Program Prioritization The Process Board of Trustees Retreat September 20, 2012

Program Prioritization Metrics  Metrics were determined by combining the three proposals provided by the Campus Planning Committee of the Faculty Senate.  The three proposals were based on different perspectives – qualitative versus quantitative data elements. However, there were also similarities.  The metrics have been reviewed by the Deans Council. 2

Program Prioritization Metrics - Examples Enrollment  Number of Upper Level majors enrolled*  Program A: Average Enrollment =  Program B: Average Enrollment = 2.7 * 3 Year Average 3

Program B Program B has (on average*) 2.7 majors. As an undergraduate program, the totals should be closer to 20 students. Important Questions  Why is the enrollment low?  Has the program been identified by GA as a low productivity program?  If yes, for how many cycles?  How many student credit hours are generated by the program each year?  How does this compare to programs with higher enrollments?  What is the justification to continue this program?  What plans are in place to deal with this issue? * 3 Year Average 4

Program Prioritization Metrics - Examples Size, Internal Demand, & Productivity  Number of degrees awarded/Number of Upper Level Majors*  Program A: Average Majors = Average Degrees Awarded = 63.3 Ratio =  Program B: Average Majors = 205 Average Degrees Awarded = 52 Ratio =.254 * 3 Year Average 5

Program B Program B has (on average*) graduated only 25% of its upper level students. The ratio should be closer to Important questions  Why is the ratio of majors to degrees awarded below 0.50?  Are courses being scheduled and offered in a timely way?  What barriers exist that impact progress to degree for upper level students?  What plans are in place to deal with this issue? * 3 year average 6

Program Prioritization Metrics - Examples Time to Degree  Number of semesters to graduation  It is important to note that the average time to degree for students at Appalachian is 8.6 semesters or 4.5 years. However, the range is about 4.0 to The ranges in the UNC system is 9.3 semesters (WSSU) to 8.0 semesters (UNCSA).  Program A: Time to Degree = 4.2 years  Program B: Time to Degree = 4.8 years 1: Langdon, H. (2009). Time to Degree Study of Undergraduates Earning Degrees in and 07-08: Students who originally enrolled as new freshmen. 7

Program B Program B requires 4.8 years for program completion. Appalachian is setting a goal of four years through the Finish in Four initiative. Important Questions  Why does this program require more than four years for completion?  Provide a four year plan and demonstrate the programs to offer the classes in the sequence listed?  What barriers impact four year graduation rates?  What plans are being implemented to remove those barriers?  Has summer school offerings been considered to decrease time to degree?  How many courses are offered in the department that do not count as major requirements?  What plans are in place to improve graduation rates? 8

Program Prioritization Metrics – Examples Labor Market Projections – Top 25 Jobs in 2012* 9 1. Registered Nurse10. Occupational Therapist19. Sports Coach 2. Software Developer11. Maintenance & Repair Worker 20. Sales Representative 3. Pharmacist12. Elem School Teacher21. Accountant 4. Medical Assistant13. Clinical Lab Tech22. Receptionist 5. Database Manager14. Speech-Lang Pathologist23. Financial Advisor 6. Web Developer15. Paramedic24. Customer Service Representative 7. Computer System Analyst16. Meeting, Convention & Event Planner 25. HR Specialist 8. Physical Therapist17. School Counselor 9. Computer Programmer18. Social Worker Source: US News Money 2012 Note: Appalachian programs in bold

Program Prioritization Metrics – Examples Labor Market Projections – Top Professions in 2020* Data Crunching6. Environmental & Conservation Science 2. Counseling & Therapy7. Some healthcare fields 3. Scientific Research8. Management 4. Computer Engineering9. Finance 5. Veterinarians10. Entrepreneurship Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Note: Appalachian programs in bold

Program Prioritization Metrics – Examples Important Questions 11  Does the department track placement of graduates?  If so:  What percentage of graduates are admitted to graduate or professional programs  Where are the graduates employed?  Metric provides a workload modeling system  If not:  Does the department have plans to track placement of graduates?

Program Prioritization Metrics - Examples Position Metric  Metric provides a workload modeling system  Allows:  benchmarking of student credit hours per full time faculty equivalent  ratio of instructional workload by non-tenure track faculty & tenure- track faculty  Establish target through discussion with the department and then measure actual productivity of departments 12

Faculty Position Utilization – On Target University Advancement

Faculty Position Utilization – Excess Positions University Advancement

Faculty Position Utilization – Position Need University Advancement

Questions? Board of Trustees Retreat September 20, 2012