BACKGROUND: A thorough review of evaluative data was completed and analyzed in Summer of 1998.  The results  dictated that San Antonio College (SAC) needed to intensify its working relationships with inner-city schools and other entities within our community.

As a starting point, we surveyed high school counselors, students, teachers and others to determine how we could improve our services so that (a) the transition from high school to college could be facilitated for seniors, (b) a sound system of communication could be developed and maintained between area high schools and SAC, and (c) focus could be placed on activities that address assessed needs.  By way of the feedback received, we were informed that certain things were crucial, namely:

*      Our presence needed to be established and maintained at area high schools
*      Succinct orientation needed to be conducted to explain the numerous educational programs
        available at SAC
*      Correct information needed to be provided concerning all aspects of the admissions process
*      Timely assistance needed to be rendered to complete the Financial Aid Application
*      SAC Counselors needed to continue to provide course-placement advice; academic counseling;
        guidance; and facts about TASP (Texas Academic Skills Program) and other aspects of assessment
*      SAC needed a more student-friendly registration process
*      All these services needed to be delivered at times and places convenient to high school seniors,
        counselors and parents.  This meant on-site at the high schools during weekday evenings, Saturday
        mornings and other appropriate times

SAC personnel took initial action in Fall 1998/Spring 1999 and proceeded to visit twenty-one (21) high schools and provided various student-support services.  From among over twelve hundred (1200) students served, approximately six hundred (600) enrolled at SAC.  Many others attended other colleges/universities.

UPDATE:  SAC has gradually expanded its MOR activities.  Following are twelve (12) Major Undertakings currently in place.

UNDERTAKING # 1: College Access Project for High School Seniors (CAPHSS).  Each of  forty-four (44) Targeted High Schools are served on-site with Transitioning Services  provided by Mobile Teams comprised of Faculty (Counselors), Professional Personnel, Classified Staff and Student Workers.  Transitioning Services include:  outreach, contact, follow-up, presentations, orientation, admissions and residency, financial aid information, assessment, general guidance, course-placement advice, academic and career counseling, need-based student-support services, registration, bursar assistance - third party billing/on-site payment, and et cetera.  Faculty (Counselors) constitute the mainstay of the Workforce for Mobile Teams coordinated by the CAPHSS.  Much indispensable assistance is provided by personnel from other departments including Counseling Department, Academic Departments, Admissions and Records, TASP Office, Assessment Center and Financial Aid Office.
Undertaking 1 Coordinator: Jon R. Anderson, X 2138

UNDERTAKING # 2: College Access Project for Corporate World/Business Community (CAPCBC).  Currently, the CAPCBC is working with twenty-four (24) local corporations and business entities that have solid Employee Tuition Assistance Programs and that promote educational opportunities for their workers.  Transitioning Services are provided by Mobile Teams comprised of Faculty (Counselors), Professional Personnel, Classified Staff and Student Workers.  Transitioning Services include:  outreach, contact, follow-up, presentations, orientation, admissions and residency, financial aid information, assessment, general guidance, course-placement advice, academic and career counseling, need-based student-support services, registration, bursar assistance - third party billing/on-site payment, etc.  Faculty (Counselors) constitute the mainstay of the Workforce Mobile Teams coordinated by the CAPCBC.  Much indispensable assistance is provided by personnel from other departments including Counseling Department, Academic Departments, Admissions and Records, TASP Office, Assessment Center and Financial Aid Office.
Undertaking 2 Coordinator:  Sara V. Samano, X 2341

UNDERTAKING # 3: San Antonio Prefreshmen Engineering Program (PREP).  Over one thousand (1000) students graduated last summer from PREP sponsored by the University of Texas at San Antonio.  Of those, approximately five hundred ninety-eight (598) are seniors (class of 2003).  We have names, addresses and phone numbers of those students.  Each year, we develop an informative forum which includes refreshments/luncheon and formally invite the five hundred ninety-eight (598) and their families to the activity on-campus and encourage them to consider SAC.
Undertaking 3 Coordinator: Rosa Maria Gonzalez, X 2984

