Objective
The objective of this proposal paper is to propose a well-researched, evidence-based campus improvement project to improve student quality of life and student success at Northwest Vista College.
You will develop a comprehensive proposal for how $100,000 could be invested to meaningfully enhance campus life for students. Your proposal will discuss the practical, financial, and social factors that make your project vialbe while demonstrating how similar initiatives have succeeded at other institutions. Ultimately, your paper must persuade campus administrators that your proposed project represents the best investment in student quality of life and student success.
Background
College campuses are complex environments where students spend significant time studying, socializing, eating, and managing their well-being.
Research shows that campus environment and available resources directly impact student satisfaction, retention, and academic success. Modern campus planning recognizes that effective improvements require understanding what will realistically improve students’ daily experience within budgetary and operational constraints.
By examining successful campus improvement projects at other institutions and understanding NVC’s specific needs, you can propose solutions that address real gaps in campus resources while demonstrating feasibility and value to decision-makers. Your goal is to convince administrators that your project will best enhance student quality of life and support student success.
Prerequisites
- Format: Please utilize the MLA Checklist to ensure your paper is in correct MLA format. If MLA format is incorrect, you will be asked to resubmit in correct format. You will receive a zero until the resubmission is received.
- Topic: Your paper must propose a specific campus improvement project that enhances student quality of life and student success at Northwest Vista College with a $100,000 budget. You should develop your own project proposal, though you may use the provided examples for inspiration. Papers that don’t meet this requirement will not be accepted. If you’d like to write about a project not covered in the examples, get with me to get it approved.
- Interview: At least one source must be an interview with someone relevant to your proposal (current NVC student, NVC staff member, administrator, or expert in the field related to your project).
- POV: This is a paper and not an essay, so it should be written in third person point of view (he, she, they) when discussing research and examples. However, you may use first person (I, we) when presenting your proposal and recommendations to the administration.
Requirements
Here are the basic requirements for this proposal paper.
- The final draft of your paper must be a minimum of 1500 words (~5 pages) long, not including your Works Cited page.
- Your paper must include at least three (3) quote structures with correctly formatted in-text citations; note that papers may only contain one long quote structure, no longer than 75 words.
- Correctly formatted Works Cited Page in MLA format.
- Minimum of three (3) sources required.
- At least one source must be an interview with someone relevant to your proposal.
Your proposal paper should also include the sections below. Since we are leaning toward business writing here instead of academic writing, you may include headers within your text between each of the sections. If you choose to do this, use the english section titles rather than the Latin titles.
▸ Overview / Introduction (Exordium):
Begin your proposal with a strong introduction (1 paragraph):
- Attention-getter: Begin with an engaging opening that establishes the importance of your project area
- Establish credibility: Demonstrate your connection to NVC and investment in campus improvement
- Preview proposal: Briefly introduce the general area your project addresses
- Thesis Statement: End with a clear thesis that identifies your specific project and argues why NVC should invest $100,000 in it to improve student quality of life and student success
▸ Client Needs Assessment / Background (Narratio):
Present objective information about current campus conditions related to your project (1-2 paragraphs):
- Identify the primary problem your proposed project will address
- Current state of campus facilities, services, or conditions in your project area
- Relevant data about student population, usage patterns, or existing resources
- Maintain neutral, factual tone—establish what exists without yet arguing it’s problematic
▸ Proposal Overview / Preview (Partitio):
Provide a clear roadmap of your argument (1 paragraph):
- Explicitly state what you will prove in your proposal
- Preview your main points (that a need exists, your solution addresses it, and it’s feasible)
- Give readers a sense of your argument’s structure
▸ Main Proposal Sections (Confirmatio):
Solution Presentation / Service Description (1-3 paragraphs):
- Describe your proposed project in specific detail
- Explain how the project would operate (locations, timing, features, access)
- Show how your solution directly addresses the problems you identified
Feasibility Discussion / Effectiveness Proof (1-3 paragraphs):
- Address budget considerations and cost categories (acknowledge exact costs are difficult to determine, but discuss reasonable estimates)
- Consider implementation logistics, timeline, and resource requirements
- Present evidence that similar projects have succeeded elsewhere
- Include examples from other college campuses or comparable contexts
Partnership Benefits (1-3 paragraphs):
- Demonstrate measurable benefits related to student quality of life
- Show how the project supports student success and academic outcomes
- Discuss benefits to NVC as an institution (student satisfaction, retention, reputation, etc.)
