Requirement Number 2.9: The institution, through ownership or formal arrangements or agreements, provides and supports student and faculty access and user privileges to adequate library collections as well as to other learning/information resources consistent with the degrees offered. These collections and resources are sufficient to support all its educational, research, and public service programs.

Full Compliance

Central to Georgia Southern University’s mission is its strong commitment to be a “university devoted to academic distinction in teaching, scholarship, and service.”¹ The University seeks to extend the learning environment not only beyond the classroom, but also beyond campus borders reaching areas throughout southeast Georgia, and furthermore beyond a student’s formal education to optimize life-long learning. Georgia Southern sets high expectations for its faculty as teacher-scholars, but also promotes a student-centered environment enhanced by technology and transcultural experiences. To enable its faculty, students, and staff to reach these lofty goals, the University provides through ownership or formal arrangements or agreements and supports student and faculty access to library and other learning and information resources that are consistent with the degrees offered at the University. Furthermore, these collections and resources are sufficient to support all its educational, research, and public service programs.

Henderson Library provides students and faculty broad access to is resources. The library offers extensive collections of academic books and periodicals, government publications, special book and manuscript collections as well as links to networked information resources in various electronic formats. Centrally located on campus, the Zach S. Henderson Library is open 143 hours per week (1 st and 2 nd floors) and 113 hours per week (3 rd and 4 th floors) during the fall and spring semesters, and 105.5 hours per week (all floors) during summer session. This extensive access to the library’s resources is further supplemented through the availability of electronic access. Online resources are available to faculty, students, and staff 24/7 through the library’s web site both from on campus, remote campus sites (through IP—Internet Protocol recognition), and virtually any off campus location that provides access to the Internet (through GALILEO).

GALILEO (GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online), an initiative of the Board of Regents of the University of Georgia, is essentially an Internet-based virtual library, providing access to a plethora of information resources including secured access to licensed products. Participating institutions have access to over 100 databases indexing thousands of periodicals and scholarly journals—over 5,000 of which appear in full-text. Other resources include encyclopedias, business directories, government documents, and an online tutorial providing instruction in using the system. Currently, over 2,000 educational institutions in Georgia participate in GALILEO, including University System of Georgia institutions, K-12 schools, public libraries, adult technical institutes and colleges, and a group of private academic colleges and universities. No matter where a student lives, a library nearby provides access to GALILEO, affording Georgia Southern students extensive access to library and learning resources without having to visit campus. This technology heightens Georgia Southern’s ability to extend its educational programs to reach prospective students in the southeast region of Georgia through online degree programs, distance learning, external degree programs, as well as consortial programs. Moreover, the technology enhances student learning outcomes by providing faculty and students with ready access to the resources and training necessary to effectively utilize these resources to supplement their in-class learning and to promote life-long learning habits.

Henderson Library supports off campus learning programs through its participation in the Interlibrary Loan ( ILL) program as well as its rapid document delivery service. Students enrolling in classes at distant sites may request materials from the University library. The library will locate the materials (regardless of what library may “own” it) and have it delivered to the student free of charge. There is no limit on the number of items a student may order and postage-paid return labels are included with any books sent for their return. Request for ILL or document delivery will be processed within two days, but it may take longer to receive items through ILL (see Distance Learning Services for Students and Faculty).

The building housing the University’s library was initially constructed in 1975 and has 109,515 net square feet. Currently, it is undergoing a major expansion and renovation to add an atrium area, an automated retrieval facility, and space for the Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET). According to the program design, this addition will add 65,154 net square feet, excluding the automated retrieval facility that will occupy another 4,956 square feet. (See building plans.)

