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Southern Delaware Academy of Lifelong Learning Southern Delaware Academy of Lifelong Learning University of Delaware

Five Year Plan

Outline for Five Year Long Range Plan

  1. History
  2. Demographics
  3. Mission
  4. Core Philosophy
  5. Goals/Implementation/Evaluation

I. SDALL History

The Southern Delaware Academy of Lifelong Learning was established in 1989 as part of the University of Delaware's Continuing Education Division. Courses were first offered in Milford, and in 1993, SDALL moved to the Virden Center on the College of Marine Studies campus in Lewes. It remained there until the fall of 2001 when it relocated to the Biden Conference Center at Cape Henlopen State Park. In the fall of 2003, the Academy moved to the Lewes Middle School where it currently remains.

SDALL opened with 58 members in the first year and by the spring of 2004 had a registration of 357 members plus 18 teachers some of whom did not attend classes.


II. SDALL Demographics

Membership of over 350 members is drawn predominantly from Sussex County, with less than 5% coming from outside the county. Sussex County has grown 38% from 1990 - 2000 with rapid growth continuing in the period 2000 - 2004, particularly in Eastern Sussex.

71% or more of the members reside in the Lewes-Rehoboth area.

The average age of members is 68 years and approximately 70% of members are female.

91% are college educated with 42% having graduate education.

Enrollment currently at 345 (students) plus 18 (teachers only) is conservatively forecasted to be over 450 by 2009.


III. Mission

The mission of the Southern Delaware Academy of Lifelong Learning is to operate a self sustaining and self governing cooperative educational community that fosters, promotes and provides intellectual, cultural and art-of-living learning experiences in a supportive social environment for mature adults in southern Delaware.


IV. SDALL Core Philosophy

  1. Learning process -- SDALL shall adhere to sound adult learning principles with priority on active participation of the learner in the learning process, and with the use of needs analysis and program evaluations.

  2. Member involvement -- SDALL members are encouraged to participate in a wide scope of activities such as instruction, committees and governance of the Academy, including at least attendance at the semi-annual business meetings.

  3. Governance -- SDALL shall be governed by a nine member council elected from the membership according to the by-laws.

  4. Locale -- SDALL shall maintain its campus central to the community it serves.

  5. Collegiality -- SDALL shall maintain a collegial atmosphere and a sense of community among its members.


V. Goals/Implementation/Evaluation

  1. Membership / Marketing

    Goals

    Maximize membership maintenance and outreach efforts to achieve a membership of 450 that is inclusive of all social, economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds in Southern Delaware.

    Implementation

    1. Expand the charges to the Community Awareness committee to include a strong emphasis on membership.

    2. Encourage the active involvement of members on committees and planning groups.

    3. Increase community awareness of SDALL, its mission and programs through:

      1. Collaborative relationships.

      2. Creative use of SDALL web site

      3. Distributions of brochures and catalogs to libraries, real estate offices, Churches, cultural and service organizations.

    4. Continue to keep members informed through appropriate and timely communications.

    5. Establish a "Speakers Bureau" that could share the expertise of SDALL members with the community.

    6. Establish an orientation program for speakers to enable them to effectively promote SDALL.

    Evaluation

    1. Record the number of web site contacts and assess the nature of the inquiries.

    2. Record the nature of activities and joint endeavors with local organization and assess their results.

    3. Report and analyze all membership statistics annually to assess progress toward goal.

  2. Site Location

    Goals

    Obtain a permanent location for the Academy.

    Implementation

    The Council shall continue to explore all opportunities to have a permanent home in the Lewes /Rehoboth area, including:

    1. Continuing liaison with Cape Henlopen School District officials with a view to achieving permanence in the Lewes School or the current Consortium building.

    2. Continuing liaison with the Southern Delaware Center for Arts and Humanities to ascertain the feasibility of building or buying a cultural center in Eastern Sussex, and the possible fit or role of the Academy in any such plans.

    3. Using the Long Range Planning Committee to explore the cost/benefit of any proposed permanent location.

    Evaluation

    1. Facilities shall be adequate to accommodate future growth and for a wide variety of class needs, including a library and a lounge area for socializing. Facilities shall include appropriate office and equipment storage space. Try to acquire a larger space for physical activities such as dancing, tai chi, yoga etc., and large lecture hall.

    2. At the end of five years SDALL will be in a location with a long term commitment.

  3. Financial

    Goal

    Meet the financial objectives of SDALL.

    Implementation

    1. Develop an annual operating budget.

    2. Establish membership fees commensurate with the financial requirements of the operating budget.

    3. Encourage contributions to the Scholarship Fund to support our membership goals.

    4. Prepare capital expenditure plan and encourage contributions to gift fund to acquire items needed.

      Evaluation

      Books shall be balanced at the end of each fiscal year.

  4. Curriculum and Schedules

    Goal

    Offer intellectually stimulating, diverse and innovative programs throughout the year.

    Implementation

    1. Academic affairs committee shall explore restructuring classes to benefit instructors and members. Options include lengthening or shortening classes or semesters or operating a four day week.

    2. Encourage special seminars and field trips.

    3. Provide training for instructors, especially in use of audio/visual aids and other equipment.

    4. Explore possibilities of distance learning opportunities.

    5. Recruit additional faculty.


    Evaluation

    1. Assess level of extracurricular activity during calendar year.

    2. Assess member/instructor feedback.

Revised 9/04

 

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