Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 1 of 11 Program Mission Statement: Taft College Statement of Athletics Philosophy: Student Services Program: Athletics Instructional Division: N/A Program Lead: Kanoe Bandy The Taft College Athletic Department is dedicated to helping our student athletes achieve success both academically and athletically. Taft College supports equitable opportunity for all student athletes and staff and embraces the principles of sportsmanship and ethical conduct, amateurism, compliance, and institutional control set forth by Taft College, the Central Valley Conference (CVC) and the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). The first goal is to provide appropriate services and support for retention and graduation of our student athletes. The second goal is to prepare the student athlete academically and athletically for transfer to the next level. Athletic programs create a collaborative learning environment that not only extends to the student athletes, but to the faculty and staff as well. The Taft College athletic department is expected to function in a manner that projects a positive image of the college to the community. Taft College Athletic Mission: The Taft College Athletic Department aims to give all athletic programs within our institution the opportunity to grow, equally providing each with sufficient funds to run the program. The department also ensures that each program is equipped with the necessary personnel in the coaching staff so that the student athlete is able to leave this institution with the satisfaction that they have received the best that could be offered. All coaching staff members are well equipped with the knowledge necessary to prepare the student athlete to compete and learn at levels beyond community college. Each member is thorough in their ability to teach and implement programs that are beneficial to all student athletes physically, mentally, and socially. The athletic department focuses on assisting the student athlete in building a personal ethic that values others and that aims for personal achievement in a manner that is honorable and admirable. The athletic program engages the student athlete in a learning process where they learn life skills that are beneficial to themselves and the community. Sportsmanship is an important value that is continuously reinforced to our student athletes. We want our athletes to always exhibit positive sportsmanship and behavior that is respectful to the college and to themselves. We expect our athletes to wear their uniform or school colors proudly, following the rules of competition, and always supporting those who support them. Taft College is committed to providing equal opportunities in athletic participation regardless of gender. Taft College is committed to providing a safe environment in which to participate free of drugs, alcohol or any other controlled substance.
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 2 of 11 Program Summary: Taft College offers students the opportunity to participate in several intercollegiate sports. Women may participate in volleyball, soccer, basketball, and softball; and men may participate in baseball and soccer. We currently serve approximately 122 student athletes who must maintain a full time academic load with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in order to participate. Staff: Administration: Superintendent/President Vice President of Student Services Director of Athletics Conference Athletic Representatives: Administrative Representative Women's Representative Men's Representative Coaches: 6 Head Coaches 10 Assistant Coaches Support Staff: Athletic Trainer Athletic Department Secretary/Eligibility Technician Equipment Technician Constitution Compliance: As stated in Board Policy, Taft College expects all personnel of the institution to abide by the letter and spirit of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA), Constitution and Bylaws, which functions as part of the Community College League of California. In addition, Taft College shall abide by the Central Valley Conference (CVC), Constitution and Bylaws and its own institutional rules and regulations. Taft College must also abide by Federal Title IX regulations and State Title V regulations. The Athletic Director is the person responsible for constitutional compliance and for ensuring that each staff member at the college, who works directly with prospective student athletes, receive appropriate in-service training which includes CCCAA Constitution and Bylaws, CVC Constitution and bylaws, Taft College Athletic Department Policies and State Mandated Child Abuse Reporting. Relation to other programs: As stated in Administrative Procedure for Athletics, "Taft College will not provide services to student athletes that it does not provide to all students." The Athletic Department recognizes that the success of the student athlete at Taft College is dependent upon the strength of the other programs on our campus.