▸ Risk Mitigation / Counterarguments (Refutatio):
Address potential objections (1 paragraph):
- Acknowledge legitimate concerns administrators might have (cost, competition with existing services, maintenance, liability, etc.)
- Provide thoughtful responses showing these concerns can be managed
- Maintain respectful tone that doesn’t dismiss opposing viewpoints
▸ Next Steps / Conclusion (Peroratio):
Conclude with a call to action (1 paragraph):
- Summarize your main arguments and the value of your proposal
- Specify concrete next steps for implementation
- Identify who should take action and when
- End with a compelling statement about impact on student experience
▸ Works Cited Page:
- Correctly formatted Works Cited Page in MLA format
- Minimum of three (3) sources required
- At least one source must be an interview with someone relevant to your proposal
Grading Criteria
For the Progress Check:
- Word Count (45 points): 750 words minimum
- Three Sources (15 points): You include three sources which you plan to use for your proposal.
- Includes draft Narratio (20 points): Your paper includes a reasonably well-written narratio section.
- Includes draft Partitio (20 points): Your paper includes a reasonably well-written partitio section.
For the Final Draft:
- Word Count (20 points): 1500 words minimum
- Overview/Introduction (10 points): Effective opening with attention-getter, credibility establishment, preview, and thesis statement
- Client Needs Assessment/Background (10 points): Objective presentation of current campus conditions with relevant data
- Proposal Overview/Preview (5 points): Clear roadmap stating what will be proven
- Main Proposal Sections (35 points total):
- Problem Establishment (10 points): Clear demonstration of need with supporting evidence
- Solution Presentation (10 points): Detailed description of proposed project
- Feasibility Discussion/Effectiveness Proof (5 points): Budget considerations and evidence from comparable examples
- Partnership Benefits (10 points): Clear connection to student quality of life and success
- Quote Structures (9 points): At least three quote structures with correctly formatted in-text citations
- Risk Mitigation/Counterarguments (10 points): Acknowledgment and thoughtful response to objections
- Next Steps/Conclusion (10 points): Summary, specific call to action, and compelling final appeal
- Works Cited Page (9 points): Correctly formatted with minimum three sources including one interview
Instructions
Select a Project: Propose your own campus improvement project that enhances student quality of life and student success at NVC with a $100,000 budget. Your project should address a specific aspect of campus life such as student nutrition, mental health, social connection, financial support, sustainability, beautification, or safety. See the example projects below for ideas and inspiration.
Research Your Project:
- Investigate current conditions at NVC related to your project area
- Find examples of similar projects at other colleges and universities
- Conduct at least one interview with someone relevant to your proposal (NVC student, staff, administrator, or field expert)
- Research feasibility factors including approximate costs, logistics, and implementation requirements
- Look for evidence of student need or demand for your project
Develop Your Proposal: Build a systematic case following the proposal structure. Demonstrate that a need exists, that your solution addresses it effectively, and that it’s feasible within the $100,000 budget. Most importantly, show why your project will best improve student quality of life and student success. Think of yourself as presenting this proposal to campus administrators who control funding decisions.
Address Feasibility Realistically: You are not expected to have access to exact cost data or detailed vendor quotes. However, you should discuss cost considerations, show that you’ve thought about budget allocation, and demonstrate that your project is realistic for $100,000. Use phrases like “based on similar projects at other institutions” or “industry estimates suggest” when discussing costs.
Write: Your paper should present a compelling, well-researched proposal that persuades NVC administrators to invest in your project. Follow the proposal structure throughout, using the classical argument principles to build your case systematically.
Example Campus Improvement Projects
Note: The following examples are provided to inspire your thinking and give you ideas about possible projects. You should develop your own unique proposal tailored to what you believe will best improve student quality of life and student success at NVC. If you want to propose a project similar to one of these examples, make sure to adapt it with your own research and perspective.
1. Campus Food Truck Program [Student Nutrition]
Launch a rotating food truck schedule with 3-4 trucks serving underserved campus locations during peak hours. Budget covers permits, utility hookups, marketing, and initial vendor contracts.
2. 24/7 Student Wellness and Break Space [Student Mental Health]
Create a dedicated wellness facility with multiple rooms designed for students to decompress between classes. The space features comfortable seating, mood lighting, sound therapy stations, free supplies (stress balls, tea, healthy snacks), mental health resources, and is therapy dog friendly with regular visit schedules. Students can swipe in anytime to relax and recharge in various room environments.
