Educational Opportunity Program Annual Report 2018-2019

The mission of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is to provide access and support services to first-generation college students who have experienced economic, educational, and/or environmental barriers, but display the potential to succeed in post-secondary education and to assist the university in the matriculation, retention, and graduation of EOP students.

Department Goals (Last reviewed July 2019):

1. EOP will provide a comprehensive program of support services that will enhance the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary for the academic success and the social and emotional personal development of EOP students. (Division goals 1, 2, 3; University strategic priorities 1, 3)
2. EOP will promote social, cultural, and ethnic diversity in the CSU, Chico campus population. (Division goal 2; University strategic priorities 4, 7, 8)
3. EOP will educate and inform students, faculty, and staff about program services and accomplishments. (Division goal 1, 2; University strategic priorities 1, 2, 4, 5, 8)
4. EOP professional staff will maintain currency in the fields of college student retention, academic advising and obstacles encountered by first-generation and other historically marginalized college students through memberships in professional organizations, reading appropriate research journals, and professional development opportunities. (Division goals 1, 2; 3; University strategic priorities 2, 4, 5, 8)
5. EOP will encourage student participation and involvement in the CSU, Chico campus community and the community of Chico as a whole. (Division goals 1, 2; University strategic priorities 1, 4, 6, 7, 8)

II. Department Accomplishments

• EOP 50 ^th anniversary events--Kick-off event focused on current students.
• Summer Bridge English Component created EOP 50th webpage.
• Highest number of participation for the annual Graduate Diversity Forum.
• Successful campus collaboration for the first campus wide Tipping Point Summit.
• Diversity Art Exhibit raised funding for donations to CAMP fire survivors.

Highlights:

• EOP 50 ^th anniversary events—kick-off event focused on current students.
  EOP commenced the celebrations of our 50 ^th anniversary. In the spring 2019, we hosted our current students and campus alumni to enjoy a short program, cake and promotional stickers to mark this kick-off event. A more formal affair with take place this upcoming fall.

• Highest number of participation for the annual Graduate Diversity Forum –
  EOP coordinates the North State California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education. In 2017, 41 students signed up and only 30 attended the event at UC Merced.  In 2018, 46 students signed up and 36 students attended. In 2019, 46 signed up to participate. 39 students attended the event and an additional 18 students drove themselves to UC Davis for a grand total of 57 participants.

• Successful campus collaboration for the first campus wide Tipping Point Summit –
  On January 17, 2019 the divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs hosted a campus wide    Student Success Summit. Two EOSP employees were part of the planning committee. One of them co-presented.

Diversity Efforts:

• Participated and presented in the Inaugural “Women Like You” Symposium.
• Collaborated, planned, facilitated and participated in the campus-wide Tipping Point- Student Success Summit.
• Presented a workshop to the Inclusive Teaching Academy for faculty development on inclusive learning and teaching.
• Participated in the Asian Pacific Islander Diversity Summit.
• EOP Interns programmed a fall cultural event for CSUC students to participate in the annual Dia de los Muertos Altar.
• Presented and participated in PAUSE 2019—workshop presentation on API data.
• Women of Excellence (WOE) initiated focus groups to establish a female counterpart to Men of Chico.
• Presented to Men of Chico on diversity, equity, stereotypes, threats and biases.

III. Changes in policies and procedures

Summer Bridge – Summer Bridge 2019 successfully implemented for a second year the use of technology to help meet students’ academic needs. Initiated the use of both Remind and GroupMe apps to communicate with students during Summer Bridge and continue their use during the academic year.

IV. Resources summary

Note: EOP received base funding dollars for an SSP II position in 2018-2019. EOP is in the process of hiring this position during the summer. The remaining encumbered funds are for one-time projects that did not get spent in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Human Resources

• Cecilia Santillan-Robles applied for and was hired as the Early Outreach and Support Programs (EOSP) Director in March 2019, therefore leaving her EOP Associate Director position vacant. Vikki Bass applied for and was hired as the new EOP Associate Director in June 2019.
• Currently in the hiring process for an Admissions Specialist (SSPII).
• Due to continued increase in the number of completed applications and in order to meet the Admissions and Financial Aid timelines, EOP hired a special consultant in the spring to assist in reviewing admission files.

Facilities/Equipment

• Reserving rooms (especially large capacity rooms) and computer labs for Summer Bridge continues to be a challenge.
• The procedure of unlocking reserved rooms consistently and in a timely fashion continues to be a challenge.

V. Program Assessment of Past Year

Program Objectives for 2018-2019

1. EOP will continue to meet with all continuing students who are on academic probation.
   Ongoing – EOP Advisors and Interns focused on reaching out to EOP students on AP to meet with them on a regular basis to develop a plan of action for getting off of AP.