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 3 of 11 Counseling: Taft College has an Academic Advisor for Athletes that communicates with the athletic department to keep informed on practice schedules and game schedules. This allows for scheduling of classes with a minimum of missed class sessions. The Academic Advisor for Athletes is responsible for working with the student athletes to develop an Individual Education Plan and keep them on track with eligibility, graduation and transfer requirements. The Academic Advisor for Athletes is also responsible for regular progress reports and communication with faculty regarding the progress of the student athletes. Based upon these reports, student athletes may be referred to tutoring services, student support services, math or English writing labs or back to the Instructor. We are committed to providing the support necessary to help our student athletes succeed academically and work towards graduation and transfer in a timely manner. Athletic eligibility requirements put very stringent timelines on our student athletes. Based on these requirements, in May of 2013, there were 39 student athletes who participated in two seasons of competition. Of those 39 student athletes, 26 of them graduated. In addition, there were 5 student athletes who are in their 3rd year who graduated in 2013. Admissions and Records and Financial Aid Offices: The Athletic Department Secretary/Eligibility Technician works closely with these offices to organize and communicate with prospective student athletes regarding the submission of proper paperwork in a timely fashion. Business Office and Cashier: Payment of enrollment fees and tuition are all handled by the Cashier who is supervised by Business Services. It is the student's responsibility to go to the Cashier to arrange payment of fees after they have registered for classes. Bookstore: Taft College is unique in that many textbooks are available to students on a rental basis from the Taft College Bookstore while other workbooks and supplemental books are available for purchase. Residence Halls and Cafeteria: Student housing is available for students enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester units. Residence hall students are also required to participate in the food service program that serves meals in the Student Center. A residence hall application must be completed in the Admissions Office and security deposit must be paid to the Cashier in order to get their name on the first come, first served list. Office of Instruction: On our campus the Health/Physical Education/Kinesiology Department is driven by Athletics. The majority of the course offerings are Intercollegiate Athletics which support the athletic program and Health Education, which is a local requirement for graduation. Based on this fact, there is a close relationship with the Math/Science Division and the Office of Instruction.
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 4 of 11 Annual Program Goals Update: 1. Reinstatement of reduced funding. Not funded. 2. Addition of a new sport. Not funded. 3. Do a comparison of our student/athletes academic progress with the overall student population using the Cal-PASS data system. 4. Compare retention rates of our student/athletes to the overall student population. 5. Compare graduation rates of our student/athletes to the overall student population. 6. Complete program SLOs. 7. Further define the Athletic Department Mission. Completed. 8. Hiring of a Sports Information Officer. Not funded. 9. Evaluate the transportation needs of the department because of the increase with the Non Traditional Season and the aging fleet. Not funded. 10. Replacement position for head coach due to coaching retirement. Not funded. 11. Develop and print recruiting brochures. Work with the Health/Kinesiology department to develop brochures to serve both departments.
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 5 of 11 12. Update the facilities in the gym. Course Enrollment Trends: The data presented here is for the required intercollegiate course taken by each student athlete during their season of sport. The actual enrollment figures are consistent with the number of student athletes listed on the Form 3 Eligibility Certification form. Fall 08/Spring 09-113 Fall 09/Spring 10-107 Fall 10/Spring 11-105 Fall 11/Spring 12-109 Fall 12/Spring 13-118 Course and Section Success Rates: The success rates of student athletes in intercollegiate courses are very high. This is exactly where they should be since these courses are designed for a very distinct student population. Fall 08/Spring 09-96.70 Fall 09/Spring 10-99.59 Fall 10/Spring 11-94.88 Fall 11/Spring 12-95.79 Fall 12/Spring 13-90.33 Major Counts: Based upon the students Individual Education Plans, the declared majors of the 2012/2013 student athletes are as follows: Liberal Arts w/ Emphasis in Health & PE 37 Liberal Arts w/ Emphasis in Communication 32 Social Science 21 Criminal Justice Administration 9 Liberal Arts w/ Emphasis in Math & Science 4 Business Administration 3 History 1 Liberal Arts w/ Emphasis in Social & Behavioral Science 1 Liberal Arts w/ Emphasis in Natural/Physical Science 1 Summary of Non-Instructional Program Data: Program Effectiveness Measure: In order for the Athletic Department to determine whether it is meeting its mission, "to help student athletes achieve success both academically and athletically," we have developed an exit survey. The
