2020-21 Annual Report – Donaghey Student Center

Mission

The Donaghey Student Center (DSC) contributes to the intellect of students by working with the colleges to present events, conferences, and training that aligns with their academic mission of instruction.

Development​: The DSC establishes a climate that encourages personal wellness and nurtures individuals to be positive contributors to society.

Se​rvice:​ The DSC supports the mission of the university by providing a diverse facility, programs, and services to enhance the institution’s educational environment and improve the quality of college life.

Community:​ The DSC is a place of convergence between the campus community and the community of Little Rock and surrounding areas.

Summary Narrative

1) Enhance recruitment and retention efforts to increase enrollment

The popular “Don’t Gain A Pound” Weight Maintenance Program was offered during the winter holiday period from December 24, 2020 to February 14, 2021 in an online format. Providing the program virtually for the first time  allowed greater flexibility for the participants. It was the first time that distance-learners were able to participate, increasing their engagement with the university. Over 200 people registered for the program, which was the largest enrollment for the program since its inception in 2013, and almost four times the amount of the prior highest registration year. Participants expressed their appreciation for the service as it provided something positive to do during the holidays and useful information, and promoted mindfulness and positive actions. A large percentage of the registrants were first time participants in Campus Recreation programming.

The first “Step Into Spring” Step Challenge was offered in spring 2021, with participants using the technology of their choice to gradually reach the modest goal of 4,400 steps per day.  There was an excellent response for registration. The participants reported their steps via Google Forms, using a link sent to them along with wellness information each week.

Virtual fitness classes were offered and a new Zumba instructor was hired. These services increased the style of fitness formats offered to the university constituency and resulted in a new class offering- Zumba Toning.

A recent graduate of UA Little Rock is currently training to become a new fitness instructor and plans on teaching in the upcoming fall semester after receiving certification.

A virtual presentation titled Am I Fit? Finding My Physical Routine For The Semester was offered in both the fall and spring semesters for the Student Success Workshop Series (SSWS) .

Informational sessions about Campus Recreational programming and healthy lifestyle elements (including fitness and nutrition) were provided to students enrolled in PEAW 1300 and students enrolled in the federally-funded TRiO program.

A similar program was provided in the summer to students interested in attending the Bowen School of Law.

2) Strengthen student-friendly operations and customer service

Because customer service includes providing a safe environment, “normal” DSC operations were adapted to CDC guidelines. Social distancing was mandatory in all food service and lounge areas. The cardio and strength training areas of the fitness center were also rearranged to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

The DSC environmental staff were in charge of combating the spread of Covid-19. They put in floor spacing signs and plexiglass throughout the building as needed. They were in charge of the daily cleaning, which included wipedowns of high traffic areas, spraying and sanitizing both food service and weight areas, as well as the daily and nightly fogging of all retail areas and conference rooms.

The fitness center staff monitored temperature checks of every community member and student that entered the facility as directed by CDC guidelines.

3) Improve diversity and inclusion efforts to provide a safe and inclusive environment for students

The DSC has always taken pride in hiring a diverse staff. This year there were several students from all walks of life, which include citizens from the following countries: Peru, India, Brazil, Bosnia, Honduras, Bangladesh, and Russia.

4) Align financial and human resources to operate more effectively and efficiently

The DSC and Counseling Services worked together several times this year. The DSC supported the Counseling Services division by providing t-shirts for “March Movement Mondays,” a program where Health Services staff and their current and prospective clients walked the track every Monday in March. The Health Services division then sponsored a portion of the purchase of t-shirts and provided prizes from their promotional items stockpile for “Step Into Spring.”

5) Promote student development, engagement, and leadership

The DSC developed and conducted the first “Consultation Day Study Break” event. Student staff members facilitated lunchtime interest tables to gather information about activities that other students might enjoy. The event was broken into two time periods, noon to 3pm and 5pm to 7pm. Students were encouraged to drop by throughout the day and participate in different games and events. The daytime event was held outside in the DSC and library malls, and included Disc Golf Toss, Baggo, 4-Square, and Hopscotch. The evening activities included the video games Mario Kart and Smash Bros in the Ledbetter Meeting Rooms, H.O.R.S.E. and Knockout on the basketball courts, and Table Tennis in the racquetball courts. Among Us (a phone application video game) was also available for virtual students so that they could participate as well.

6) Other

The DSC fitness center and the University District partnered to host a health fair for the surrounding community. There were over 150 participants that were evaluated for blood pressure, body mass index, and weight and height. Nutritional information was available, as well.

The DSC also partnered with eStem to host four soccer games at the Coleman Sports Recreational Complex.