3. Outdoor Study and Social Pavilion [Student Social Connection]
Build a covered outdoor structure with misting systems and ceiling fans for Texas heat, power outlets, WiFi boosters, comfortable seating, whiteboards, and string lights. Creates year-round outdoor workspace that bridges study and socializing. The space can host student organization events, study groups, open mic nights, and casual gatherings while providing relief from the heat.
4. Campus Sustainability and Beautification Project [Environmental Sustainability and Campus Beautification]
Transform a high-traffic campus area with native Texas landscaping, install water bottle refill stations, create a campus garden with produce donated to The Store food pantry, add composting bins, install solar phone charging benches, incorporate shaded walking paths with improved LED lighting, seasonal flower displays, and public art installations. Creates an environmentally sustainable and visually inspiring campus environment.
5. Student Advocacy Center Expansion [Student Financial Support]
Expand the existing Student Advocacy and Resource Center’s capacity by adding a dedicated emergency aid fund, expanding The Store’s food pantry inventory and hours, increasing Boutique Morado’s professional clothing selection, creating a textbook and school supplies lending library, adding more laptop checkout options, expanding the parent student resource area with childcare supplies and parenting resources, and funding additional case manager support hours.
6. Enhanced Campus Safety Lighting and Emergency System [Student Safety]
Install LED pathway lighting in poorly lit areas, add 10-15 emergency call boxes with cameras and direct police connection, improve existing camera systems in parking lots, and create a mobile safety app with GPS tracking for walking companions and real-time campus alerts.
Thesis Statement Criteria
One of the graded items for your Campus Improvement Proposal is a thesis statement.
Your thesis statement should:
- Introduce the main claim of your paper
- Come at the end of your introduction paragraph
- Be only one sentence long
- Be debatable, specific, and concise
Thesis Statement Template
NVC should fund [your project] + because [positive outcomes]
Examples Using The Thesis Statement Template
- Northwest Vista College should invest $100,000 in a campus food truck program because it would provide convenient, diverse dining options to underserved areas of campus, directly improving student quality of life while supporting academic performance through better nutrition access.
- Installing a network of enhanced safety lighting and emergency call boxes across NVC’s campus would significantly improve student security during evening classes, directly supporting student success by removing barriers to course attendance and reducing safety-related stress.
- Creating a dedicated 24/7 student wellness and break space would provide essential mental health support infrastructure that NVC currently lacks, directly addressing rising student stress levels and supporting both student quality of life and academic success.
Campus Intelligence: Competing Proposals
Note: Word on campus suggests that other proposals may be under consideration for the $100,000 funding. While these are unofficial rumors, you should be aware that your proposal may face competition. Consider how your project compares to these alternatives when making your case.
Project A: Student Gaming and Recreation Room
You’ve heard through the grapevine that some students are proposing to convert a single large classroom (approximately 1,200 square feet) into a casual gaming and recreation room. The space would feature 10 gaming PCs, 3 console gaming stations (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), a ping pong table, foosball table, board game library, and comfortable seating areas. The room would be accessible during regular campus hours (8am-9pm Monday-Thursday, reduced weekend hours) with student ID card swipe access. The $100,000 budget would cover equipment purchase, room renovations, gaming licenses and subscriptions, recreational equipment, and a first-year maintenance fund. The space would be monitored by existing student center staff and could be reserved by student organizations for game nights and social events.
Project B: Campus Historical Marker Trail
Rumor has it that another group is proposing a self-guided walking trail around campus featuring 8-10 historical markers highlighting NVC’s 20-year history, the development of the surrounding area, and notable campus milestones. Each marker would consist of a weatherproof educational plaque mounted on a simple post, with accompanying QR codes linking to a basic mobile-friendly website with photos and additional information. The trail would include a printed map available at the library and main office, basic wayfinding signs, and bench seating at 2-3 key viewpoints. The $100,000 budget would cover historical research, marker design and fabrication, installation, basic website development, trail mapping, promotional brochures, and landscaping around marker locations. The trail would be featured during campus tours, orientation, and alumni events.
Final Thoughts
This assignment is an opportunity to think critically about campus improvement and develop practical, evidence-based proposals to enhance student quality of life and student success at NVC. Your proposal should demonstrate not only an understanding of student needs but also the critical thinking and persuasive skills needed to advocate for meaningful change. By following the proposal structure—which draws on classical rhetorical principles—you will build a systematic, convincing case that could genuinely influence campus decision-making. Think of this as a real-world exercise in professional communication where you must balance student needs with institutional concerns to create a compelling argument for change.