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 6 of 11 survey was originally slated to be given to sophomores who have completed their eligibility at Taft College. As the development of the survey unfolded, it was decided that we would give the survey to all athletes regardless of their eligibility status. This would give the department an opportunity to make positive changes for the returning students who may be able to benefit from their own input. The Athletic Secretary is the person who has been designated to collect and store the data. The exit survey will be administered at the end of the spring semester for all student athletes and those student athletes who plan not to return for their second season. Attached is the actual Exit Survey for review. Exit Survey results are as follows: There were 87 student-athletes who participated in this Exit Survey. Of those 87 student-athletes 82 expressed that they were satisfied with their academic experience. In their comments there were 2 common themes. The first was overwhelming satisfaction with the teachers at Taft College with at least 31 student athletes making positive comments. The second theme was the small class size. This has been something that we have taken pride in here at Taft College and now we have evidence that students have been able to succeed as a result of this. A second question was whether student-athletes were satisfied with their athletic experience here at Taft College. 83 said yes and 4 said no. The area of improvement was facilities. Student-athletes were asked what services they used at Taft College and if they were satisfied with those services. 35 of the student-athletes expressed that they used the Library and were very satisfied with the services provided in the Library. The next question was trying to determine why the student-athletes came to Taft College and it was very clear that they came to Taft College to participate in Athletics. The final question that was very valuable was that 84 of the student-athletes would recommend Taft College to their friends. Based on the Exit Survey, the Athletic Department is meeting its mission, "to help student athletes achieve success both academically and athletically." Athletic Department 8-year Participation Data: See attached chart. Over the past 8 years we have had 55.75% of our student/athletes from the state of California and 44.25% from out of state. This continues to support the need for out of state student/athletes to supplement our athletic programs. When considering that we have only two high schools in the West Kern Community College District, we would be unable to provide a sports program to meet the needs of our local students without the interest of out of state athletes. This supports Taft College's recruiting policy to take particular interest in our two local high schools, expanding out to our contiguous districts. Taft College also utilizes Out-Of-State Recruiting through a waiver granted by the CCCAA Board. The student-athlete population has gone from 82 in the fall of 2004 to the current figure of approximately 122. This includes not just actual intercollegiate participants, but also the redshirts in the
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 7 of 11 program. There was a significant jump in student population in 2006-2007 with the starting of the women's soccer program. Title IX regulations: See attached chart. Gender participation is an important consideration in the athletics. The goal is to increase opportunities for the underrepresented gender, which in this case is the females as compared to the overall student population. Over the past 8 years we have been trying to increase our female population. In 2005-06 the female participation was 46.43%. By the 2011-12 school year, the female participation had risen to 58.10%. However, the percent of female population dropped in 2012-13 to 52.34%. Based on overall student population in 2012-13, to be in compliance with participation proportionality, the percent of female population should be 61.30%. It will be necessary to increase female participation even further in order to be in compliance with Title IX regulations if using this prong for compliance. Over the last 8 years, the athletic teams average about 64.52% freshman and 35.48% sophomores. This is a normal occurrence in community college athletics. It may also give an indication of retention. Athletic Department 8-year Transfer Data: See attached chart. Over the past 8 years we have transferred 63.16% of our student-athletes who used 2 seasons of eligibility to 4-year institutions. Most significant is the 2010-11 school year in which 72.73% of our student-athletes went on to transfer to a 4- year institution. Athletic Department 9-year academic summary: See attached chart. Over the past 9 years, 1,772 student-athletes have passed through our doors. In order to be eligible, the student-athlete must be a full time student and maintain a 2.0 GPA. These students have averaged 14.7 units per semester with an average GPA of 2.66. 38.7% of these students have a GPA above a 3.0 and 15.1% of those student athletes have higher than a 3.5% GPA. We also study our student success in English and Math courses. We averaged 55.1% success with a "C" or better. In comprehension courses, our success rate is 76.3% and in the math courses, the success rate is 73.6%. These averages are up from what was reported in the 2012-13 Program Review. I might suggest that these students are completers. Course Level SLO Summary: Student athletes must enroll in an Intercollegiate Athletic course during their season of participation. Below are the course level SLO findings from those courses. PHED 1507 Intercollegiate Softball There is standard performance (100%) across the board that students are able to apply offensive and defensive strategies in game situations, differentiate between positive and negative sportsmanlike attitudes, perform essential skills and have developed team values. PHED 1509 Intercollegiate Volleyball There is 69% standard and 24% exemplary performance that students are able to perform essential skills. This may show one of the reasons why the volleyball team was successful on the court. There is 88% standard performance that student athletes were able to differentiate between positive and negative sportsmanlike attitudes during the season and had developed team values.
