2020 Virtual Case Study (VCS) Scenario & Judging Criteria
CASE STUDY SCENARIO
“Do you know what today’s staff meeting is about,” asked Pat, Director of Residence Life at Fontville College.
“I don’t think we got an agenda,” responded Alex, the Director of the campus Mental Health Resource Center.
“Well, I hope it’s not too long,” said Jamie, Coordinator of Student Activities. “I have a major concert coming up and too many loose ends to tie up.”
“I guess we’ll find out,” sighed Morgan, the head of campus dining. “Always an adventure.”
The four Directors filed into the conference room within the Division of Student Affairs. There, Tracy Sloane, the longtime Dean of Students at Fontville awaited her staff. “Good morning,” she said. “How’s everyone doing on this fine day?” The quartet nodded their heads in unison as they shuffled to their chairs. “I’m sorry I didn’t send out an agenda ahead of time, but it isn’t a long one. In fact, we just have one item to talk about.” There was a momentary pause as the Directors waited for the sole topic to be revealed. “I want to discuss food insecurity on our campus,” she said.
“Food what?” questioned Jamie.
“Food insecurity,” replied Pat. “Its become a hot topic around the country on campuses.”
I think I saw something on the nightly news the other night,” commented Morgan.
It is becoming a pervasive problem and Fontville is no exception,” said the Dean. “I just read a new government report that says millions of college students are going hungry.”
So, what does that have to do with us,” asked Alex, always the task-oriented member of the group.
The President is concerned,” started Dean Sloane. “And when the President becomes concerned we become concerned. “Just from our initial conversation there’s a mix of understanding of food insecurity. I would imagine most of the campus is like that. The problem is out there, just not in plain site. The President wants our group to start tacking the issue.”
What can we do?” said Morgan of dining services. “Does he want us to just open up the kitchen doors. That would be a bit costly.”
Nothing like that,” soothed the Dean. “He wants a two-pronged plan. First, to educate. What is food insecurity? Why is there food insecurity? Etc. The President would like us to create a 15-20 slide Powerpoint presentation that could be brought to faculty and departmental meetings, used in the residence halls, and maybe some classes.”
What about student clubs and organizations,” said Jamie from Student Activities.
And sports teams,” added Alex.
Speaking of sports,” said Pat. “Do you remember a few years ago, there was a basketball player from the University of Connecticut who complained how he was going hungry? I remember thinking how could a basketball player on scholarship be hungry.”
That’s the point,” replied the Dean. It is out there, but the problem is now bubbling to the surface. We want to be proactive. So, part one is coming up with an informative and not boring Powerpoint. The second part of our charge is to come up with a program or activity that specifically addresses food insecurity.”
What type of program is he looking for,” said Jamie.
Totally up to the committee. Do we feel a food pantry is appropriate? Reduced meal plans? Donating meals? A fresh food truck? It is up to the committee. The President has earmarked $3,000 dollars for this effort.”
That’s not a lot of money,” stated Alex.
You’re right,” said Dean Sloane. “But the point is not to solve food insecurity in one swoop, but to start thinking of programs that would fit our campus and then to build upon them. He also wants us, and I hate this term, to think out of the box. We have three weeks.”
Not much time,” moaned Morgan.
I assured him we can meet his deadline. You can start right now since I am officially ending this week’s staff meeting.”
JUDGING CRITERIA
Judges will be utilizing the following criteria when evaluating presentations.
- innovation of approach
- use of literature both within and outside student affairs
- organization of presentation
- rationalization for chosen responses
- practicality of approach
- usefulness of the information presented
- educational value to Student Affairs