 |
|
| Vol. 18, No. 25 | March 25, 1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Vol. 18, No. 25 | March 25, 1999 |
|
|
|
What do you do if you need to know about a grade you received, if you need an adviser, or if you want to find out about housing?
One solution to these questions is to go to the SPAN web site. SPAN, a student service, established in 1997, has been recently updated with a web site to better respond to the changing needs and demands of students. The Student Problem-solving Action Network (SPAN) was created to help students resolve problems they encounter at the University quickly and efficiently. This web-based network provides students with links from specific problems to the designated unit's "problem-solver," the person best able to help the student with a particular problem.
"SPAN is a program that Dr. Roland Smith designed and used successfully at two other institutions. Here at the University, it has been put on the web and is more accessible to students and staff than ever before," Timothy Brooks, student life, said. "I am convinced that it will help solve problems for students and make it much easier for them to negotiate all areas of the University."
According to Smith, vice president for student life, "My original concept of SPAN grew out of my experience of seeing students bounced from one person or office to another, eventually ending back where he or she started. My goal was to create a problem solving tool, a network where students can be referred in a timely and efficient manner, to those people who can solve their problems. There is a designated problem solver in every academic and administrative department on campus. And this problem solver is usually someone behind the front line staff."
According to Jane Moore, assistant dean of students, the designated problem-solver is a faculty or staff member who has enough authority to resolve student problems and concerns arising in a particular department.
"SPAN is a great system where students, faculty and staff can get quick answers to their questions and problems and be put in touch with people who can help them find solutions," Moore said. "We work hard to keep the information up-to-date, by making changes as we learn of them."
The SPAN web site <http:/www.udel.edu/SPAN>, has a cross-referenced, alphabetized index of problems students frequently encounter, a one-page listing for each department (including its functions), common problems and contact information for the designated problem-solver, a topic index and links to other web sites for more in-depth information on a particular problem.
Some of the topics and problems addressed and resolved by SPAN deal with issues related to:
The SPAN web site and its uses are publicized to students through New Student Orientation, mailings and through contact with University staff who have been trained to point out this resource to students.
"SPAN is an excellent resource that University employees should become familiar with to provide a higher level of quality service to our students," Richie Holland, Employee Training and Career Development, said. "The staff of Employee Training and Career Development is pleased to be involved with a training initiative that teaches staff how to take advantage of this service."
According to Smith, "we want the workshop to train people to be effective problem solvers when they encounter a student with a specific problem and to be aware of who their department's designated problem solver is. SPAN is the best kept secret at the University. Our goal is to introduce employees to the web site and also alert the staff that this excellent resource is available."
--Gail E. Walford
Training set
A training workshop to make University staff aware of SPAN will be held from 10 a.m.- noon, Thursday, April 29, in Trabant Multipurpose Room A. Employees may register by sending an e-mail message, including name, department, title, e-mail address and phone number to <EmployeeTraining@MVS.udel.edu>.
