Marketing Committee Minutes

Marketing Committee Minutes - January 12, 2010

Members:

Ranessa Ashton, Jane Signago-Cox, Doug Elliot/Theresa Ortiz, Ron H. Flores, Diane Goldberg, Greg Laskaris, Holly Leahy, Rich McGirr, Lily Mino, Paul Richard, Martin P. Smith

Members absent:

Greg Laskaris

  1. Class Schedule
    1. The committee discussed the changes in layout/design to the sprint 2010 schedule and shared feedback. The following comments were made:
      • More user friendly; professional layout
      • Pay close attention to contrast areas where text is on color, or shown reversed out and be conscientious of using colors that may impact people with visual impairments
      • Continuous page numbers should be listed as such; for example, not p38, but p38-43
      • Listing jobs on the panels that describe the certificate programs should be explained; for example “Examples of jobs you may be qualified for after completion of this program.” vs. “Jobs”
      • Good layout; reference guide is great
      • Good examples of student success
      • Age info should be added to the GED/HSD program section
      • Consider bolding the campus names within the class information
        ACTION: Ranessa to contact ABE Dean Lyon to request review of the HSD/GED section to include age information. ACTION: Holly to mock-up pages showing campus names listed as boldface and Ranessa to distribute to committee for comment ACTION: Ranessa to coordinate Flex activities prior to summer 2010 to keep feedback loops open.
    2. The committee discussed the use of the newsprint paper used on the inside pages and it was suggested that a higher grade would be nice, but costs must be considered for this upgrade.
  2. Course Flier Announcements
    1. The committee reviewed the layout ideas and agreed on the new design ideas with a consistent look and common elements including the title, location, photos, use of color, logo, etc.
    2. It was agreed that at this time, there are too many variables within the class information and needs of fliers that a pre-printed template is not the right solution.
      ACTION: Ranessa to poll the committee via e-mail about more ideas for an organized and strategic approach to class filer distribution.
      ACTION: Holly to finalize flier templates and begin using the new designs when final
      ACTION: Ranessa and Holly to coordinate order and installation of acrylic display racks for flier announcements
      ACTION: Holly to coordinate with Rich McGirr for an online request for course announcements that will forward to her e-mail.
  3. Future Meeting dates/times
    1. The committee agreed to a standing bimonthly meeting for the remainder of 2010. The meetings will be the second Tuesday of each month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at ECC in Room 121.
    2. Remaining meetings for 2010 include: 3/9, 5/11, 7/13, 9/14, and 11/9
      ACTION: Ranessa to send meeting dates and time reminder to full committee

Next meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Marketing Committee Minutes - October 5, 2009

Members:

Ranessa Ashton, Jane Signago-Cox, Doug Elliot/Theresa Ortiz, Ron H. Flores, Diane Goldberg, Greg Laskaris, Holly Leahy, Rich McGirr, Lily Mino, Paul Richard, Martin P. Smith

Members absent: Diane Goldberg, Rich McGirr

Minutes

  1. Ranessa distributed a copy of survey results. The survey was completed in January to support the CE Cornerstone of Image Enhancement. CE faculty, staff, and students participated.
  2. Class Schedule. The committee reviewed ideas and drafts of pages for the spring ‘10 CE schedule. The committee agreed on the following recommendations, which will be submitted to the AGC (Administrative Governance Council):
    1. All class information should be included with each class listing (e.g. location) so users do not need to flip to the back of the schedule to look up location codes)
    2. Information should be organized within program areas (e.g. all Emeritus program classes should be in one section, as should Community Education classes)
    3. Student Success stories should be included throughout as space allows. The theme for this will be “Be Here Get There”. The committee does not support the theme idea for the cover, but agrees this approach should be used on the inside pages. ACTION: Ranessa to forward two revised cover ideas to full committee for review/input
    4. There should be a greater emphasis toward driving people to the web site for updated information. We should use the artwork developed by the District COMBO schedule task force committee meeting for this purpose. ACTION: Ranessa to forward artwork of “Go Green/Go Online” bug from District COMBO schedule task force committee to full committee for review/input
    5. The certificate programs that CE offers should be comprehensive, and included within a section of the schedule.
    6. The specifications should be in alignment with the current COMBO schedule, as well as the current Continuing Education pullout schedule for Community Education. Some overview elements include:
      • 8 ½ x 11 booklet size
      • Saddle stitch binding
      • Glossy cover (4-color)
      • One spot color inside; a second color could be considered
      • 3 column layout for class listings
      • Section and sub heads should be clear
      • A comprehensive index/resource area
      • Each course includes course title, CRN, day, time, location, fee/no-fee, and instructor name
      • A short course description may be included
      • Important comments about a class may be included
  3. Certificate Programs/Job Training series of brochures
    1. The committee reviewed the ideas for the overview brochure, which will highlight all CE certificate programs. It was noted that the design of the panel with job information and a photograph will be similar to the layout used in for the Certificate Program/Job Training section of the class schedule. This will begin to build consistency in the way certificate program information is shown.
    2. The committee saw examples of brochure covers, using approved colors outlined in the CE Style Guide.
  4. ECC Skills Center Grand Opening invitations/fliers
    1. The committee reviewed the final booklet-style invitation, which will be mailed to VIP members of the District and the Community.
    2. A flier-style invitation will be distributed to all CE campuses and via e-mail. The committee received an example copy of this version.
    3. Posters of the flier-style invitation will be on-site at ECC.
  5. The committee agreed to receive projects via e-mail in between meeting dates. The full committee prefers to be included on all e-mails, and will respond individually as time allows.
  6. Future Meeting date/time
    1. The committee agreed to a standing meeting the second Tuesday of each month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at ECC in Room 121.
    2. The next meeting date is Tuesday, November 10 ACTION: Ranessa to send meeting date and time reminder to full committee

