INTRODUCTION

Mott Community College serves students in the Greater Flint/Genesee County area at two campuses and several extension sites. Students in the nearby county of Lapeer are accommodated at MCC's satellite extension center located at the old Oakdale Regional Center facility in the city of Lapeer. Extension Centers offer credit classes at Genesee Area Skill Center, and the following high schools: Carman-Ainsworth, Clio, Davison, Flushing, Mt. Morris, and Swartz Creek. The college also offers classes at extension sites in nearby Shiawasee and Tuscola counties. The Southern Lakes Branch Campus, which opened in 1992, is located on Thompson Road near Fenton, 15 miles south of Flint. In the city of Flint, the main campus is situated on 62 acres at 1401 E. Court Street. Although Mott, then Flint Junior College, was established in 1923, the buildings of the main campus were constructed from 1954 through 1992 on land donated in 1953 by Charles Stewart Mott from his estate. Non-credit and training programs are offered at the Broome Center to serve the northern tier of Flint. In all, MCC uses nearly 1,000,000 square feet of space to serve the students who come to the college each year.

MCC has effectively organized the physical resources necessary to accomplish its purposes. A series of campus master planning strategies worksessions was held on campus in the fall of 1997. A copy of the summary report is available in Appendix ?. The College has retained SSOE, Inc., as architects/engineers to assist with MCC's Master Plan for physical development. The institution has obtained funds to continue physical development, building, renovation and repair through a series of bond issues. The latest bond issue, for $20 million, will be used as a partial match for the State of Michigan capital outlay funds granted to build a regional technology center on property newly donated by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation on the site of St. Joseph Hospital.

CHANGES IN PHYSICAL FACILITIES

MCC physical facilities have changed and expanded greatly in the ten years since the last NCA visit.

The 62,000 square-foot Southern Lakes Branch Campus (SLBC) was acquired in Fenton. It serves the areas of Fenton, Lake Fenton and Linden and was created in cooperation with the school boards of those communities. Three programs, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, and Autobody Repair and Painting, are housed at SLBC. A satellite extension center has been added out of the college service district in the city of Lapeer. It serves Lapeer and communities north and east of it. To serve the north end of Flint, the college rents a classroom in the Broome Center where training and continuing education courses are offered.

A number of renovation projects have been completed on the main campus. The Gorman Science Building was completely renovated in 1996, asbestos was abated and new, up-to-date laboratories, classrooms, a renovated geology museum and a state-of-the-art photography laboratory were added. The building was airconditioned to facilitate use during the spring and summer sessions.

The Mott Memorial Building has been extensively renovated to create modern facilities for the dental and music programs. The dental assisting and hygiene program renovations include state-of-the-art laboratories and a clinic, which serves the public. For the music programs, new facilities include sound proof practice studios and a beautiful auditorium with a grand piano for practice, recitals and concerts. In January 1999, a new computer lab/classroom opened for operation, and two general psychology computerized laboratory courses were offered. The room includes 20 stations for the classroom and 15 for the open lab. A portable wall enables the room to be used completely for open lab when classes are not being held there. Classrooms and offices were remodeled to create the University Center on the first floor, housing Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Wayne State, and Ferris State Universities extension centers. Also on the first floor is the Mott Middle College High School, an alternative high school for selected students from the Genesee Intermediate School District.

In 1992, the 10,000 square-foot Facilities Management Building was built to house the campus safety/security function and the facilities/buildings and grounds personnel.

In 199???, the third floor of the library building was renovated to provide space for the computer assisted design program. The program is equipped with machines on which students train to industry standards. Also in the library, a first-rate TV studio has been built, enabling the college to create its own telecourses, videos, etc.

The Curtice-Mott Complex has been renovated to provide training and office space for Information Systems, Institutional Development and the Foundation for MCC, Accounting, Payroll, Printing and Duplicating, Purchasing, Shipping and Receiving, and the Mailroom. Continuing Education has been relocated from the Reuther Center, which was sold to the State of Michigan Jobs Commission, to the Curtice-Mott Complex, where an office suite and classrooms have been created in the space vacated by the relocation of the registration office.

To provide resources for MCC's new Graphic Arts/Design program, a state-of-the-art Macintosh computer lab has been added to the Flint Institute of Arts rental space which houses the college’s art programs.