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 8 of 11 PHED 1510 Women's Intercollegiate Volleyball There is strong standard performance (88% to 100%) in all areas; performance of essential skills, applying offensive and defensive strategies in game situations, development of team values and differentiating between positive and negative sportsmanlike attitudes. PHED 1511 Men's Intercollegiate Soccer There was 83% standard performance in all areas with 17% in exemplary performance; performance of essential skills, applying offensive and defensive strategies in game situations, development of team values and differentiating between positive and negative sportsmanlike attitudes. This may also have a direct relationship to the success of this team. PHED 1514 Intercollegiate Baseball Over a two year period of time, there was 58% standard performance and a 42% exemplary performance in demonstrating essential skills. PHED 2509 Intercollegiate Volleyball There is standard performance (100%) in performance of essential skills, applying offensive and defensive strategies in game situations, differentiating between positive and negative sportsmanlike attitudes and the development of team values. This is the sophomore level course and the expectation is much higher. PHED 2510 Women's Intercollegiate Soccer There is 83% standard performance in the following areas; performance of essential skills, application of offensive and defensive strategies in game situations, differentiation between positive and negative sportsmanlike attitudes and the development of team values. PHED 2511 Intercollegiate Soccer There is 100% standard performance in the following areas; performance of essential skills, application of offensive and defensive strategies in game situations, differentiation between positive and negative sportsmanlike attitudes and the development of team values. This is a sophomore level class so the expectation is higher. This may also have a direct relationship to the success of this team. PHED 2514 Intercollegiate Baseball There is a 57% exemplary performance and a 43% of standard performance is the area of essential skills. Program Level SLO Summary: Program Level SLOs will be developed for Athletics. Summary and Implications of Major Findings: Past: In the past several years, Athletics has been driven by the budget. It has limited what we do and how we do it. However, despite the budget crisis, we have been able to maintain our strong athletic
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 9 of 11 tradition with voluntarily reducing assistant coaches, reducing competition, limiting travel and using fundraised dollars. The student population in Athletics has continued to increase. The salaries continue to increase along with official's fees, travel and equipment costs. In order to continue to meet program needs, the department has done a number of things. First of all, the department took a 15% reduction in competition dates, reducing the cost of travel and officials through the Spring of 2016. Secondly, we are increasing the use of fundraised dollars. This is quite difficult in a small community and a weak economy. Here is an example of how much has been supplemented by the work of the coaching staff through fundraising: Fall 08/Spring 09 - $39,479 Fall 09/Spring 10 - $40,463 Fall 10/Spring 11 - $33,454 Fall 11/Spring 12 - $39,411 Fall 12/Spring 13 - $39,753 In an effort to generate more funds, we are running snack bars at our athletic events. We have found that they are not very lucrative, but they do create a sporting atmosphere for the events. We have also received approval from the Board of Trustees to change our long time traditional of not charging for attendance at athletic events. The pricing is quite reasonable and will be tested for a year. If after that point we feel the prices are too high or too low, we can make adjustments. We have felt very fortunate that we have been asked to only submit flat budgets during the budget crisis years. We have witnessed many more cuts on other campuses. The downside to flat budgets is that salaries and benefits continue to rise and fixed costs that are required to maintain a program remain in the budget. In the end, we are left with very little in our operating budget. Five years ago, 2007-08, salaries and benefits represented 76% of the budget. They now represent 90% of the athletic budget. As those costs continued to rise, our operating budget has been cut over this same period of time by 60.56%, which essentially is about $83,000 in cuts over this period of time. In addition to these cuts, the Athletic Department is so closely tied to the Health and Physical Education Department that the reduction in class sections affected our department's staff and students. Present: It is recognized that the Athletics program is strictly district funded. As a result, we are the first program to be hit during a budget crisis. We have been able to maintain very strong programs while recognizing that the funding at the community colleges is very cyclical and at some point would improve. It is hoped that the improvement in the state budget will allow for reinstatement of the athletic budget allocations. The Athletic Department continually studies the viability of our programs and how we affect our conference schools. The Central Valley Conference has a wide range of participation, with Fresno City College supporting 19 sports and Columbia College supporting 2. On average, the schools in our conference have at least 9 sports per school. Taft College offers 6 sports, 2 men's and 4 women's. Title IX and Gender Equity studies are also conducted on an annual basis. We have maintained compliance by providing opportunities for the underrepresented sex by starting up the women's soccer
