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Caring Campus

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Caring Campus Information for SAC employees is available at our Lunch & Learn workshops. 

Need more info about campus services? Contact the Caring Campus support group at sac-ccsupport@alamo.edu.

  • Learn About Caring Campus

    The Caring Campus Initiative, developed by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC) is designed to create a college environment that increases students’ sense of connectedness and belonging and, in turn, completion of each student’s education goals.

    The Caring Campus Initiative engages SAC employees to create a Caring Campus that ensures they are deeply involved in student success initiatives. It is particularly important for students from historically underserved populations, students less familiar with college, non-majority students, students from low-income households, and first-generation students to feel welcome and that they belong in college.

    • Maintain information on webpages, directories, email signatures, etc. 
    • Take time to fully understand the student’s need/concern and ensure that it has been addressed.
    • Commit to a standard and reasonable response time for voice mails, emails, and texts. 
    • Practice the 10-foot rule, when you see a student who needs help, offer assistance and take them where they need to go.
    • Understand what campus and community resources are available, so that you make accurate referrals.
    • Regularly use the student’s name-in-use.
    • Clearly communicate about the course.
    • Create moments that matter.
    • Provide frequent and meaningful assessments.
    • Practice situational fairness.

  • San Antonio College is offering new faculty and staff members a professional development opportunity training you in the use and implementation of Caring Campus behaviors to ensure that students feel a sense of belonging.

    Every Spring and Fall semester, the Institute of Evidenced Based Change offers the Caring Campus Academy, a course with four or five virtual sessions. The academy will offer two tracks: one specifically for faculty and another specifically for staff.

    The purpose of these sessions is to introduce you to Caring Campus behavioral commitments, provide you with tools and ideas for implementing and sustaining the commitments, and build a community of faculty and staff from Caring Campus colleges across the country.

    For faculty, there are four sessions lasting 90 minutes each. For staff, there are five sessions lasting 60 minutes each. The institute does expect participants to attend all sessions because an important part of each session is interaction among participants, enabling the development of relationships with colleagues from other colleges and learning from one another. The sessions will be recorded so they are available for later review by participants.

    Although this academy is geared towards new employees, all SAC employees are welcome to participate. The expectation after completing the academy is every new faculty and staff member will engage with Caring Campus in their first year of employment.

    If you are not a new hire, we would ask you to become a part of the current committee or participate in Caring Campus events. The goal is to ensure all employees are ready to engage in the Caring Campus behavioral commitments within one semester. If you are interested in joining the next cohort of academy participants, please contact Victoria Moe, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at vmoe@alamo.edu.

    *Please note, there is a cost associated with this academy, due to funding not all participants may be able to attend.

  • Want to get involved? Join the Caring Campus Committee as an officer or member and play a vital role in enhancing the established commitments, embedding the commitments to the organizational culture, and gain new insights, skills, and competencies. The committee is responsible for ensuring the initiative has an active and diverse membership, that all members are consulted on important decisions, and a plan is created for the future of Caring Campus that aligns with our college strategic plan.

    In coordination with the Caring Campus Liaison Victoria Moe, members will:
    1. Establish regular meetings to facilitate better communication.
    2. Use apps such as Doodle, GCal and Google Drive to schedule a suitable meeting time.
    3. Set and stick to an agenda (compiled from submissions from committee members and chairperson).
    4. Ensure minutes and attendance are taken.
    5. Ensure respect for others' opinions and maintain an open atmosphere.
    6. Clearly identify actions to be taken following the meeting.
    7. Share minutes and actions to be taken with attendees promptly.

    The Caring Campus Committee meets the last Friday of every month. If you would like to join the committee or would like to receive additional information please contact Victoria Moe, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at vmoe@alamo.edu