Clear Spring Yoga Plan A Proposal to Improve Residential Life at Baylor School By: Chris Ferguson

1. Clear Spring Yoga PlanA Proposal to Improve Residential Life at Baylor SchoolBy: Chris Ferguson

2. Introduction The purpose of my proposal is to convince the Baylor Headmaster, Jim Buckheit, of the need to establish and support an off-campus yoga program for boarding students at Clear Spring Yoga.

3. Context Solicited? This proposal was written in direct response to a call from the Baylor School Board for ideas to improve the residential community. Therefore, I imagine this proposal will be received in a supportive, positive manner. Physical Context: I will present a hard copy of this proposal to Jim Buckheit in person during a private meeting this September. I will not utilize any other media to present the proposal.

4. Audience Primary Audience: Jim Buckheit, Headmaster. Secondary Audience: Associate Headmaster, Dean of Faculty, Dean of Residential Life, Chief Financial Officer. Invoked or Addressed? This is most certainly an audience addressed. As Baylor is still a relatively small community, I have a strong working relationship established with all of the members of my audience.

5. Vital Statsitics: The Boarding Report Card The BRC indicated that over 60% (or 122 students) of the Baylor boarding community finds itself “bored and restless” during the “dead time” from 5:30 to 7:30. As a result, 65% of the boarding community expressed an interest in the possibility of an optional, structured activity during that time. The ability of boarding students to leave campus is a key component in their happiness. The BRC clearly indicates the frustration of an overwhelming majority, over 94%, who responded that the off-campus offerings during the weekare “insufficient.”

6. Baylor’s Needs • Improve morale of residential community • Improve boarding retention percentage • Cost effective • Safety with a minimum insurance burden • Show responsiveness to Board

7. Student Needs • Fill 5:30-7:30 “dead time” • Non-competitive, healthy, physical activity • Get the #%@ * off campus !

8. Clear Spring Plan • I volunteer my time to drive and supervise students at Clear Spring Yoga twice a week. • Clear Spring Yoga is only three miles from the Baylor Campus. • The plan uses existing Baylor vehicles to limit cost. • The plan provides a healthy, non-competitive activity for up to 32 students per year, or 26% of the boarding community.

9. Qualifications • Five years experience as an upper school teacher. • Two years experience as a dorm parent. • Initiated and led numerous student trips, including trips to Colorado, New York City, Italy, and France. • Yoga student at Clear Spring for over two years.

10. Benefits • Safe, supervised, cost-effective activity. • Provide students with a healthy, non-competitive activity at an off-campus location. • Improve boarder morale and retention. • Addresses needs of Board, administration, and students.

11. Budget • Biggest selling point of the proposal. • Students responsible for instruction fees. • No additional insurance burden. • Baylor’s only cost is gas, just $28.00 a year! It’s Grrrrreat!!!!