2. Increase contact and support of continuing students who are in good academic standing.
   Ongoing – EOP will increase intentional contact to all good academic standing students and offer programming to support their success. 

3. Enhance support for our first year students through communication via electronic technology.
   Met/Ongoing – EOP established use of two apps – REMIND and GroupMe to offer a mechanism to share information and send out reminders. These methods have proven to be effective in delivering our messaging to our students.

4. Focus on professional development and career readiness for our continuing EOP students.
   Ongoing – EOP has initiated more intentional collaboration with the Career Center. We will include language in our second year success contract to ensure students will meet with the Career Center and develop workshops focused on our students.

5. As a result of current staffing re-assignments, assess workloads and productivity and reorganize accordingly.
   Ongoing– EOP continues to adjust to the transitions that have occurred with the unit’s promotions and new members. Ongoing meetings to communicate transitions and expectations will help foster a smoother transition.

Ongoing Assessment Efforts:

Note: This is a new table for Graduation Initiative purposes.

Educational Opportunity Program

I. Mission Statement

The mission of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is to provide access and support services to first-generation college students who have experienced economic, educational, and/or environmental barriers, but display the potential to succeed in post-secondary education and to assist the university in the matriculation, retention, and graduation of EOP students.

Department Goals (Last reviewed July 2019):

1. EOP will provide a comprehensive program of support services that will enhance the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary for the academic success and the social and emotional personal development of EOP students. (Division goals 1, 2, 3; University strategic priorities 1, 3)
2. EOP will promote social, cultural, and ethnic diversity in the CSU, Chico campus population. (Division goal 2; University strategic priorities 4, 7, 8)
3. EOP will educate and inform students, faculty, and staff about program services and accomplishments. (Division goal 1, 2; University strategic priorities 1, 2, 4, 5, 8)
4. EOP professional staff will maintain currency in the fields of college student retention, academic advising and obstacles encountered by first-generation and other historically marginalized college students through memberships in professional organizations, reading appropriate research journals, and professional development opportunities. (Division goals 1, 2; 3; University strategic priorities 2, 4, 5, 8)
5. EOP will encourage student participation and involvement in the CSU, Chico campus community and the community of Chico as a whole. (Division goals 1, 2; University strategic priorities 1, 4, 6, 7, 8)

II. Department Accomplishments

• EOP 50 ^th anniversary events--Kick-off event focused on current students.
• Summer Bridge English Component created EOP 50th webpage.
• Highest number of participation for the annual Graduate Diversity Forum.
• Successful campus collaboration for the first campus wide Tipping Point Summit.
• Diversity Art Exhibit raised funding for donations to CAMP fire survivors.

Highlights:

• EOP 50 ^th anniversary events—kick-off event focused on current students.
  EOP commenced the celebrations of our 50 ^th anniversary. In the spring 2019, we hosted our current students and campus alumni to enjoy a short program, cake and promotional stickers to mark this kick-off event. A more formal affair with take place this upcoming fall.

• Highest number of participation for the annual Graduate Diversity Forum –
  EOP coordinates the North State California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education. In 2017, 41 students signed up and only 30 attended the event at UC Merced.  In 2018, 46 students signed up and 36 students attended. In 2019, 46 signed up to participate. 39 students attended the event and an additional 18 students drove themselves to UC Davis for a grand total of 57 participants.

• Successful campus collaboration for the first campus wide Tipping Point Summit –
  On January 17, 2019 the divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs hosted a campus wide    Student Success Summit. Two EOSP employees were part of the planning committee. One of them co-presented.

Diversity Efforts:

• Participated and presented in the Inaugural “Women Like You” Symposium.
• Collaborated, planned, facilitated and participated in the campus-wide Tipping Point- Student Success Summit.
• Presented a workshop to the Inclusive Teaching Academy for faculty development on inclusive learning and teaching.
• Participated in the Asian Pacific Islander Diversity Summit.
• EOP Interns programmed a fall cultural event for CSUC students to participate in the annual Dia de los Muertos Altar.
• Presented and participated in PAUSE 2019—workshop presentation on API data.
• Women of Excellence (WOE) initiated focus groups to establish a female counterpart to Men of Chico.
• Presented to Men of Chico on diversity, equity, stereotypes, threats and biases.

III. Changes in policies and procedures

Summer Bridge – Summer Bridge 2019 successfully implemented for a second year the use of technology to help meet students’ academic needs. Initiated the use of both Remind and GroupMe apps to communicate with students during Summer Bridge and continue their use during the academic year.

