Re: efficiency

[Sara Kimball <skimball@uts.cc.utexas.edu>]

Hi, Cliff.  We run a mixed drop-in and appointment system, with the 
emphasis on drop-ins. We tell students that they don't need an 
appointment but making one is advisable during busy periods like midterm 
time and the end of the semester. Having an appointment guarantees a 
session with minimal delay. Last year I'd say roughly a quarter of our 
business was appointments; this year, since we're very busy more often, 
the percentage of appointments may be higher.  The receptionist manages 
things, making sure there are enough consultants free to cover scheduled 
appointments.  The system seems to work fine, and I prefer the emphasis 
on drop-in visits, because I think it creates fewer barriers between us 
an the students.  Not long  after she started working here. Elisabeth 
Piedmont-Marton, our Coordinator, noticed something interesting: we don't 
get that many no-shows, and students usually call if they can't make an 
appointment.  She figures that that suggests that students regard us as a 
professional service.

On Thu, 22 Feb 1996 WRCENTER@lucy.ch.pdx.edu wrote:

> Thanks Sara,
> 
> As I told Jon off-list, I do consider these other activities essential, but,
> unfortunately, I've been asked about the efficiency thing.  We'll be ready
> to point out these other opportunities though.  The other thing that I didn't
> mention in my first post was drop-in hours:  Do you have them; how do 
> they work; how many tutors do you have available for these times?
> 
> Thanks again,
> 
> Cliff Barnett
> 
> 
> >Hi, Cliff.  It sounds like you're dealing with some kind of administrative query.  I'm not mathematician and 
> >don't know offhand how many consultant hours we fill with sessions on average, though I do know that it 
> >takes 240 per week at an absolute minimum to run our center and we have more than that available.  I would, 
> >however, urge you to count those "other activities" (class visits, materials pret. etc.) as part of total work 
> >time.  Those things are crucial to building a clientele and to offering services that people need and can 
> >benefit from, so they should be counted. Sara 
> 
>