UNDERTAKING # 4: Young Women’s Conference/Young Men’s Conference.  Between 500 and 700 juniors/seniors primarily from inner-city schools and alternative schools are be brought on-campus for a one-day conference.  Via motivational speakers, workshops, fellowship forums, refreshments/luncheon, all activities are geared to promote class attendance, character development, studenting skills, academic productivity, leadership development, self-esteem, and career/higher education options.  In 2002/2003, the event (19th Annual Young Women's Conference/6th Annual Young Men's Conference) will award over $140,000 in scholarships.
Undertaking 4 Coordinator: Dr. Mary Helen Vera, X 2299

UNDERTAKING # 5: San Antonio Education Partnership (SAEP).  Official partners include the City of San Antonio, Corporate/Business entities, nine (9) area higher-education institutions, fifteen (15) inner-city high schools within seven (7) districts.  Overall, our Service Area (Bexar County) contains fifteen (15) Independent School Districts totaling over forty-four (44) different high schools.  In addition, there are nine (9) private schools.  The SAEP guarantees a scholarship to college to each eligible student from aforementioned fifteen (15) high schools.  To be eligible,  each student must maintain a 95%  attendance from freshman through senior year, maintain an 80 grade point average during the sophomore thru senior years and pass the state-mandated Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) test.  SAC enrolls more SAEP students than any other partnership institution.  Therefore, the SAEP Campus-based Initiative was developed to provide for SAEP students comprehensive, need-based support-services.
Undertaking 5 Coordinator: Rosa Maria Gonzalez, X 2984

UNDERTAKING # 6: Summer Senior Program (SSP).  Up until recently, graduates from the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) could not attend Summer Session I at SAC because their graduation date occurred after Summer Session I began.  The Dean of Evening, Weekend and Distance Education and the Chairperson of the Government Department developed and implemented a special summer session for them.  The program was extremely successful in providing access.  Although the graduation date is no longer a factor, the SSP has continued and has been enriched with several improvements.
Undertaking 6 Coordinator: Jon R. Anderson, X 2138

UNDERTAKING # 7: Summer Enrichment Program - Center for Health Policy Development.  Approximately sixty (60) disadvantaged high school seniors are encouraged to pursue health careers.  The Summer Bridge Program allows them to enroll, earn semester-hours, receive comprehensive student-support services and plan for the subsequent Fall Semester.
Undertaking 7 Coordinator: Rosa Maria Gonzalez, X 2984

UNDERTAKING # 8: Special Populations Groups A (Market Segment for Women's Center).  Continuation of focus on community-based organizations that encourage participants to pursue education.  Emphasis is placed on single parents, displaced homemakers, adult learners, welfare-to-work program participants, GED graduates and others whose educational process has been halted, delayed or interrupted by some circumstance.  Services include outreach, recruitment, transitioning services and other support services.
Undertaking 8 Coordinator: Dr. Mary Helen Vera, X 2299

UNDERTAKING # 9: Special Populations Groups B (Market Segment for disABILITY Support Services).  Continuation of  focus on individuals who receive educational benefits from agencies such as Texas Rehabilitation Commission, State Commission for the Blind and San Antonio Independent Living Services.
Undertaking 9 Coordinator: Maria T. Gomez, X 2350

UNDERTAKING # 10: Special Populations Groups C (Market Segment for Veterans' Affairs).  Continuation of focus on outreach, recruitment, transitioning services and other support services for veterans and eligible dependents.
Undertaking 10 Coordinator: James M. DeMasi, X 2327

UNDERTAKING # 11: Special Populations Groups D (Market Segment for International Students' Services).  Continuation of focus on foreign students who are here on visas such as F1 (Student Visa), H1 (Temporary Worker Visa), K1 (Fiance of a U. S. Citizen Visa), and TN (Professional Under North American Free Trade Agreement Visa) and et cetera.  Services include outreach, recruitment, transitioning services and other support services.
Undertaking 11 Coordinator: Suzanna Borawski, X 6057

UNDERTAKING # 12: Continuation of focus on applicable support services for Distance Education students.
Director: Helen Torres, X 2145

NOTE:  In addition to the twelve (12) Major Undertakings, SAC proactively and consistently participates in other outreach and recruiting endeavors such as:

* College Day/Night Programs sanctioned by Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions
Officers (TACRAO).
* Responds to numerous requests for information and/or services by non-targeted high schools in Bexar and surrounding Counties.
* Other opportunities as they arise.

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