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 10 of 11 program in 2006. These added opportunities' have kept Taft College in compliance for 5 years, ending 2011-12 school year. The discussion of repeatability has created issues for athletics. Since there was an elimination of repeatability, with the exception of Intercollegiate Athletics, it gives a strong impression that there is not an attack on athletics, but rather on an excess of activity courses. It is viewed a "gift." There was a tremendous amount of work done to revise the Course Outlines of Record to reflect this change. Future: With the economy improving there will soon be an opportunity for growth. We are currently seeing additional classes being offered and optimism on our campus. The Athletic Department would like to suggest growth in our department as the college strategically plans its future. These plans need to be carefully discussed and coordinated through the Governance Council since growth in Athletics will take careful coordination with other areas on campus. There is a hope that athletics will get an opportunity to use vacated dorm rooms for possible student-athletes along with the other anticipated students. There is also a need to coordinate a request for a Health/Physical Education/Coach position with the Office of Instruction and the Health/Physical Education department. The most successful programs are those with full time faculty members. There are many legitimate reasons to plan for growth on the campus through the Athletic Department. These are full time students (FTES) who are working in learning communities (Teams), with proven high academics that are completing degrees and certificates within the 2-year period of time (Eligibility). Based on the facilities available and gender equity issues, the current recommendation would be men's and women's golf, men's basketball, and/or sand volleyball. The future will also be dependent upon funding. It is requested that when there is an increase in general funds to Taft College, that budgets be gradually reinstated to the Athletic Department. Currently there is no supplies budget, travel has been reduced and we would like to ensure that there is continued funding for full coaching staffs. There is a need for upgrades in facilities and athletic training equipment. As you look around our campus, there have been upgrades everywhere except for athletics. In fact, there has been a continual decrease in funding; however, we have continued to find a way to maintain the high quality of service to our student-athletes. At some point, there is every hope that our campus recognizes the service that the Athletic Department brings to this campus. There is a need to celebrate these successes. It is recommended that we begin a Fall and Spring Awards Banquet for our student athletes and that we begin a Taft College Hall of Fame. Although this is representative of the Athletic Department, there is a need to celebrate our Administration, Faculty and Staff that have served Taft College since its inception. Therefore, the proposal is to form a Taft College Hall of Fame Committee and begin celebrating all of our successes.
Annual Program Review Report 2013-2014 Page 11 of 11 List of Annual Program Goal Statements: 1. Reinstatement of reduced funding. 2. Addition of a new sport. 3. Do a comparison of our student/athletes academic progress with the overall student population using the Cal-PASS data system. 4. Compare retention rates of our student/athletes to the overall student population. 5. Compare graduation rates of our student/athletes to the overall student population. 6. Complete program SLOs. 7. Hiring of a Sports Information Officer. 8. Evaluate the transportation needs of the department because of the increase with the Non Traditional Season and the aging fleet. 9. Replacement position for head coach due to coaching retirement. 10. Develop and print recruiting brochures. Work with the Health/Kinesiology department to develop brochures to serve both departments. 11. Update the facilities in the gym 12. Game day upgrades: New mat to cover flooring Sound System for gym Sound System for both fields Replacement of old chairs Replacement of old tables 13. Athletic training equipment 14. Taft College Hall of Fame 15. Fall and Spring Awards Banquet for Student Athletes