The Prahl College Center has been renovated to include a "one-stop shopping" admissions, counseling, advising, and registration experience for students. Also in the College Center are updated and renovated student lounges, one of which is a coffee shop. The Applewood Cafe, a gourmet restaurant featuring the talents of the MCC Culinary Arts Program, has been created and draws patrons from the community as well as from the college. To support the program, a state-of-the-art kitchen has been added

An energy management study was done at the college with money from a state grant. As a result, a new computerized energy management system became operational in 199?,. The system has realized great savings in energy costs on the main campus. Chillers have been replaced in the library and Mott Memorial Buildings, boilers have been replaced, and lighting has been changed to conserve energy.

Access to childcare has been enhanced on campus by the addition of a modular building to house a Head Start ChildCare Center. The unit has been erected near the library across from MCC's Early Childhood Learning Center, which is located in Woodside Church, adjacent to the campus. Both programs will share the nearby playground on the church grounds.

By using bond issue monies, the college has repaired parking ramps and repaved surface parking lots, added attractive, functional signage and improved lighting. Handicapped access has been improved by the addition of automatic door openers in all building and sidewalk cuts throughout the campus. Since 1996, all college buildings have been smoke free.

COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS/EQUIPMENT

MCC's communications systems have been upgraded through the installation of a centralized phone system connecting the main and Southern Lakes campuses. The system includes voice mail, call conferencing, etc.

Beginning in 1996, the College changed from the mainframe Prime computer system to the Datatel administrative data system using a Hewlett Packard T520 for administrative computing, a Hewlett Packard for academic computing and several servers. All faculty and staff now have a PC on their desks and are connected by servers to local area networks. Staff and faculty now enjoy speedy access to the World Wide Web and email through Lotus Notes.

MAIN CAMPUS

The main campus consists of ten buildings encompassing nearly 700,000 square feet. Currently the Wagner Auto Lab, with 21, 673 square feet, is located on the site of the former downtown campus. However, when the Regional Technology Center building is complete, the auto laboratory will be moved onto the main campus. An overview of the buildings is contained in Appendix ?

Durham Natatorium

The Durham Natatorium, built in 1958, contains pool facilities used by athletic teams, students, staff and the community. A plan to improve the building by adding a fitness center and juice bar is being considered.

Ballenger Field House

Constructed in 1954, the Ballenger Field House contains athletic programs, physical education classes, offices, locker rooms and the Fitness Center. This facility opened in 1992 and occupies a 30 x 60-foot space in a converted auxiliary gym. The room contains a Universal Super Circuit consisting of 23 stations, which has alternating weight machines and stationary bicycles. The Center also contains four electronic bikes, three treadmills, three stair climbers, and a microfit testing area. The Fitness Center is already too small to accommodate the current and anticipated volume of use. There are nine physical education classes and approximately 100 members (faculty/staff and students) who use the center. Plans are under consideration to convert the Durham Natatorium building into a complete fitness center, which would attract community members.

Curtice-Mott Complex

In 1955, the Curtice-Mott Complex opened as two buildings and was later connected by a second-floor extension to form one complex. It houses the Humanities, Health Sciences, Information Technology and Business Division offices and classrooms. The Curtice-Mott Complex contains 40 media booth classrooms and 8 computer labs for use by faculty in all divisions. The Electronics Program computer lab, laboratories, stockroom, and classrooms are housed in the complex. Although the division office and most of the division are located in the Gorman Building, the Science and Math Division also has five laboratories in the complex: botany, zoology, microbiology and two anatomy and physiology labs. Biology faculty offices, the fish room and the greenhouse are also located in Curtice-Mott. According to Biology faculty, although the facilities are minimally adequate, the laboratories and lecture rooms have not been renovated in the past 25 years. Lecture halls lack wheelchair ramps and special seating to accommodate wheelchairs, instructor demonstration tables, and up-to-date, working audiovisual equipment. Paint is peeling off the walls. Laboratories need storage space for microscopes and equipment, wheelchair stations, instructor demonstration stations, and up-to-date four-student lab tables with center sinks, gas, air and electrical outlets.

The Business Division’s McKay Cooperative Education Center, operated by the Office Information Systems Program, offers services for both students and the community, including resume writing, interviewing, and business consulting. The Humanities Division provides students with a language laboratory, two reading labs and the Writing Center, which contains six MacIntosh computers and a laser printer for student use. Both reading labs are computerized and contain a total of 50 IBM 386/486 computers and dot matrix printers. The division offers so many English classes at popular times that personnel feel there are not enough classrooms available in Curtice-Mott to offer the optimum number of classes.

