classroom• Tardiness has decreased dramatically• Classroom behavior problems are fewer• SKYCTC selected as a Best Place to Work

in Kentucky in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

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A Student’s Perspective“I just wanted to write you and tell you how much I respect and

appreciate the education that I received from the [SKYCTC] Nursing program…. I have several classmates in my [work] orientation class and

we behave in a total different manner than our peers.…

Rules were hard, … but it was necessary and taught us discipline. I am very thankful the school I attended was very structured, organized and

respectful.

In this day and time, respect and professionalism are sometimes hard to instill and maintain. Please hold fast to these aspects in Glasgow, it is

what makes your graduates unique!”

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Students Report…

• Positive impact on their own behavior– Learning self discipline– Increased motivation and success, due to

expected attendance• Less serious students who were disruptive

either leave or are withdrawn

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Program Advisory Committees’ Perspective…

“Finally, someone is listening to our needs. Thank you for listening to us.”

“There is a different kind of student coming from the college. They are showing up on

time and taking initiative.”

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Graduates’ Work Attitude

2009-10 2010-11 2011-124

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

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4.54.46

4.65

Average "work attitude rating" given by employers of graduates.

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Community Members Report…

• Barren River Area Development District is promoting SKYCTC’s Workplace Ethics practice to businesses.

• Chamber of Commerce is showcasing this practice to prospective and existing businesses as evidence of how SKYCTC is responding to workforce needs.

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National Recognition• NISOD published a best practices article on SKYCTC

Workplace Ethics (May 2012).

• CCSSE is requesting SKYCTC publish Workplace Ethics practice as a national best practice.

• League of Innovations recognized Workplace Ethics as an Innovation of the Year (May 2013).

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Grades

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Persistence

Fall-to-Spring Persistence• Fall 2010 to Spring 2011• No Workplace Ethics Policy• 71% persistence

• Fall 2013 to Spring 2014• Workplace Ethics Policy Implemented• 72% persistence

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R2T4

• Increase in numbers of students receiving Federal Financial Aid.

• Increase in Federal Financial Aid dollars.• Continuing decrease each year in percent of

returned to federal government.

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Thank you for the opportunity to share what we are learning.

Questions?

WORKPLACE ETHICS AGREEMENT Introduction Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) is committed to student success and improving employability of the students. Based on feedback from educators, community leaders, and business and industry partners, workplace ethics practices promoting success in the classroom are incorporated into course expectations. In addition to course and program competencies, student success will be measured by: • being present and punctual• participating in academic activities• maintaining professional behavior

Present and PunctualStudents are expected to demonstrate a strong work ethic by being present and punctual for all class sessions. Students will be considered absent if they are tardy or leave before class is dismissed. If a student is absent for more than 15% of the scheduled class sessions, the student will be withdrawn from the course. If this occurs prior to the official withdrawal date, the student will be withdrawn from the course and a “W” issued on their transcript. After the official withdrawal date, the student will be issued a failing grade “E” on their transcript.

*Note: Due to programmatic requirements, some programs may require students to be present for a higher percentage of classes (more than 85 percent).

Participation Students are expected to demonstrate strong work ethics by actively participating in all class sessions and completing academic activities. Participation includes but is not limited to:• engaging in and completing activities• putting forth full effort for the entire class session• seeking assistance when needed• maintaining clean and orderly work areas If at any time a student does not participate in a class session, laboratory, clinical or other scheduled academic activity, it is the student’s responsibility to make satisfactory arrangements for any make-up work, if permitted by the instructor.

Professional ConductStudents are expected to conduct themselves professionally, as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct located on the KCTCS website. Professional conduct includes but is not limited to: • dressing appropriately• engaging instructors, college employees, and students with respect• utilizing technology appropriately• refraining from disruptive behavior• modeling behavior appropriate to his/her chosen profession Any conduct within a course that disrupts the learning environment will result in the student being dismissed, counted absent, and may result in disciplinary action.