Miss Professor

Discussion Board #8 - White Paper Proposal For this Discussion Board assignment, we’ll begin to plan our final White Paper assignment (see Blackboard “Major Assignment” tab). In that vein, we’ll each compose a White Paper proposal.  This should outline your topic, subject, major issues/concerns, call-to-action/solution (if appropriate). This week’s lecture notes cover the White Paper even further (additional information is available within the the White Paper assignment sheet itself. Also, I’ve pasted a few real-world White Paper proposals below.  The White Paper proposal will be due on Sunday, 12/4, by 11:59 p.m. White Paper Proposal Examples:  #1: Urban Communication is the study of communication within an urban context. The built environment is rich with information and physical architectures that manifest unique social situations. From traffic patterns to sidewalks, to mobile computing and surveillance technologies, the issues presented by the rapidly changing communication context constructed through urban environments are vast and varied. The Urban Communication Foundation (UCF) has been a leader in promoting scholarship in this general area. The Foundation has funded dozens of research projects and acknowledged dozens of scholars that have advanced the field of study. We now seek to extend this influence by focusing in on particular issues or areas of research. As such, will be soliciting public research reports on issues that have a direct bearing on public policy and/or the everyday life for people within cities. These reports should be between 8000-10000 words in length and present original research on the topic. The end product should aim to have some influence on policy makers, community leaders and scholars and contribute to basic research and practical solutions. The author(s) of the top rated proposal will receive a stipend of $10,000. The money can go to individuals or institutions to provide various forms of research support. #2.  This new, campus-wide, school would focus the UA’s already-formidable strengths in the natural and social sciences directly related to research, teaching and outreach in the areas of climate, water, energy, sustainability and environmental sciences (including human and ecological impacts).  These encompass the UA’s Strategic Plan priority in “Climate, Environmental, Water and Energy Sustainability”.  We envisage departments, institutes and other units from several colleges being aligned with the school, with three kinds of membership.   #3.  Date: October 13, 2008  Re: White Paper Proposal  From: The University Academic Advising Council  Over the past decade, the University of Arizona has undergone a transformation of its academic advising system that has become a model for universities elsewhere in the nation.  This system was set in place following a two-year study conducted by the Academic  Advising Task Force (AATF).  The reform was funded with a continuing annual revenue stream made possible by a student tuition increase for this specific purpose, starting six years ago, and based upon an agreement between the University of Arizona undergraduate students and President Likins in a commitment made before the Arizona Board of Regents.  The academic advising system is based within each of the colleges.  A University body consisting of one representative from each  college, called the Undergraduate Academic Advising Council (UAAC), along with the Advising Resource Center (ARC), was created to guide and coordinate the new advising system.  One core element of the new system was the establishment of the ratio between students and professional advisors (generally 400-to-1) within each college.  The ratio was determined by reference to national academic advising standards and in-depth time studies of our academic advisors.  In the spring of 2008, an extensive campus-wide Academic Advising Program  Review (AAPR) was conducted under the auspices of the Provost's Office.  External reviewers from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) praised the improvements in student advising services that have occurred over the past six years.  As part of the present transformation process to identify cost savings at the University, proposals may come forward that would restructure the current academic advising system or specific actions may take place that would have the effect of undercutting the established ratios between students and professional academic advisors.  For example, one proposal that has been mentioned is returning to a faculty-based academic advising  model.  The UA, like many other institutions of higher education, once had a system where faculty did the majority of academic advising.  There is a significant difference between academic advising and student mentoring.  Faculty are engaged in and experts at student mentoring.  With the exception of a few units, faculty members are not as effective as professional academic advisors in performing the multiplicity of functions required to guide students smoothly toward graduation.  That is why the academic advising system was reorganized at the University six years ago.  Poor academic advising prior to the reorganization had caused serious problems for students and considerable concern from the Board of Regents.  Returning to a faculty-based advising model is not in the best interests of the institution whether from the standpoint of student retention, student satisfaction,  or more timely graduation rates. At a recent town hall meeting, President Shelton confirmed the primary importance that students give to quality academic advising in their success both academically and in the many aspects of student life that  academic advising reaches.  We believe that the present advising system is responsible for this success.  We respectfully request that any proposal that could lead to the restructuring of the present academic  advising system and practices, or specific actions th at would alter the ratio in colleges between students  and academic advisors, first come before the UAAC fo r its evaluation prior to the reaching of any final  decisions.  Keeping an effective academic advising system int act and involved in planning is particularly vital  during a time of transformation.  The maintenance of  quality academic advising is essential to minimize and  resolve the myriad problems students will necessarily  encounter as whole colleges, departments, units, and  degree programs change when they consolidate and transform.

Discussion Board #9: White Paper Background/Problems: For Discussion Board #8, you crafted a White Paper proposal. For this DB (#9), you’ll take the project a step further and consider your White Paper’s background and problems. Essentially, this section is a justification/explanation of the White Paper project. It equates to the academic essays’s thesis statement/controlling purpose.  A white paper needs to provide readers with general background information of a particular issue in order to help them make their decision based on the understanding of facts. Show them enough evidence that you are an expert on the subject. Point out problems from your readers' perspective. Make sure that you do not digress from the main subject; do not pose problems for which you cannot provide solutions. White papers lead with challenges faced by individual readers. By issuing the problems your reader potentially faces, as well as the implications for not solving/dealing with them, you set up an opportunity to reaffirm the reader’s concerns and reveal new issues that may not have been initially considered. The goal of discussing problems with your reader is to build affinity.  Submit this section (Background/Problems) by Sunday, 12/11, at 11:59 p.m. You can use this section in the ultimate final draft you submit as part of the White Paper Assignment.  40 points