IV. Resources summary

Note: EOP received base funding dollars for an SSP II position in 2018-2019. EOP is in the process of hiring this position during the summer. The remaining encumbered funds are for one-time projects that did not get spent in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Human Resources

• Cecilia Santillan-Robles applied for and was hired as the Early Outreach and Support Programs (EOSP) Director in March 2019, therefore leaving her EOP Associate Director position vacant. Vikki Bass applied for and was hired as the new EOP Associate Director in June 2019.
• Currently in the hiring process for an Admissions Specialist (SSPII).
• Due to continued increase in the number of completed applications and in order to meet the Admissions and Financial Aid timelines, EOP hired a special consultant in the spring to assist in reviewing admission files.

Facilities/Equipment

• Reserving rooms (especially large capacity rooms) and computer labs for Summer Bridge continues to be a challenge.
• The procedure of unlocking reserved rooms consistently and in a timely fashion continues to be a challenge.

V. Program Assessment of Past Year

Program Objectives for 2018-2019

1. EOP will continue to meet with all continuing students who are on academic probation.
   Ongoing – EOP Advisors and Interns focused on reaching out to EOP students on AP to meet with them on a regular basis to develop a plan of action for getting off of AP.

2. Increase contact and support of continuing students who are in good academic standing.
   Ongoing – EOP will increase intentional contact to all good academic standing students and offer programming to support their success. 

3. Enhance support for our first year students through communication via electronic technology.
   Met/Ongoing – EOP established use of two apps – REMIND and GroupMe to offer a mechanism to share information and send out reminders. These methods have proven to be effective in delivering our messaging to our students.

4. Focus on professional development and career readiness for our continuing EOP students.
   Ongoing – EOP has initiated more intentional collaboration with the Career Center. We will include language in our second year success contract to ensure students will meet with the Career Center and develop workshops focused on our students.

5. As a result of current staffing re-assignments, assess workloads and productivity and reorganize accordingly.
   Ongoing– EOP continues to adjust to the transitions that have occurred with the unit’s promotions and new members. Ongoing meetings to communicate transitions and expectations will help foster a smoother transition.

Ongoing Assessment Efforts:

Note: This is a new table for Graduation Initiative purposes.

*Note: During the Spring 2015 semester, our lab check in system data got corrupted in the Cbord database. We had to replace the check in system and lost all of the data associated with that semester. **During the fall 2017 semester, the lab check in machine broke. The check in system had to be replaced and all of the data associated with the fall semester was lost.

Student Learning Outcomes

SLO #1 – As a result of participating in the English “Stretch Model”, students should be able to successfully pass ENGL 130. - This is the ninth year that ENGL 130 was moved to the spring semester. English faculty collaborated with the campus FYE program to create an English “stretch” model for students enrolled in the EOP Course Link for the fall and spring semesters. This past year, 98% of our first-year students passed ENGL 130 on their first attempt.

SLO #2 – As a result of participating in the “Reality Check 101” series, fewer students will be on academic probation after their first semester - EOP staff are constantly looking for ways to provide earlier intervention for students having academic difficulty. During the fall semester, students receiving two or more negative progress reports (C- or below), or were referred by their paraprofessional, had a negative service indicator (NSI) placed on their accounts. The NSI was not released until they attended a “Reality Check” workshop or made special arrangements. Nineteen students were required to attend the “Reality Check” workshop during the fall 2018 semester. This one-hour workshop, facilitated by EOP Advisors, was held in the fall and designed to strengthen academic performance and avoid academic probation at the end of the semester. Some of the workshop activities included:

• Helping students reflect on their academic performance
• Identifying challenges or obstacles, on and off campus, from fall semester
• Discussing academic probation (Chico or cumulative GPA below 2.0)
• Discussing reality of disqualification (Chico or cumulative GPA below 1.5 for students with less than 30 units)
• Goal setting by identifying three things the students will change to enhance their engagement and academic achievement.

Of the 19 students required to attend “Reality Check”, 19 completed the workshop or attended an individual meeting. Ten (52.7%) avoided academic probation; 9 (47.3%) finished the fall 2018 semester on academic probation.