In September 1998, the Health Sciences Division opened its Nursing computer lab, providing 25 IBM Pentium computers and laser printers for student use. The division also offers student support through an audiovisual tutorial room in CM2301. Nursing students use combined TV/VCR stations to watch instructional videos as part of their class work. The lab contains twelve stations; however, according to the technical assistant in that division, only 8 – 10 stations are working at any given time. In addition, the equipment is so heavily used that it is wearing out and needs to be replaced. For example, one class alone requires that each student view 25 videos during 8 weeks of instruction. The tutorial room also contains 4 IBM computers and 3 Apple computers, which are equipped with specific nursing program software for student use. Faculty assign projects which students must complete using the installed software. Three additional IBM Pentium computers, which are linked to the server of the Nursing computer lab, are located in the tutorial room and serve as a sort of mini open lab. Students also use the Health Sciences Skills Lab in CM2303-05. This lab serves as a mock hospital, with 12 beds, IV poles, meds carts, medical supplies, etc., and is used by classes and as an open lab for individual practice on nursing skills. Although the equipment in this lab is never quite up to date, since the medical profession changes so rapidly, it is equipped very well to teach basic nursing skills. The division also provides a classroom/lab combination for the Nurse Aide Program. Again, this lab is well stocked with equipment and supplies to teach the fundamentals that students will need. Also in Curtice-Mott, the Respiratory Therapy Program provides a combined classroom/laboratory. Since equipment in this field is very expensive and changes rapidly, the lab is never as up to date as the program coordinators and faculty would like. For example, there are ventilators in the lab, but many of them are old and not in good condition. The lab lacks piped in oxygen and lab stations with sinks and running water. The coordinators dream of having a more current laboratory which is separate from the classroom.

Educational Technology, which staffs and maintains the eight academic computer labs in the complex, and the Information Technology Division, are also housed in Curtice-Mott. Educational Technology operates the Faculty Support Center with five computers, laser and color laser printers, color scanners and a photo scanner to provide equipment and assistance for faculty using technology in their teaching. In 1994, an interactive classroom, with 18 student stations, was completed. This facility enables faculty to teach classes interactively from the classroom to any site connected to the fiber network. Currently, Mott uses the room almost exclusively with the matching interactive classroom at the Southern Lakes Branch Campus. However, the University Center tenants, Eastern, Ferris, and Michigan State Universities, rent the interactive classroom. The facility has been used for training by the American Red Cross, the Family Independence Agency, and other organizations. Kettering University has used it to conduct long-distance job interviews. Given its heavy usage, the college has identified a need to expand and improve the interactive classroom. The Educational Technology Department has requested that funds from the latest bond issue be used to upgrade the facility. The upgrade will provide touch screen technology and the ability to teach interactively to the Lapeer satellite center. Educational Technology plans to provide three more interactive classrooms, which will be connected directly to manufacturing sites, in the new Regional Technology Center.

The Administrative Complex, containing the offices of the President and other top administrators, is located in Curtice-Mott, which also houses the Information Systems department offices, facilities and training rooms. In 1995, the registration offices relocated to the Prahl College Center to become part of the "one-stop shopping" concept of student services. At that time, the area was renovated for occupation by Continuing Education. The suite contains two Continuing Education classrooms and offices for staff. One classroom is a combined lecture/laboratory and the other is a general classroom. Continuing Education computer classes are held in four computer laboratories directly adjacent to the suite. Curtice-Mott also contains the offices of Human Resources, Accounting and the Foundation for Mott Community College. Upon completion of the Facilities Building in 1992, Shipping/Receiving, Printing and Duplicating and the Purchasing Departments were relocated to space in the complex that was formerly occupied by Facilities Management and the Campus Safety Department.

