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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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) 

5. 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)

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

7. 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 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Questions and/or comments?