SLO #3 – As a result of participating in “Fresh Start”, fewer students will be on academic probation after their first year. – EOP first-year students with a GPA below a 2.0 after their first semester are required to attend a series of workshops called “Fresh Start” in the spring. (This program was also extended to PATH Scholar first-year participants, however, the results below are only applicable to EOP students). The purpose of “Fresh Start” is to present a structured set of workshops that provide students on academic probation university policy information and an opportunity to explore social and emotional learning (SEL) so they can clear their academic standing with the university as well as increase their understanding of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and decision making, and how they inform their academics. Ninety-minute workshops were held for five weeks and facilitated by EOP Advisors and Paraprofessional Advisors. Workshop activities included:

Week 1 – Reflection – How did I get here? /AP and DQ information, Social Emotional Learning and Community Cultural Wealth
Week 2 – Personality Assessment, Growth Mindset, Grit, What is success to you?
Week 3 – Challenges and Obstacles, Values, Attributes and Shortcomings – Navigating Campus Resources, Academic/Classroom Strategies
Week 4 – Skills to Enhance Learning
Week 5 – Goal Setting

In spring 2019, 25 first-year students out of 195 were required to attend “Fresh Start”. This was 12.8% of first year students (compared to 23% in spring 2018, 23% in spring 2017, 16% in spring 2016, 12.1% in spring 2015, 15% in spring 2014, 11.4% in spring 2013; and 13% in spring 2012). Nine (42%) ended the semester in good academic standing (Chico GPA above 2.0), 4 (19%) improved yet remain on academic probation, 1 (4.7%) students improved but are in DQ range, while 4 (19%) students’ GPA’s declined and are in DQ range. In addition, 2 (9.5%) students improved their Chico GPA’s and were offered academic contracts through Academic Advising Programs. One was an Institutional Contract and the other a Special Contract.  Overall, 16 (76%) of the students improved their GPA.

*Averages for Fresh Start 2019 are based on 21 total students, as four of the 25 required to attend did not enroll for the spring semester.

SLO #4 – As a result of participating in the Expanded Summer Bridge program, students requiring math remediation will either score high enough on the ELM to move up to the next level of math or satisfy the Early Start remedial math requirement completely. – In Summer 2018, EO665 was replaced with EO1110 which meant we no longer have the ELM or EPT for students to test on. EO 1110 focuses on multiple measures to place students in their respective English and math level. We now focus on students satisfying early start by taking a math and English component during Summer Bridge.

VI. Analysis

• We need to continue to work with the entire team to help with transitions of new roles. The EOSP Director has been in a new position for only 2 months. The EOP Associate Director has been in her role for only one month. We need to organize to ensure appropriate workload and productivity. We are in the process of hiring an Admissions Specialist to start in the fall.
• Continue to review program analysis and outcomes to align with GI 2025.
• Since we are down an EOP Advisor, we are seeking a graduate intern to help with some of the projects and academic advising during drop-in times. This will alleviate some of the workload of the remaining staff.
• Because of our lower incoming class numbers, EOP had to reduce one section of the Course Link offered to all incoming EOP first-time freshmen. These sections foster a sense of community and belonging and hopefully enhance our persistence rates.
• EOP will need to readjust the number of seats we ask for in our Course Link sections as more students enter with college level credit coursework completed.
• EOP has a commitment to the original ideals of the program. We will need to continue to maximize efforts to prioritize our exceptional admit pool.
• Our EOP admissions process needs to keep pace with Admissions and Financial Aid timelines. Hiring supplemental assistance this past cycle was instrumental in meeting these deadlines. We will continue to look for ways to shorten the amount of time it takes to review files.
• We need to continue to provide more resources for our second-year students. They will continue to work closely with our student intern staff, and utilize some of the components from our EOP/FYE model. Our Second Year Success Program will continue to need additional resources to focus on social activities and programming.
• We need to focus more on life-after-college preparation for our students.
• We need to continue to be more intentional about educating the campus community on who our students are and the services we provide.
• As changes in remediation are implemented throughout the CSU system, we will need to anticipate how this will impact Summer Bridge and our first-time freshmen.
• The Summer Bridge format needs to be evaluated now that we have implemented EO 1110 and there is no more assessments (ELM) to be given.
• With the continued increase in first-generation college students and our program at capacity, we need to work with campus partners to find ways to serve more students overall.
• EOP implemented various assessments of the first-year students to get a better understanding of how they feel about being a college student, support they have received and thoughts of their future. We collect data from four electronic surveys: Summer Bridge Assessment, Early-First-Semester Survey, End-of-First-Semester Survey, and End-of-First-Year Survey. Data from all surveys indicate a majority of students are feeling confident, positive, and supported through EOP’s efforts. Peer mentors (Summer Bridge Resident Advisors and Paraprofessionals) receive the highest praise, while the fall and spring course links, EOP staff and Summer Bridge Mentors are also held in high regard.

VII. Program Objectives For 2019-2020

1. EOP will continue to meet with all continuing students who are on academic probation.
2. Enhance contact and support of continuing students who are in good academic standing.
3. Increase support for our first-year and second-year students through communication via electronic technology.
4. Implement professional development and career readiness for our continuing EOP students.
5. As a result of current staffing re-assignments, assess workloads and productivity and reorganize accordingly.