Library

The Mott Library was built in 1960 and contains a comprehensive collection of books and periodicals, the Drafting and Computer-Aided Design programs, the TV studios, Learning Center, DisAbility Services, the WICAT lab, Tutorial Servcies, the Viewing Listening Center, and the Testing Center. The library pioneered in the creation of the FALCON (Flint Area Library Cooperative Online Network) system, which includes Baker College, Kettering University, Lapeer County Library, and the Genesee District Libraries. In 1990-91, the third floor of the library was renovated by changing a manual drafting room into an AutoCAD lab. Three more renovations (in 1994, 1996 and 1998) of the third floor have resulted in four computer labs for the CAD program, which is geared to prepare students for jobs at General Motors and other manufacturing concerns in the southeastern Michigan region. Students are trained on 37 PCs using the Unigraphics system of CAD. This program will move into the Regional Technology Center when it is finished. Present facilities are barely adequate for the current program and would never meet the projected needs of the program as it changes to meet the demands of students and corporations. When the program moves to the RTC, simulation technology will become an added dimension. As in many programs where the technology changes rapidly, one of the challenges has been to keep acquiring adequate computer hardware on which to run the new software. On the first floor, the Learning Center provides a variety of services to assist students in identifying their strengths and weaknesses and in developing a personal academic success plan. The WICAT computer-assisted instruction lab in the Learning Center provides computerized tutoring in subjects such as reading, English, arithmetic and algebra. The system provides diagnostic testing and suggested placement for each subject. Two TV studios, a control room and editing suite enable the college to film its own distance learning courses on campus. The TV studios also serve as laboratories for TV Broadcasting classes. Two satellite dishes, Ku and C band, act as receivers for satellite downlinks and video conferencing.

The library also contains the Viewing/Listening Center on the first floor. The center has 12 video stations for viewing of videotapes and 6 carrels with slide/sound capability. Students can view all videos for distance learning classes in the VLC. Also in the VLC is the Testing Center where tests are administered for most distance learning courses as well as make-up tests for on-campus classes. The center can accommodate 48 students taking tests at one time. The capacity of the VLC is adequate to meet current needs. However, it is anticipated that, as the Distance Learning program continues to grow, the center will need to expand as well. The Distance Learning program currently provides eight per cent of all MCC credit hours generated. In 1998, the QUEST Center opened in the former office of Charles Stewart Mott on the ground floor of the library. The Center, which is well utilized by the community, is a collection of materials and resources for the use of entrepreneurs and businesses in the MCC service area. Although the Mott Library serves the campus well, the building has developed some physical problems with the curtain wall, which cause occasional leaking. Seven years ago, the architectural firm, Tomblinson, Harburn Associates studied the problem and recommended repairs estimated to cost $200,000 - $300,000. These repairs will be undertaken as more urgent projects are completed.

Prahl College Center

The Prahl College Center is used for a variety of functions including admissions, counseling, advisement, registration, food service, student activities and clubs, college bookstore, and community and college meetings. Built in 1972, the College Center also houses the Counseling and Student Development Division offices, including Health Services, Tutorial Services and the Advisement Center. The college offers computerized placement testing in a lab which contains 15 IBM Pentium computers and a laser printer. In September 1995, the Applewood Cafe, a gourmet restaurant, complete with up-to-date kitchen and dining facilities, was created in the Prahl College Center. Students and faculty of the Culinary Arts Program cook and serve all meals in the cafe as well as cater events at the President's Conference Center and other campus functions. The restaurant attracts both community and college patrons.

Mott Memorial Building

Although the Mott Memorial Building was built in 1957, it was not occupied by MCC until 1988, when the college obtained the building from the University of Michigan-Flint. Extensively renovated, the MMB now contains the Social Sciences Division, the Music Area of the Fine Arts Division, the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs of the Health Sciences Division, the Universities Center, the Mott Middle College High School and the University of Michigan-Flint's WFUM Channel 28. In 1991, approximately 13,000 square feet were renovated to create a state-of-the-art dental classroom/laboratory/office area, including a dental clinic, which serves the community while being used as a laboratory for students. In 1991, the music area was renovated to include an auditorium with a grand piano, soundproof practice rooms, classrooms with keyboards and synthesizers and offices for faculty and staff. The faculty and students also have the use of two computers for composing music.