At a Glance

  • Several vaccine clinics were hosted for the campus in the Ledbetter conference rooms in the DSC.
  • The Arkansas State Coding Competition was hosted at the DSC.
  • Cameras, mics, laser projectors, and new sound equipment were installed in the Ledbetter conference rooms to be able to host zoom meetings.
  • The DSC had 16,277 check-ins from August 24, 2020 to May 30, 2021.
    • That is an overall average of 68 per day.
    • Visits to the DSC during weekdays averaged between 75 – 85 per day.
    • Visits on Saturday and Sundays averaged around 25 to 30 per day.
    • Data also showed there were about 4 check-ins during the last 2 hours of every day.
  • Fitwell had over 500 contacts over the year that participated in online fitness classes.
  • Over 150 students participated in dual and individual intramural sports that consisted of badminton, tennis, eSports gaming, sports trivia, and table tennis.
  • The DSC hosted two UA Little Rock NCAA women’s swim meets along with four high school swim meets and one U.S. Masters Swimming men’s swim meet.
  • Aquatics also hosted the first-ever flight simulator for pilots to train on water rescues.
  • Campus Recreation created and shared a video for online orientation.


Assessment 1

Type of assessment (learning outcome or operational)

Operational

Goal

To assess the customer service of each department under the Division of Student Affairs.

Activity or experience being assessed

The customer service experience of the campus community.

Assessment artifacts

Survey via QR Code and web address found on easily accessible posters posted within Student Affairs

The survey asked the following questions, with an option to leave additional feedback:

I’m satisfied with how the employee handled my inquiry.
This employee resolved my issue.
This person was timely in resolving my issue.
This person communicated in a clear manner.
This person was professional and courteous.
This person made me feel valued.

Time period assessment was done

FY 2021

Results

Despite having posters everywhere and adding the link to the survey in all Student Affairs email signature lines, there were no responses to the survey.

Continuous improvement process

The Division of Student Affairs will continue to develop ways to elicit the campus community’s feedback to better assess staff responsiveness, professionalism, and competency.


Assessment 2

Type of assessment (learning outcome or operational)

Operational

Goal

To improve and streamline our work order processes for the DSC.

Activity or experience being assessed

To determine if people will report issues or concerns throughout the DSC using a QR code that can be read by a phone and sent directly to a manager’s email.

Assessment artifacts

Survey

Time period assessment was done

N/A

Results

With so many people still working from home, conferences staying virtual, and fewer students using the facility, this assessment was not valid.

Continuous improvement process

N/A

When changes were made in FY21

N/A

Continuous improvement process

N/A

When changes will be made in FY22

N/A

Stakeholder involvement / Communication plan

The DSC looks forward to being able to offer this technology to students and community members in the future.


Assessment 3

Type of assessment (learning outcome or operational)

Operational

Goal

To help students stay connected by virtual programming and social media.

Activity or experience being assessed

Determine if creating online programming opportunities benefited students’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Assessment artifacts

Survey

Time period assessment was done

Academic Year 2021

Results

  • 73% started participating in online programs in August.
  • 64% found that they felt healthier during the programs.
  • 93% felt the variety of programs and ability to watch them on YouTube after the live stream was great.
  • Offering online programs serves a small population that may have been missing out on services.

Continuous improvement process

The pictures and sound needed to be enhanced. The lighting was too dark on some recordings.

When changes were made in FY21

The pictures and sound needed to be enhanced. The lighting was too dark on some recordings. New headsets, microphones, and a computer were purchased to help with the sound issues. A light ring was also purchased to help with the lighting issues we were having during the recording.

Continuous improvement process

Look at strengthening the wifi in our activity rooms. Continue to offer online classes for those individuals that can’t make it to classes in the future.

When changes will be made in FY22

We will get with IT Services to see how we can improve the wifi in our activity rooms so we can continue to offer some programs online in the fall.

Stakeholder involvement / Communication plan

Reports were shared with the director of the DSC along with recommendations for improvements. The director will review current processes and make recommendations for improvement as well for the future.


Priorities for Next Year

  • Provide professional development for staff. Re-implement General Orientation Session for all DSC hourly employees (schedule date, plan to close DSC at 5:00, require all hourly employees to attend). Provide once a month in-house customer service training with staff and managers. Develop a survey to be administered at the end of each semester.
  • To improve and streamline the work order processes for the DSC, create and post QR code throughout the building to be scanned by students, staff, and visitors. Use reports to compare the effectiveness with a goal of improving the DSC facilities. Create a customer satisfaction survey to be administered.
  • Improve Conference Services customer service. Contact other universities and colleges for examples of surveys they have administered. The DSC will then create its own survey to administer to its users.