Educational Opportunity Program

I. Mission Statement

The mission of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is to provide access and support services to first-generation college students who have experienced economic, educational, and/or environmental barriers, but display the potential to succeed in post-secondary education and to assist the university in the matriculation, retention, and graduation of EOP students.

Department Goals (Last reviewed July 2019):

1. EOP will provide a comprehensive program of support services that will enhance the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary for the academic success and the social and emotional personal development of EOP students. (Division goals 1, 2, 3; University strategic priorities 1, 3)
2. EOP will promote social, cultural, and ethnic diversity in the CSU, Chico campus population. (Division goal 2; University strategic priorities 4, 7, 8)
3. EOP will educate and inform students, faculty, and staff about program services and accomplishments. (Division goal 1, 2; University strategic priorities 1, 2, 4, 5, 8)
4. EOP professional staff will maintain currency in the fields of college student retention, academic advising and obstacles encountered by first-generation and other historically marginalized college students through memberships in professional organizations, reading appropriate research journals, and professional development opportunities. (Division goals 1, 2; 3; University strategic priorities 2, 4, 5, 8)
5. EOP will encourage student participation and involvement in the CSU, Chico campus community and the community of Chico as a whole. (Division goals 1, 2; University strategic priorities 1, 4, 6, 7, 8)

II. Department Accomplishments

• EOP 50 ^th anniversary events--Kick-off event focused on current students.
• Summer Bridge English Component created EOP 50th webpage.
• Highest number of participation for the annual Graduate Diversity Forum.
• Successful campus collaboration for the first campus wide Tipping Point Summit.
• Diversity Art Exhibit raised funding for donations to CAMP fire survivors.

Highlights:

• EOP 50 ^th anniversary events—kick-off event focused on current students.
  EOP commenced the celebrations of our 50 ^th anniversary. In the spring 2019, we hosted our current students and campus alumni to enjoy a short program, cake and promotional stickers to mark this kick-off event. A more formal affair with take place this upcoming fall.

• Highest number of participation for the annual Graduate Diversity Forum –
  EOP coordinates the North State California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education. In 2017, 41 students signed up and only 30 attended the event at UC Merced.  In 2018, 46 students signed up and 36 students attended. In 2019, 46 signed up to participate. 39 students attended the event and an additional 18 students drove themselves to UC Davis for a grand total of 57 participants.

• Successful campus collaboration for the first campus wide Tipping Point Summit –
  On January 17, 2019 the divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs hosted a campus wide    Student Success Summit. Two EOSP employees were part of the planning committee. One of them co-presented.

Diversity Efforts:

• Participated and presented in the Inaugural “Women Like You” Symposium.
• Collaborated, planned, facilitated and participated in the campus-wide Tipping Point- Student Success Summit.
• Presented a workshop to the Inclusive Teaching Academy for faculty development on inclusive learning and teaching.
• Participated in the Asian Pacific Islander Diversity Summit.
• EOP Interns programmed a fall cultural event for CSUC students to participate in the annual Dia de los Muertos Altar.
• Presented and participated in PAUSE 2019—workshop presentation on API data.
• Women of Excellence (WOE) initiated focus groups to establish a female counterpart to Men of Chico.
• Presented to Men of Chico on diversity, equity, stereotypes, threats and biases.

III. Changes in policies and procedures

Summer Bridge – Summer Bridge 2019 successfully implemented for a second year the use of technology to help meet students’ academic needs. Initiated the use of both Remind and GroupMe apps to communicate with students during Summer Bridge and continue their use during the academic year.

IV. Resources summary

Note: EOP received base funding dollars for an SSP II position in 2018-2019. EOP is in the process of hiring this position during the summer. The remaining encumbered funds are for one-time projects that did not get spent in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Human Resources

• Cecilia Santillan-Robles applied for and was hired as the Early Outreach and Support Programs (EOSP) Director in March 2019, therefore leaving her EOP Associate Director position vacant. Vikki Bass applied for and was hired as the new EOP Associate Director in June 2019.
• Currently in the hiring process for an Admissions Specialist (SSPII).
• Due to continued increase in the number of completed applications and in order to meet the Admissions and Financial Aid timelines, EOP hired a special consultant in the spring to assist in reviewing admission files.

Facilities/Equipment

• Reserving rooms (especially large capacity rooms) and computer labs for Summer Bridge continues to be a challenge.
• The procedure of unlocking reserved rooms consistently and in a timely fashion continues to be a challenge.

V. Program Assessment of Past Year

Program Objectives for 2018-2019

1. EOP will continue to meet with all continuing students who are on academic probation.
   Ongoing – EOP Advisors and Interns focused on reaching out to EOP students on AP to meet with them on a regular basis to develop a plan of action for getting off of AP.