The Social Sciences Division contains the following programs and disciplines: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Gerontology, Child Development, Criminal Justice/Corrections, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Social Work. The physical area consists of offices for faculty and staff and 19 classrooms, of which 6 are equipped with media booths. All other classrooms feature an overhead, screen, monitor and VCR. Faculty offices are all equipped with networked PCs and printers are available. The building houses a Media Services office from which media equipment is ordered and delivered. The media technician also supervises the computer lab, which opened in January 1999, with 20 computers in the classroom portion and 15 additional computers in the open lab section of the room. Also in January, the first computer-based psychology lab course was successfully offered. In the center of the building, the Donnelly Courtyard serves as a quiet space to be enjoyed by building occupants as well as a botany laboratory. The plantings are maintained by the Biology faculty and students. Mott Middle College High School, a model alternative high school, inhabits the west corridor of the first floor of the building, with six classrooms and offices for faculty and staff. The Universities Center occupies the east corridor of the first floor and contains offices and classrooms for Central Michigan, Ferris State, Wayne State and Eastern Michigan Universities. Channel 28 occupies the north corridor of the first floor and the terrace floor below it. When Channel 28 moves from the building, predicted to occur in 2001, there are several alternative plans for use of the space. Consideration has been given to moving the Child Development Center from nearby Woodside Church, adjacent to the campus, to the MMB. The Center, which serves as a laboratory for Child Development program students, would then be more conveniently located for students. Another possibility being explored is to locate a proposed regional police academy in the vacated space.

Gorman Building

The Gorman Science Building houses the Science and Math Division and materials and machining classes from the Technology Division. In 1995, renovation of the building began and was completed in 1996. The building was completely renovated, asbestos was abated, and modern classrooms, laboratories and offices were created. Gorman was also air conditioned to facilitate use during the spring and summer sessions. The building contains a state-of-the-art computerized and photography lab for the Photography Program, a geology lab and museum, two chemistry labs, a physical science lab and a physics lab. Although the science laboratories in Gorman have served as a model for other colleges looking to renovate their laboratories, faculty have found some problems with the building. Electrical problems in the chemistry labs cause circuit breakers to trip frequently, heating and cooling are erratic, and faculty say that a foul odor frequently permeates the building. Facilities personnel are working with the Associate Dean of Science and Math to solve these problems. Although the building renovation created a computer laboratory on the second floor, apparently no provision was made for the purchase of computers; therefore, no up-to-date, useable computers facilities exist at present. The Associate Dean and the Academic Vice President are presently seeking to identify funds with which to purchase current computer hardware and software.

Facilities Management Building

In 1992, the newest campus building was completed. The 10,000 square foot Facilities Building contains offices and space for the maintenance, custodial, building projects and campus safety operations.

Trade Technical Building

The Trade Tech Building, completed in 1969, contains the Technology Division offices, classrooms and laboratories. Plumbing, metalworking, heating and air conditioning, woodworking and other technical programs are represented in the 39,597 square foot building. The building is sinking and will be torn down when the new Regional Technology Center is completed. All current programs will be moved into the RTC.

President's Residence and Conference Center

The President's Residence and Conference Center is used for college and community conferences and meetings. The grounds have been extensively landscaped with assistance from the Biology department of the college.

SOUTHERN LAKES BRANCH CAMPUS

The Southern Lakes Branch Campus, which opened in 1992, is located on Thompson Road, 15 miles south of the city of Flint. The campus offers programs in Autobody Repair and Painting, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, as well as developmental courses, courses which apply to MCC transfer programs and non-credit training courses. Several academic programs may be completed in their entirety at SLBC. Library, bookstore and childcare services are also available at the site. Courses are also available from the University of Michigan-Flint at SLBC. The campus was created in cooperation with the Fenton, Lake Fenton, and Linden school boards.

The 31-acre campus has 24 classrooms/labs located in Buildings A and B. One classroom is devoted to interactive TV/video classes, five general classrooms are dedicated to MCC use and ten are rented to the Lake Fenton, Fenton, Linden and Goodrich high school consortium. Two classroom areas are dedicated to childcare. One room is an OTA media room, one a PTA lab class (beds in the classroom area). These rooms are equipped with the basics, but the program coordinators feel that there is neither the space nor the equipment to teach as they would wish. One room is a tiered lecture hall seating 100 students and used for lecture and physical education classes. Three classrooms are dedicated labs, biology, computer and PTA/OTA. One room has been designated a library with all necessary interconnectivity to the main campus library. Building C has two classrooms and two auto labs. MCC runs programs in one lab/classroom area, and the high school consortium uses the other.

All rooms and offices at SLBC are ADA compliant, as determined by inspections upon opening in 1992 and a follow-up inspection by the Director of Disability Services in 1996.

MCC personnel from main campus supply custodial and maintenance services.

Security personnel also come from the main campus. There is one certified officer stationed at SLBC for a 4:30 - 10:30 p.m. shift five days per week. If there are security incidents at other times, SLBC personnel call as needed. If there is an urgent security incident when main campus security personnel could not respond as quickly as needed, SLBC staff call the Sheriff's Department of Fenton Township.

