A new campus-wide integrated technology system, an academic resource center, and an automated system of advising and planning (ASAP) are being developed at Saint Martin's thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Title III, Strengthening Institutions grant program.

These exciting changes are the end result of the vision and dedication of a number of faculty and staff members who, over the course of three years, developed the grant proposal and submitted it for funding, revising and resubmitting the application until the project was selected in a highly competitive process in 2001.

Saint Martin's University is one of only thirty-six institutions in the nation to receive funding from the 2001 Strengthening Institutions Program. The purpose of the program is to, "assist eligible institutions of higher education to become self-sufficient by providing funds to improve and strengthen their academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability."

The grant funding will provide $1.8 million over the five year life of the project with Saint Martin's providing an institutional commitment of staffing, supplies, and renovations as specified in the proposal.

Key personal
Scot Harrison is the Title III Grant Coordinator, and Activity Directors Mike Extine and Deborah DeBow will oversee the implementation of the projects outlined in the grant application. In addition, two new staff members have been hired to provide administrative support and oversee work set forth in the grant proposal.

Activity I: Computerized support of critical services, strengthening management and student services and acquisition of equipment
In this Activity, Saint Martin's University will replace its inefficient and outdated information management system. Key measures include:

• Conversion of all appropriate files to a new database
• Significant increases in access to data by faculty/advisors, staff and administrators
• Significant increases in record retrieval time
• A significant decrease in registration time due to online registration capabilities.

Activity II: Improvement of academic programs, faculty development and student services
This Activity targets poor retention rates, faculty development and academic assistance for at-risk students. The first component addresses academically at-risk students and includes peer tutoring, study circles and the establishment of an academic resource center. The second component of this Activity provides faculty development in the following areas: computer assisted instruction, an Automated System of Academic Planning (ASAP), advising, and diverse learning styles. Key measures include:

• Significant increase in the number of students persisting to graduation due to early warning, orientations and mentoring.
• The addition of peer tutors, study circles and the establishment of an Academic Resource Center or "Learning Center".
• Faculty training on the use of the new "Smart Classroom," teaching/learning styles, and advising.