2. Increase contact and support of continuing students who are in good academic standing.
   Ongoing – EOP will increase intentional contact to all good academic standing students and offer programming to support their success. 

3. Enhance support for our first year students through communication via electronic technology.
   Met/Ongoing – EOP established use of two apps – REMIND and GroupMe to offer a mechanism to share information and send out reminders. These methods have proven to be effective in delivering our messaging to our students.

4. Focus on professional development and career readiness for our continuing EOP students.
   Ongoing – EOP has initiated more intentional collaboration with the Career Center. We will include language in our second year success contract to ensure students will meet with the Career Center and develop workshops focused on our students.

5. As a result of current staffing re-assignments, assess workloads and productivity and reorganize accordingly.
   Ongoing– EOP continues to adjust to the transitions that have occurred with the unit’s promotions and new members. Ongoing meetings to communicate transitions and expectations will help foster a smoother transition.

Ongoing Assessment Efforts:

Note: This is a new table for Graduation Initiative purposes.

*Note: During the Spring 2015 semester, our lab check in system data got corrupted in the Cbord database. We had to replace the check in system and lost all of the data associated with that semester. **During the fall 2017 semester, the lab check in machine broke. The check in system had to be replaced and all of the data associated with the fall semester was lost.

Student Learning Outcomes

SLO #1 – As a result of participating in the English “Stretch Model”, students should be able to successfully pass ENGL 130. - This is the ninth year that ENGL 130 was moved to the spring semester. English faculty collaborated with the campus FYE program to create an English “stretch” model for students enrolled in the EOP Course Link for the fall and spring semesters. This past year, 98% of our first-year students passed ENGL 130 on their first attempt.

SLO #2 – As a result of participating in the “Reality Check 101” series, fewer students will be on academic probation after their first semester - EOP staff are constantly looking for ways to provide earlier intervention for students having academic difficulty. During the fall semester, students receiving two or more negative progress reports (C- or below), or were referred by their paraprofessional, had a negative service indicator (NSI) placed on their accounts. The NSI was not released until they attended a “Reality Check” workshop or made special arrangements. Nineteen students were required to attend the “Reality Check” workshop during the fall 2018 semester. This one-hour workshop, facilitated by EOP Advisors, was held in the fall and designed to strengthen academic performance and avoid academic probation at the end of the semester. Some of the workshop activities included:

• Helping students reflect on their academic performance
• Identifying challenges or obstacles, on and off campus, from fall semester
• Discussing academic probation (Chico or cumulative GPA below 2.0)
• Discussing reality of disqualification (Chico or cumulative GPA below 1.5 for students with less than 30 units)
• Goal setting by identifying three things the students will change to enhance their engagement and academic achievement.

Of the 19 students required to attend “Reality Check”, 19 completed the workshop or attended an individual meeting. Ten (52.7%) avoided academic probation; 9 (47.3%) finished the fall 2018 semester on academic probation.

SLO #3 – As a result of participating in “Fresh Start”, fewer students will be on academic probation after their first year. – EOP first-year students with a GPA below a 2.0 after their first semester are required to attend a series of workshops called “Fresh Start” in the spring. (This program was also extended to PATH Scholar first-year participants, however, the results below are only applicable to EOP students). The purpose of “Fresh Start” is to present a structured set of workshops that provide students on academic probation university policy information and an opportunity to explore social and emotional learning (SEL) so they can clear their academic standing with the university as well as increase their understanding of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and decision making, and how they inform their academics. Ninety-minute workshops were held for five weeks and facilitated by EOP Advisors and Paraprofessional Advisors. Workshop activities included:

Week 1 – Reflection – How did I get here? /AP and DQ information, Social Emotional Learning and Community Cultural Wealth
Week 2 – Personality Assessment, Growth Mindset, Grit, What is success to you?
Week 3 – Challenges and Obstacles, Values, Attributes and Shortcomings – Navigating Campus Resources, Academic/Classroom Strategies
Week 4 – Skills to Enhance Learning
Week 5 – Goal Setting

In spring 2019, 25 first-year students out of 195 were required to attend “Fresh Start”. This was 12.8% of first year students (compared to 23% in spring 2018, 23% in spring 2017, 16% in spring 2016, 12.1% in spring 2015, 15% in spring 2014, 11.4% in spring 2013; and 13% in spring 2012). Nine (42%) ended the semester in good academic standing (Chico GPA above 2.0), 4 (19%) improved yet remain on academic probation, 1 (4.7%) students improved but are in DQ range, while 4 (19%) students’ GPA’s declined and are in DQ range. In addition, 2 (9.5%) students improved their Chico GPA’s and were offered academic contracts through Academic Advising Programs. One was an Institutional Contract and the other a Special Contract.  Overall, 16 (76%) of the students improved their GPA.