LAPEER SATELLITE CENTER

The Lapeer center has 18 classrooms and three conference rooms available. Four of the classrooms are currently leased to Detroit College of Business and to Headstart; twelve classrooms are used for MCC classes. All MCC classrooms have overhead screens and available A/V equipment. One room is a dedicated computer lab with 24 PCs available for use.

Ten offices are on site; one rented by Detroit College of Business, two by Headstart and one by the Family Literacy Center, leaving six offices for MCC use. Two are designated for faculty use and one is for advising and counseling.

All classrooms and offices are ADA compliant. A contracted vendor provides custodial services.

A student safety officer who is stationed at the Lapeer campus from 5 - 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, provides security. His/her responsibility is primarily parking. If there are other security incidents which must be responded to quickly, the Lapeer campus staff calls the Lapeer City Police Department.

BROOME CENTER

One room has been rented at the Broome Center for offering non-credit and training classes. The room has A/V equipment available and six computers. The classroom and available office are ADA compliant. The landlord provides custodial and security services.

EXTENSION SITES

MCC credit classes are held in five area high schools (Carman-Ainsworth, Davison, Flushing, Clio and Mt. Morris) as part of the college's outreach. All rooms used for college classes are ADA compliant. The high schools provide custodial and security services.

INFORMATION/COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Academic Computing

On all campuses, there are 30 computer labs with 505 stations to serve 8,000 - 9,000 MCC students. Labs include two open computer labs available evening hours and Saturday, classroom labs, a Photography Program lab, a Reading Improvement Center, a Writing Center, a Graphic Arts lab, and a lab dedicated to publishing the student newspaper.

Improvements made:

In September of 1996, a new computer system was brought in to upgrade all administrative functions of the College including registration, admissions, students records, payroll, accounting, fund raising and human resources. The hardware to house these functions is a Hewlett Packard T520 and the software is Datatel Systems. The changeover occurred in stages over the course of a year and was completed in November 1997.

As of November 1998, Information Systems had an inventory of 774 IBM-compatible Pentium computers, 35 MacIntosh computers, 419 IBM-compatible 486 computers, and 167 various types of printers.

A campus computerization has been implemented. By December 31, 1998, all faculty and staff had a PC on their desks. In most cases, computers are available for part-time faculty.

Improvements:

Phone System and Voice Mail

MCC switched to a central AT & T Definity telephone system which gives users access to voice mail, call conferencing, call forwarding, multiple lines on each telephone and other modern features. Appendix ? contains a full description of both the phone system and the voice mail system.

BARRIER-FREE ENVIRONMENT

MCC has made every attempt to create and maintain a barrier-free environment. In 1997, the College approved a self-evaluation and transition plan for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The plan indicated that the College is aware of its obligations under the ADA and is actively involved in meeting the requirements of the ADA. The responsibility for ADA coordination rests with the Executive Dean of Human Resources. A committee of individuals who have work responsibilities related to ADA has been assembled to review the status of the College's ADA efforts. The ADA Committee members are facilitators for functions relating to ADA compliance. The ADA audit and transition plan are in Appendix?. MCC has done a good job on physical accessibility. For example, in older computer labs that do not have existing handicapped stations, handicapped carrels are available to be brought in as a need is presented. Most recently, an access need identified in the View/Listening Center resulted in a new door being installed in November 1998. Physical facilities that are not currently in compliance are being brought up to standard during routine maintenance and as renovations or repairs are made. Concerns about physical accessibility are limited. However, the Director of DisAbility Services has expressed concern about programmatic accessibility. An example would be the fact that computer labs and classes are not accessible to students with visual impairments. Also, telecourses are not closed-captioned for the hearing impaired. Additional areas that should be addressed are: What is the process for filing a complaint and how has that process been communicated to MCC staff and students? Is the ADA Transition Plan reviewed regularly and by whom?

