: Posted by Commodore Jack Dipper (Academy Commandant) in Agenda
: So, this is it - the much awaited for agenda. Two discussions will be happening at the same time and should be contained in the same thread, using the title "Discussion: ...". While most of the time we will be sticking to the agenda, we obviously will be allowing extra time to discussions that require it and wrapping up discussions earlier if need be. Also, we might throw in a third topic if it is not that significant, we need to gauge the reaction to us making a new staff appointment (hint, hint <G>), or we need to get it discussed as a priority. The agenda only takes us to the middle of the term as we'll then re-evaluate closer to the time on what is a priority.
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: So, without further ado, the agenda for the next few months:
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: Academy Newsletter
: Start Date: 10 Oct 08 Finish Date: 24 Oct 08
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: In order to improve communication between the Academy and other members, a newsletter will be compiled once a month. Information will include an IC mission update for each ship (hopefully written by a cadet!) and appointments and graduations within the Academy. This is your chance to say what else you would like to see in there.
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Might I suggest a DH Cadet for this? One that is actually present during the majority of the sim, a new Cadet that is just learning the ropes really has no clue yet<VBG>.

: Cadet Development:
: Start Date: 10 Oct 08 Finish Date: 8 Nov 08
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: There is concern that the Academy does not provide enough structured feedback to all of the cadets both during the mission and at the end of it. To that end, a system is going to be put in place to better facilitate this and make the Academy more of a training environment than a 3 month mission. There are, however, some questions:
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: 1. What format should the feedback take? (i.e. should it be a word document, email, PM, etc).
: 2. When should the feedback occur?
: 3. What should be contained in the feedback?
: 4. Should the cadet have to say what they are going to do with the feedback?
: 5. Should there be a way of highlighting cadets that need extra work and cadets that are exceptional to the Academy Commandant?
: 6. Who is permitted to see the feedback?
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I think we do need to clarify here who this for to be able to answer the majority of the questions. If it is for the Commandant then the feedback would be one way but if for the Cadet it might be entirely different, as it would then be skewed to offer encouragement and constructive criticism.

: STF Q&A Ship
: Start Date: 25 Oct 08 Finish Date: 8 Nov 08
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: Given that the Q&A ship has been under used, and that WeBBspace allows for threading of notes, should the function it provides be rolled into the Academy HQ and the ship closed?
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I think moving it to the Academy Headquarters makes sense as those that may have questions are new members or Cadets.

: Retention
: Start Date: 9 Nov 08 Finish Date: 6 Dec 08
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: Yes, the nasty R word. Retention is still a big factor in the Academy. 80% of those who AWOL from the Academy never post. How can we reduce this number?
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: Jack

Retention...yes, the major concern of every Academy CO. I myself noted how high the turnover rate is. On my end I have worked hard with the my Cadet DH's to ensure the welcome letters to Cadets is prompt and includes helpful information on how to read and make their first post. Feedback from cadets that I am getting is that it is very confusing for them on how to make their first post. I think it has been made more confusing by the 'new post' button being put above the roster instead of on the Notes page. I think this is something we need to look into.

On another subject...how is the formating of the Player's Handbook coming along?

Ft. Cpt Krys Bromilow