*Averages for Fresh Start 2019 are based on 21 total students, as four of the 25 required to attend did not enroll for the spring semester.

SLO #4 – As a result of participating in the Expanded Summer Bridge program, students requiring math remediation will either score high enough on the ELM to move up to the next level of math or satisfy the Early Start remedial math requirement completely. – In Summer 2018, EO665 was replaced with EO1110 which meant we no longer have the ELM or EPT for students to test on. EO 1110 focuses on multiple measures to place students in their respective English and math level. We now focus on students satisfying early start by taking a math and English component during Summer Bridge.

VI. Analysis

• We need to continue to work with the entire team to help with transitions of new roles. The EOSP Director has been in a new position for only 2 months. The EOP Associate Director has been in her role for only one month. We need to organize to ensure appropriate workload and productivity. We are in the process of hiring an Admissions Specialist to start in the fall.
• Continue to review program analysis and outcomes to align with GI 2025.
• Since we are down an EOP Advisor, we are seeking a graduate intern to help with some of the projects and academic advising during drop-in times. This will alleviate some of the workload of the remaining staff.
• Because of our lower incoming class numbers, EOP had to reduce one section of the Course Link offered to all incoming EOP first-time freshmen. These sections foster a sense of community and belonging and hopefully enhance our persistence rates.
• EOP will need to readjust the number of seats we ask for in our Course Link sections as more students enter with college level credit coursework completed.
• EOP has a commitment to the original ideals of the program. We will need to continue to maximize efforts to prioritize our exceptional admit pool.
• Our EOP admissions process needs to keep pace with Admissions and Financial Aid timelines. Hiring supplemental assistance this past cycle was instrumental in meeting these deadlines. We will continue to look for ways to shorten the amount of time it takes to review files.
• We need to continue to provide more resources for our second-year students. They will continue to work closely with our student intern staff, and utilize some of the components from our EOP/FYE model. Our Second Year Success Program will continue to need additional resources to focus on social activities and programming.
• We need to focus more on life-after-college preparation for our students.
• We need to continue to be more intentional about educating the campus community on who our students are and the services we provide.
• As changes in remediation are implemented throughout the CSU system, we will need to anticipate how this will impact Summer Bridge and our first-time freshmen.
• The Summer Bridge format needs to be evaluated now that we have implemented EO 1110 and there is no more assessments (ELM) to be given.
• With the continued increase in first-generation college students and our program at capacity, we need to work with campus partners to find ways to serve more students overall.
• EOP implemented various assessments of the first-year students to get a better understanding of how they feel about being a college student, support they have received and thoughts of their future. We collect data from four electronic surveys: Summer Bridge Assessment, Early-First-Semester Survey, End-of-First-Semester Survey, and End-of-First-Year Survey. Data from all surveys indicate a majority of students are feeling confident, positive, and supported through EOP’s efforts. Peer mentors (Summer Bridge Resident Advisors and Paraprofessionals) receive the highest praise, while the fall and spring course links, EOP staff and Summer Bridge Mentors are also held in high regard.

VII. Program Objectives For 2019-2020

1. EOP will continue to meet with all continuing students who are on academic probation.
2. Enhance contact and support of continuing students who are in good academic standing.
3. Increase support for our first-year and second-year students through communication via electronic technology.
4. Implement professional development and career readiness for our continuing EOP students.
5. As a result of current staffing re-assignments, assess workloads and productivity and reorganize accordingly.

Educational Opportunity Program

I. Mission Statement

The mission of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is to provide access and support services to first-generation college students who have experienced economic, educational, and/or environmental barriers, but display the potential to succeed in post-secondary education and to assist the university in the matriculation, retention, and graduation of EOP students.

Department Goals (Last reviewed July 2019):

1. EOP will provide a comprehensive program of support services that will enhance the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary for the academic success and the social and emotional personal development of EOP students. (Division goals 1, 2, 3; University strategic priorities 1, 3)
2. EOP will promote social, cultural, and ethnic diversity in the CSU, Chico campus population. (Division goal 2; University strategic priorities 4, 7, 8)
3. EOP will educate and inform students, faculty, and staff about program services and accomplishments. (Division goal 1, 2; University strategic priorities 1, 2, 4, 5, 8)
4. EOP professional staff will maintain currency in the fields of college student retention, academic advising and obstacles encountered by first-generation and other historically marginalized college students through memberships in professional organizations, reading appropriate research journals, and professional development opportunities. (Division goals 1, 2; 3; University strategic priorities 2, 4, 5, 8)
5. EOP will encourage student participation and involvement in the CSU, Chico campus community and the community of Chico as a whole. (Division goals 1, 2; University strategic priorities 1, 4, 6, 7, 8)

II. Department Accomplishments

• EOP 50 ^th anniversary events--Kick-off event focused on current students.
• Summer Bridge English Component created EOP 50th webpage.
• Highest number of participation for the annual Graduate Diversity Forum.
• Successful campus collaboration for the first campus wide Tipping Point Summit.
• Diversity Art Exhibit raised funding for donations to CAMP fire survivors.