COMMITMENT TO CAMPUS SAFETY

In 1998, in recognition of student concerns about safety and security on the main campus, MCC changed its security function from a contracted service to college-operated public safety department. Prior to this drastic change, the college conducted a survey of faculty, staff and students to determine their level of experience with security services, their needs and their comfort level with a department staffed by certified police officers. The former Chief of Police for the City of Flint is now Director of the Public Safety Department and brings many years of law enforcement experience to the position. The Mott Community College Public Safety Department is a fully recognized law enforcement agency sanctioned by the State of Michigan. Its mission is to maintain a safe learning and working environment for the college community. In order to complete that mission, the Public Safety Department has established goals and objectives commensurate with its mission. Public Safety officers patrol the main campus 24 hours a day and are in constant contact via radio. Two new security vehicles have been purchased, with lights and sirens. Since Public Safety officers are certified police officers with arrest powers, their ability to respond to incidents has increased. The Public Safety Department has a unique relationship with MCC's Criminal Justice/Corrections Program. The Coordinator of the program conducted the surveys, which led to the creation of a public safety department, as opposed to a security service. In addition, students from the Criminal Justice/Corrections Program are eligible to serve as student campus safety officers. This service learning component enriches an already highly successful academic/career development program.

The department is in the process of developing a plan to place emergency telephones throughout the College, which will allow individuals to contact Public Safety in emergency and non-emergency situations by lifting the receiver and speaking into the intercom. This program is expected to be completed by 2003.

Additionally, the department will be developing and implementing an informational program, which will provide the college community with information highlighting services and providing crime prevention and awareness tips. Public Safety also has embarked upon a ten-year project to develop a partnership with the surrounding community in order to establish a collaborative crime prevention program. It is envisioned that the college and the community will work together to promote and maintain a safe environment. The public safety report is contained in Appendix ?

MCC has demonstrated a further commitment to campus safety by the implementation of environmental health and safety programs, overseen by a new position, the Environmental Health and Safety Compliance Officer. This person oversees not only environmental safety, but safety concerns such as severe weather, fire, mechanical/electrical failure, etc. The safety officer also provides the college community with regular safety bulletins from the Consumer Product Safety Commission via email. The College has in place the following: Biohazardous waste program, bloodborne pathogens program, hazard communication program, chemical hygiene plan, lockout-tagout program, and a confined spaces program. Emergency procedures are in place. An environmental compliance audit was conducted in 1991, and another is planned for 19??

A complete copy of the environmental health and safety programs and the proposed MCC Safety Manual can be seen in Appendix ?

CHILD CARE FACILITIES

At present, MCC provides limited childcare options for students and staff. Other facilities, by other providers, are available adjacent to the campus. Although hourly drop-in childcare for infants through school age children was identified by MCC students as a primary need in a survey conducted by Student Government, this service is not provided by the college. The Mott Early Childhood Learning Center is located at Woodside Church adjacent to the main campus. (See map in Appendix ?) This grant-funded school readiness program serves as the laboratory/field work site for MCC's Child Development Program. The center provides a free school readiness curriculum to 87 at-risk 4-year olds. The facility has four rooms of 78 square feet each, plus bathrooms. Each room has a loft, cabinets, art easels, sand tables, water tables, climbers, and mats. There is also a playground on the church grounds for use of the program children. In 1998, a modular classroom facility was provided for Headstart. Located on campus contiguous to the Early Childhood Learning Center, the Headstart facility, currently serving 8 children, will serve 38 when it is at capacity. Hourly drop-in childcare for children ages 3 and up is available for students, staff and community from the Flint Area Parent-Child Nursery, also conveniently located at Woodside Church. In March 1999, Headstart also received the Early On grant which will enable them to serve up to 24 children ages 0 – 3, in addition to at-risk, expectant mothers. The program is currently seeking suitable space to locate on the MCC campus.

The Southern Lakes Branch Campus offers childcare through a Headstart, a day care and a pre-school readiness program located on the campus. Drop-in care is available for MCC students at a reasonable hourly rate.

The Lapeer Satellite Center has plans to provide a Headstart child care program on campus. At present, there is no other childcare option on site.

