Program Review Guidelines & Processes at SUNY New Paltz Laurel M. Garrick Duhaney Associate Provost, Strategic Planning & Assessment SUNY New Paltz

What are the objectives of this presentation? This presentation will: Guide departments in developing and implementing self-studies; Describe the progression of the departmental self-study; and Describe institutional support for conducting academic program reviews and provide related resources.

What are the goals of the academic program review? To evaluate the quality of undergraduate and graduate programs within the context of the discipline as a whole and campus/division/program mission and goals To affirm programmatic strengths and achievements To identify areas to strengthen and improve To promote strategic planning, goal-setting, and continuous assessment and improvement To ensure alignment of program and institutional learning outcomes To give the College an informed overview of the strengths, challenges, and needs of academic programs

What are some key components of an academic program review? Self-Study External Review & External Reviewers’ Report (jointly written) A plan for ongoing improvement based on faculty review of the self-study and external reviewers’ report Where can I begin in conducting the self-study? Review the self-study that was conducted most recently Consult with dean to identify any special focus or priorities Review data collected over time from multiple sources (e.g., annual assessments, IR data, GE assessment data)  Use the data collected over time from multiple sources (e.g., annual assessments, IR data, GE assessment data) 

What does the SUNY University Faculty Senate “Guide for the Evaluation of Undergraduate Programs” say about designing the self-study? Typical steps in a program evaluation process (Pages 17 – 21) Characteristics of a good program evaluation (Pages 21 & 22) Some key components of self-study reports (Pages 22 – 32) Characteristics of effective evaluations (Page 43) Sample outline for a program self-study (Page 44)

What is the progression of the departmental program review? See page 16 of: “Planning and Assessment Practices for Academic, Student Support, and Administrative Division”

What should I know about external reviewers? Chair identifies three–five potential external reviewers to provide an objective critique of the program and suggestions for improvement - associate or (preferably) full professors from peer or aspirational institutions in the same Carnegie classification and preferably from SUNY and non-SUNY sectors Chair and dean discuss names and vitae of potential external reviewers Dean authorizes chair to contact two external reviewer candidates by phone or email to obtain tentative agreement to serve Chair sends the names of external reviewers, their institutions, and dates of their campus visit to the Associate Provost for Strategic Planning & Assessment

Associate Provost for Strategic Planning & Assessment sends HRDI and Purchasing reviewers’ names, institutions, and campus visit dates and prepares and delivers ARF for SUNY external reviewer to HRDI HR sends Fair Chance Form to SUNY external reviewer, which must be completed and returned before dean’s confirmation letter can be sent HRDI confirms receipt of Fair Chance form Dean signs and sends confirmation letter to each external reviewer (Note: Typically enclosed with the confirmation letter are the self-study and all required forms for processing stipend and travel expenses) Department makes lodging arrangements and assists, as necessary, with travel arrangements

What should I consider when developing the itinerary for the site visit? Although the itinerary may vary depending on the wishes of the external reviewers and the nature of the self-study, the following should be considered in developing the itinerary for the site visit. Meeting with the dean early in the visit and, again, toward the end of the visit Meeting with the Provost toward the end of the visit Individual meetings with chair and group meetings with faculty (FT and PT, if appropriate) Meeting with faculty affiliated with the program(s) Meeting with students in the major Meeting with AVP for Graduate & Extended Learning, if graduate programs are involved Schedule “free time” for external reviewers to process and discuss their observations with each other

Questions and/or comments?