Highlights:

• EOP 50 ^th anniversary events—kick-off event focused on current students.
  EOP commenced the celebrations of our 50 ^th anniversary. In the spring 2019, we hosted our current students and campus alumni to enjoy a short program, cake and promotional stickers to mark this kick-off event. A more formal affair with take place this upcoming fall.

• Highest number of participation for the annual Graduate Diversity Forum –
  EOP coordinates the North State California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education. In 2017, 41 students signed up and only 30 attended the event at UC Merced.  In 2018, 46 students signed up and 36 students attended. In 2019, 46 signed up to participate. 39 students attended the event and an additional 18 students drove themselves to UC Davis for a grand total of 57 participants.

• Successful campus collaboration for the first campus wide Tipping Point Summit –
  On January 17, 2019 the divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs hosted a campus wide    Student Success Summit. Two EOSP employees were part of the planning committee. One of them co-presented.

Diversity Efforts:

• Participated and presented in the Inaugural “Women Like You” Symposium.
• Collaborated, planned, facilitated and participated in the campus-wide Tipping Point- Student Success Summit.
• Presented a workshop to the Inclusive Teaching Academy for faculty development on inclusive learning and teaching.
• Participated in the Asian Pacific Islander Diversity Summit.
• EOP Interns programmed a fall cultural event for CSUC students to participate in the annual Dia de los Muertos Altar.
• Presented and participated in PAUSE 2019—workshop presentation on API data.
• Women of Excellence (WOE) initiated focus groups to establish a female counterpart to Men of Chico.
• Presented to Men of Chico on diversity, equity, stereotypes, threats and biases.

III. Changes in policies and procedures

Summer Bridge – Summer Bridge 2019 successfully implemented for a second year the use of technology to help meet students’ academic needs. Initiated the use of both Remind and GroupMe apps to communicate with students during Summer Bridge and continue their use during the academic year.

IV. Resources summary

Note: EOP received base funding dollars for an SSP II position in 2018-2019. EOP is in the process of hiring this position during the summer. The remaining encumbered funds are for one-time projects that did not get spent in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Human Resources

• Cecilia Santillan-Robles applied for and was hired as the Early Outreach and Support Programs (EOSP) Director in March 2019, therefore leaving her EOP Associate Director position vacant. Vikki Bass applied for and was hired as the new EOP Associate Director in June 2019.
• Currently in the hiring process for an Admissions Specialist (SSPII).
• Due to continued increase in the number of completed applications and in order to meet the Admissions and Financial Aid timelines, EOP hired a special consultant in the spring to assist in reviewing admission files.

Facilities/Equipment

• Reserving rooms (especially large capacity rooms) and computer labs for Summer Bridge continues to be a challenge.
• The procedure of unlocking reserved rooms consistently and in a timely fashion continues to be a challenge.

V. Program Assessment of Past Year

Program Objectives for 2018-2019

1. EOP will continue to meet with all continuing students who are on academic probation.
   Ongoing – EOP Advisors and Interns focused on reaching out to EOP students on AP to meet with them on a regular basis to develop a plan of action for getting off of AP.

2. Increase contact and support of continuing students who are in good academic standing.
   Ongoing – EOP will increase intentional contact to all good academic standing students and offer programming to support their success. 

3. Enhance support for our first year students through communication via electronic technology.
   Met/Ongoing – EOP established use of two apps – REMIND and GroupMe to offer a mechanism to share information and send out reminders. These methods have proven to be effective in delivering our messaging to our students.

4. Focus on professional development and career readiness for our continuing EOP students.
   Ongoing – EOP has initiated more intentional collaboration with the Career Center. We will include language in our second year success contract to ensure students will meet with the Career Center and develop workshops focused on our students.

5. As a result of current staffing re-assignments, assess workloads and productivity and reorganize accordingly.
   Ongoing– EOP continues to adjust to the transitions that have occurred with the unit’s promotions and new members. Ongoing meetings to communicate transitions and expectations will help foster a smoother transition.

Ongoing Assessment Efforts:

Note: This is a new table for Graduation Initiative purposes.