THE REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER

An example of MCC's provision of physical resources relative to Criterion Two, is the planning for a new Regional Technology Center. The College has received approximately $17 million in capital outlay funding from the State of Michigan for the construction of a Regional Technology Center, with MCC's match coming from a bond issue initiative. The RTC will consist of about 191,800 square feet and will be located on the site currently occupied by St. Joseph Hospital, adjacent to the main campus. The RTC will help Mott fulfill part of its mission, which is to "collaborate with business, labor and government to create and maintain a highly-trained workforce to attract and sustain businesses that contribute to the community's economic well-being and quality of life". Additionally, "the college is a catalyst for sharing technology and facilitating technology transfer by effectively using resources and by building and sustaining community alliances". In order to accomplish this mission, programs will be developed and maintained that address the changing environment of the workplace. This project represents both a high-tech manufacturing education facility and a high-tech curricular system. It will provide both credit and non-credit, customized and traditional manufacturing modules designed to transfer theory into application and will address those skills required by emerging manufacturing enterprises. In addition, this project will address the growing workforce development demands of the construction trades. By adding space to support the local trade unions' educational needs, this facility will support the critical shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry. The RTC is expected to house the following programs: Automotive Technology, Electronics Computing, CAD/CAM/CAE/Design/Drafting, Manufacturing Processes, Welding, Plastics, Casting and Forming, Machining, Quality Control, Automation, Simulation Technology, and Building Trades. There will also be offices for economic workforce development, administration, faculty and support services. Building plans are available in Appendix ?

Student Survey Results

A student and employee survey was conducted in December of 1998. The surveys provided a means to assess the satisfaction of students and employees with respect to a number of questions related to physical resources. For the complete survey results refer to Appendix (TBA).

As a whole it appears from this data that students are generally satisfied with the physical resources of the college. The majority of physical resources related questions indicated over 70% of the respondents were satisfied or felt that a specific physical resource to be adequate.

The following table indicates the questions assessing the satisfaction with the physical facilities and the percentage together of students who "Agreed" and "Strongly Agreed" (a favorable response). Students who had a "Don’t Know" response are not included in these percentages. The "Don’t Know" response probably indicates a lack of use or contact with that physical resource. For example only 2% of the students had a "Don’t Know" response for the adequacy of classroom as compared to a 60% "Don’t Know" response for adequacy of technology labs.

These data would suggest that a review is needed in these areas. The major concern that students have is with the parking. Many students had comments with respect to the parking issue: "I don’t like paying a dollar for parking", "Not enough parking close to school buildings", "Too dark in parking ramps, I do not feel safe". Likewise there were comments which suggested that more copy machines were needed and the maintenance of these machines could be improved. The concerns with the science labs seem to be specifically directed toward biology. These labs are located in the Curtis-Mott Complex and were not included in the renovation project that enhanced the chemistry and physics labs.

An important favorable finding from the student survey was that 91% of the respondents had a favorable response with respect to campus safety. Many urban institutions are often characterized as being unsafe and crime laden. Only 8% of the respondents did not feel the campus was a generally safe place. With the aforementioned changes in the provision of campus safety and security, it would be expected that this high rating would continue or possible increase. This will serve to provide a more realistic view of the college and help to enhance its image.

Employee Survey Results

An employee survey was conducted in December of 1998. The survey was constructed to determine the satisfaction level of employees. As with the student survey the neutral responses have been removed from consideration to assess those who indicated a positive or negative response. The percentage column is a combined representation of satisfied or agree and very satisfied or strongly agree responses. See Appendix TBA for the complete Employee survey.

One explanation of the disparity in the rating of the science labs between the two groups is that the chemistry and physics labs are essentially brand new with the renovation in the Gorman Building whereas the biology labs housed in the Curtis-Mott Complex have not been updated in many years and are considered by the faculty and students to be in need of major renovation. It may be that more employee respondents were considering the newly remodeled labs in the Gorman Building than the outdated labs in Curtis-Mott.

A simple majority of employees and students surveyed were satisfied with the physical resources of the college. An overall comparison of the results indicates that the students were more satisfied than employees with the rated items. Using a cut score of 70% for satisfaction or a judgement that the resource was adequate, The student survey results found 9 of the 12 categories surpassing this level. The employee survey indicates only 8 out of 18 achieved a 70% rating. The survey data provides an important source of information to assess strengths and weaknesses of the physical resources. A more detailed analysis would provide a means to develop a plan to remedy those areas of concern.

Analysis

The review of the physical resources of Mott Community College for this self-study indicates that these resources support the mission of the institution. There are definite patterns of evidence pointing to this fact. The college is clearly a different place than it was since the last self-study. The expansion to the south with the SLBC in Fenton and to the east with the addition of the satellite extension center in Lapeer and the beginning of course offerings at the Broome Center in the northern part of Flint. The continuation of classes at area high school indicates the college is supporting the mission "to provide quality higher education for the people in Genesee and the surrounding counties."

To summarize the committee’s findings the following strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats have been identified. In addition there are recommendations the committee offers to provide the continued assurance that the physical resources support the mission of the institution.

Strengths