THE RISE AND FALL OF A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM Bobby R Nowlin Northwestern State University of Louisiana

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THE RISE AND FALL OF A COLLABORATIVE
PROGRAMBobby R NowlinNorthwestern State
University of Louisiana
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Overview

• NSU developed program with international company
• Great start with fanfare
• Changes in NSU program
• Changes in company management
• Program still operating
• With reduced numbers
• Present what happened and can it be fixed

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The Goal

• Provide Training Opportunities for Continuous
  Development and Growth

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Students

• Non-traditional
• Out of high school several years
• Must have GRE or high school diploma
• Family
• May have tried college before
• Work full time job

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The University

• Would offer classes
• at night
• on week-ends
• Monday-Thursday
• VIA internet
• at the plant
• Would establish early registration
• No fee payments at registration
• Present certificates of achievement

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The Company

• Will pay for school up to bachelor degree
• Will work with schedule
• Give pay raises for progress
• Give opportunities for promotion
• Give space for classes at plant
• Employees
• Non-employees

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The Rise

• Started Fall 2000
• 27 enrolled
• Students excited about degree possibilities
• Started Spring 2001
• 35 enrolled
• Started Summer 2001
• 13 enrolled
• 92 completed 2000/2001 school year

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The Fall

• Year 3 shows start of decline
• Year 5 shows 25 with 3 resignations
• Year 6 appears to be similar to year 5

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The University

• Degree change from IT to IET
• Pre-requisites
• ABET accreditation requirements
• University did not do early registration
• Internet courses fell short of expectations
• Night and weekend courses lack support

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The Company

• Changed plant and HR management
• Support was changed to maintenance personnel only
• Classes could no longer be taught at plant
• Pay raises were not supported
• Must attend classes during off time

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Failed Company Support

• No pre-training of faculty
• Minimum CO-OP (field experience)
• No technical consultation and troubleshooting
• No guest lectures

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The Employee

• Thought the degree would be easy
• The company would give them time off
• The university and company would meet program
  requirements
• The Employees did their part

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The Rise?

• NSU
• Make pre-requisites known
• Honor early registration
• Make classes available according to work
  schedules

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• The Company
• Support the program and list that support
• Pay raises
• promotions
• time to attend
• Inform the employees of requirements
• Evaluate courses requirements

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Conclusion

• The program started great, until changes
• NSU and The Company let the employees/students
  down
• Program is still working, primarily for degrees
• We hope that NSU and The Company can revive the
  program