Services in Henderson Library, provided or supervised by professional librarians, include traditional reference and help desk assistance in computer lab areas, interlibrary loan, print reserves, and electronic services designed to facilitate locating and obtaining needed resources online. Survey results from the 2001 American College Testing Service Student Opinion Survey listed impressive scores for Henderson Library. Information services received a higher ranking than any other unit on campus—an increase of 13% in the satisfaction rating over the library’s 1994 results and favorably comparing to libraries nationwide. Henderson Library received a satisfaction rating of 93% compared to a national average of 75%, and a dissatisfaction rating of 1% compared to a national average of 10%. Collection and Resource Services (CRS), another unit of the library, operates to ensure that University maintains collections and documents appropriate to its degree programs. Each academic department selects a departmental library representative to work with CRS so that books that support University curricula are received upon their publication through the approval plan program. The representative also funnels requests for materials to be ordered and added to the library’s collection from faculty to CRS.

Through the Distance Learning Center, the University provides additional services and learning/information resources that enhance student and faculty access as well as support the University’s educational, research, and public service programs. Four primary illustrations— WebCT, GSAMS, IP Videoconference, and Satellite Downlink—are administered through this Center. WebCT is a course management system that allows teaching and learning to occur online. First introduced at Georgia Southern in 1998, WebCT now forms the foundation of all online courses. Additionally, it is used in GSAMS (Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical Systems) videoconferencing courses to reinforce course materials and supplement in-class instruction. Non-credit courses such as the Georgia history exam study course and math placement exam practice test also employ this technology. As of the Fall 2004 semester, there are 1,388 courses on the WebCT dedicated server with approximately 300 faculty accounts and almost 16,000 users (student accounts) [source: Distance Learning Center]. As an Internet based application, any student or faculty member with access to the Internet can login and use WebCT. WebCT is a secure system that relies on username/password authorization for entry. This protects student records, grades, and general class work. WebCT includes a variety of support services for both students and faculty. Faculty services include course consultation, video/audio streaming, student orientation, course development, and instructional design tips which are provided through a new technology lab at the Center. There is also an online tutorial. Students likewise have access to an online tutorial.

The Distance Learning Center also supports GSAMS. The purpose behind these videoconferencing courses is to offer credit classes to students who are separated from campus either by distance or time. GSAMS provides live two-way interactive video that transmits a course throughout the state to regional centers, high schools, and other universities. As mentioned above, GSAMS uses WebCT as the delivery vehicle, but the Center provides administrative, hardware and software support in additional to training and faculty consultation for migrating to each format. Georgia Southern has nine classrooms connected to the GSAMS. The Distance Learning Center also employs Internet Protocol (IP) Videoconferencing which uses the same equipment as GSAMS, but transmits via the Internet rather than the GSAMS network. The benefit of this technology includes easy access from sites around the world that can be achieved using a webcam and a computer. A third technology utilized by the Center is Satellite downlink—a non-interactive videoconferencing technology. Satellite is a one-way feed in which participants view the transmission but have no live interaction.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) houses other learning and information resources that support Georgia Southern’s mission. The CET functions to introduce faculty to and train them in innovative learning technologies. Here faculty meet and discuss, in a variety of formats, the craft of teaching. The Center is a place where faculty at all levels and from all disciplines can find others who are willing to share their experiences about what works and what does not work in helping students learn. The Center houses the Faculty Technology Development Lab, a modern computing facility designed to provide ongoing training for faculty who wish to integrate new instructional methodologies and emerging technologies into their teaching. Additionally, the Center sponsors a variety of workshops that offer hands-on instruction in and short demonstration sessions of instructional tools. In conjunction with Information Technology Services, the Center provides training on accessing the BANNER data warehouse for student advisement and for accessing student and course records. Similarly, the Center also offers training in WebCT. The Center is a vital resource on campus that furthers the University’s mission to be an institution dedicated to academic distinction in teaching as well as scholarship and service.