Marketing Committee Minutes - September 15, 2009

Members:

Ranessa Ashton, Jane Signago-Cox, Doug Elliot/Theresa Ortiz, Ron H. Flores, Diane Goldberg, Greg Laskaris, Holly Leahy, Rich McGirr, Lily Mino, Paul Richard, Martin P. Smith

All members were present

Minutes:

  1. Introductions
    1. Each member introduced themselves to the committee, explaining their area of representation (e.g. faculty, dean, classified, etc.).
    2. It was noted that two student members will join the group as soon as they are selected by the CE ASB
  2. CE Style Guide
    1. Copies of the CE Style Guide were shared so that each committee member would be aware of the guide, and know where to find it as needed. A PDF version of the most current guide is kept on the Marketing Committee page of the Participatory Governance section on the www.sdce.edu web site (http://gov.sdce.edu/committees/admingc/marketing)
  3. Class Schedule Spring 2010
    1. The group reviewed the fall ‘09 CE schedule, and several examples of class schedules from other Continuing Education programs (e.g. Southwestern, Mira Costa, Imperial Valley, Cal State, UCSD, UC Berkeley, etc.) and offered ideas to consider for changes to the spring ‘09 schedule (see attachment A)
    2. ACTION: Ranessa to forward focus group feedback to committee
  4. Participatory Governance page on web site
    1. Meeting minutes will be posted on the Marketing Committee page of the Participatory Governance section on the www.sdce.edu web site (http://gov.sdce.edu/committees/admingc/marketing)
    2. ACTION: Ranessa to forward link to committee when minutes are posted
  5. Future Meeting date/time
    1. The next meeting date is Tuesday, October 6, 2-3:30 p.m. at ECC in Room 121
    2. ACTION: Ranessa to send meeting date and time to committee

Attachment A

9-15-09 Meeting Agenda Item 3
Class Schedule Spring 2010
Feedback:

  1. Location of a class is confusing
  2. Emphasize the larger programs
  3. ESL registration is not emphasized
  4. Make better use of headers and subheads to separate important information
  5. Location codes in the back confuse students
  6. The indication of “special setting” confuses students
  7. Need a better Table of Contents and/or Index, or both
  8. The detail of class information is not clear from one class to the next, consider better spacing or fonts
  9. Separate the fee based classes from the other classes
  10. Drive people to the web site more, consider making a note on every page that says class information changes and updated information is online
  11. Consider increasing the area allowed for computer classes or emphasize that you can go online to see many more classes
  12. Keep the information in the printed version for new users (for computers)
  13. Consider a section dedicated for information about each program followed by actual classes and then cross reference all classes
  14. White space is needed to keep information easy-to-read; do not jam information together
  15. Consider the use of icons for repeated information (e.g. go online, call, orientation, etc.)
  16. Use less photos and use the space on the page for text
  17. Current display racks do not show full cover of schedule, which means people don’t know what’s on the cover
  18. Consider using a second color inside (in addition to the black plus current spot of color)
  19. The indication of “walk-in” enrollment is misleading
  20. Need an explanation of when a class requires an orientation vs. being able to walk into a class
  21. The accuracy of information is outdated in the print version so drive people to the web site to see the current information
  22. The certificate programs/job training information needs to be easier to read at-a-glance so it can be understood
  23. The way ESL open enrollment information is included works well
  24. Consider using brighter colored paper (newsprint)
  25. GED information is not specific enough and students may not understand the classes available for prep (in addition to taking the exam)
  26. Use a five-foot test for cover—should be able to read the important information at five feet
  27. Good map and photos on back of current (fall 09) cover