Core Requirement: The institution engages in ongoing, integrated, and institution-wide research-based planning and evaluation processes that (1) incorporate a systematic review of institutional mission, goals, and outcomes; (2) result in continuing improvement in institutional quality; and (3) demonstrate the institution is effectively accomplishing its mission.
X Compliance
Partial Compliance
Non-Compliance
Narrative:
Georgia State University engages in an ongoing, integrated, campus-wide process of evaluating its mission, goals, and outcomes, and uses those results to review and revise academic program and administrative units [1]. Every year the University reviews the progress made on the goals of the current five-year Strategic Plan [2] and Annual Action Plan [3]. This process includes reviewing the University’s Mission Statement [4], as well as writing the next Annual Action Plan. In addition to guidance from the University’s Mission Statement, 5-year Strategic Plans and Annual Action Plans are prepared with broad-based input from the University Community [5] and with information from the Academic Program Review [6] and Administrative Support Unit Review [7]. The University Senate Planning and Development (P&D) Committee and, ultimately, the University Senate approve the University Strategic Plans and Annual Action Plans.
All academic programs are reviewed every seven years, and the University is currently in the second cycle of Academic Program Reviews. (The resources for the Academic Program Review process can be found on the APR website [8].) The “Procedures for Academic Program Review” were adopted by the Academic Programs Committee of the University Senate and require departments to complete a detailed self-study [9] which includes reporting on its strengths and weaknesses, curriculum quality, student quality, faculty productivity, centrality of its programs to the University’s mission and goals, evidence of student learning, and progress toward departmental goals. The self-study consists of a 25 page narrative as well as supporting appendices [10].
An external review team from peer institutions writes a separate report in which they evaluate the quality of the department’s students, faculty, and curriculum and the progress made toward its goals and objectives [11]. Based on the self-study and external reviewers’ reports, the Academic Program Review Committee writes a review of each department [12]. Following approval of the review by the Academic Program Committee and University Senate, a departmental action plan is developed which specifies the steps to be taken to improve the department’s role in meeting institutional goals [13]. The plan, approved by the Dean and Provost includes a commitment of resources by the university to enable the department to carry out the plan. (See departmental action plans that have been funded [14] and those approved to be funded [15]).
The Academic Program Review archive of departmental self-studies, external reviews, APRC reviews, departmental action plan, and action plans commitments are available for analysis [16]. A major requirement of the departmental self-studies is to provide evidence of student learning and to develop annual action plans to promote learning. While the annual assessment of learning is detailed under Comprehensive Standards 3.3.1 and 3.5.1, this process is an important component of the Academic Program Review process, as well. (Student Learning Outcomes Assessment results are posted on WEAVEonline, the outcomes assessment management system used by the University [17].)
As a result of Academic Program Reviews, the University’s 2007 Action Plan [18] includes splitting the Department of Anthropology and Geography, with the Department of Geography merging with the Department of Geology to create the Department of Geosciences. In 2005 the Academic Program Review process resulted in three bachelor degree programs being deactivated: BS in Recreation, BS in Human Resources Policy & Development, and BA in Theatre.
The institution’s Administrative and Support Unit Review process [19] was established to parallel and complement the Academic Program Review. Georgia State’s administrative review program is a seven-year planning and assessment process [20] overseen by the University Senate Committee on Planning and Development and implemented through the Administrative and Support Unit Review Committee. Every unit undergoing review writes a self-study report [21] (following a detailed template) that covers mission and responsibilities, services, outcomes and accomplishments, structure and organization, resources, peer comparisons (in lieu of external review), and their proposed 5-year plan. The self-study is reviewed by the Administrative and Support Unit Review committee [22] which provides a report, including recommendations for action, back to the unit. In consultation with line management, the unit drafts an Action Plan to address the issues and opportunities identified in the self-study and by the ASUR Committee. This action plan draft is then discussed with the Provost, and the Provost issues the final Action Plan, in which any resource committments made as the result of the review are detailed. Nearly 80% of GSU’s administrative and support units have completed their first cycle of review, and eight units are under review in AY 2007-2008. Eight units will begin their second round in AY 2008-09 while the remaining five units complete their first self-studies. All documents relating to Administrative and Support unit review are available online. [23].
As with Academic Program Review, a requirement of the unit self-studies is to provide evidence of outcomes and to develop annual action plans to improve those outcomes. While the annual assessment of administrative and support unit outcomes is detailed under Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1, this process is an important component of the Administrative and Support Unit Review process, as well. (Outcomes Assessment results are posted on WEAVEonline, the outcomes assessment management system used by the University [24].)
Supporting Documentation:
- Overview of institutional effectiveness process
- GSU Strategic Plan for 2005-2010
- 2007 Annual Action Plan
- GSU Mission Statement
- Strategic Planning Process
- Academic Program Review
- Administrative Support Unit Review
- Resources for Academic Program Review
- Cycle 2, Academic Program Review
- Self-Study Supporting Appendices
- External Reviewer’s Template
- APRC Reviewers’ Template
- Guidelines for Action Plans
- Funded departmental action plans
- Action plans approved to be funded
- Academic Program Review archive of reports
- WEAVEonline, the outcomes assessment management system
- University’s 2007 Action Plan
- Administrative and Support Unit Review process
- Administrative Support Unit Review Status of Units
- Administrative and Support Unit Review Self-Study Template
- Template for Administrative and Support Unit Review committee review
- Administrative and Support Units archive of reports
- WEAVEonline, the outcomes assessment management system