As a member institution of the University System of Georgia (a founding MERLOT System Partner), Georgia Southern University participates in MERLOT (Multimedia Education Resource for Learning and Online Teaching). MERLOT is a community of educators dedicated to the pursuit of scholarship and enrichment of learning through the sharing and distribution of high quality, peer-reviewed digital content. MERLOT’s mission, closely aligned to Georgia Southern’s, is to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning by expanding the quantity and quality of peer-reviewed online learning materials that can be incorporated into faculty designed courses. Central to its mission is the concept of sharing resources to broaden the intellectual capital of the academic enterprise.

The Academic Success Center offers critical intervention services to students which enable them to succeed academically in the University’s demanding courses. The center promotes equal educational opportunities for all students admitted to the University; facilitates the development in students of skills, strategies, and attitudes essential to the attainment of academic, career, and life goals; and favorably impacts student retention. The Center achieves these objectives through sponsoring student workshops (e.g., What’s Important, Note Taking, Tips for Studying, Time Management, and Test Anxiety among others); tutoring, testing, offering learning support activities (remedial instruction), and organizing auxiliary instruction classes (led by student peers who have been successful in historically difficult classes and who share strategies for success with other students).

Another facility that operates to support the University’s mission of promoting student success as well as providing equal access is the Student Disability Resource Center. This Center serves qualified students with disabilities by assisting them with reasonable academic accommodations and coordinating appropriate services based on students’ individual needs. The Center enables many students who might not otherwise have access to higher education to not only participate in Georgia Southern University’s offerings but to succeed as well.

The Multicultural Student Center addresses the University’s commitment to provide a student-centered environment that promotes cultural awareness, understanding, and a sense of belonging; and fosters the educational and developmental opportunities of all students regardless of their ethnic background or national origin. The department is designed to educate and celebrate the cultural diversity of students, staff, and the community of Georgia Southern through a series of support services, programs, activities, and student organizations. Additionally, the Multicultural Student Center promotes academic, cultural, and social responsibility among all students and educates the campus community about issues of multiculturalism, inclusion, and pluralism . These objectives are achieved through numerous programs like Women’s Awareness Week, Hispanic Heritage Day, Black Awareness Month, Religious Awareness Week, and National Coming Out Day.

Similarly, Student media enhances both the student-centered campus environment as well as provides students with learning opportunities outside the classroom through involvement in publications, interactive media, and broadcast activities that together provide a timely forum through which information and entertainment of general interest to its public is disseminated and exchanged. This office oversees the production of The George-Ann (a student newspaper published three times a week), Miscellany ( a semi-annual magazine of the arts), and The Southern Reflector (a general interest “yearbook magazine”) as well as the administration of a campus radio station. In addition, two student groups—Photography, Art, Graphics, Electronic Systems (PAGES) and Advertising/Distribution Services (ADS)—provide students with additional learning opportunities relating to the technical and business support for print-based media.

To respond to the University’s goal of enhancing the quality of life in the region through collaborative relationships that support education and include, among others, cultural experiences, the University operates an on campus museum facility. The Georgia Southern Museum offers a variety of educational programs designed to appeal to children, adults, families, and teachers, including interactive, hands-on programs for K-12 school groups. Correlated to the Georgia Performance Standards, these programs are free and are accompanied by teacher’s guides that suggest related in-class activities. Project SENSE (Science Education Network for the Southeast)—a Museum outreach program—provides training to area science teachers and access to comprehensive science activity kits for the classroom. The philosophy behind Project SENSE is to engage students as active learners in “hands-on, minds-on science” that demands students reflect, discuss, and make sense of their learning. The Museum also sponsors Eagle Science Camp, a resident, summer workshop program for talented middle school students. This program provides young learners with laboratory opportunities to explore biology, physics, chemistry, computers, mathematics, and geology.

To ensure that faculty and students have ready access to needed technology and information resources, Georgia Southern maintains several general and special purpose computer labs that house approximately 1,400 computers. The largest general purpose labs are located in the Henderson Library, the Newton Building, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Information Technology. These labs are staffed and maintained by Information Technology Services. A number of departments also maintain their own computer labs.