Academic Program Prioritization Review Process

As the first step in the program prioritization process, the deans assembled data for an initial review of all departments within each college. The criteria used for this review was developed by Provost Council and approved for use by Faculty Council. To conduct the review, a template was designed to select a concise set of data elements for each academic department that were easily defined, readily available and which provide a high-level summary of each department’s resources and productivity.

After each of the deans completed the initial review, Provost Council was convened to consider the results of that initial assessment. Upon review of the data, it became clear that there is a good deal of heterogeneity when looking within departments. For example, within a particular department, there may be a program that is considered very strong and another program that is less productive, rendering the departmental review inconclusive. As a result, the decision was made to focus on reviewing specific individual programs. Deans will do this initial review and a draft set of recommendations will be presented to the Faculty Council for review in mid-January.

This more detailed review is intended to provide data that will assist in determining areas of programming for strategic investment as well as for identifying areas to de-emphasize (e.g., to disinvest in, transform, or maintain as status quo). This evaluation has been designed to be conducted in a fair and self-critical manner in order to provide an accurate assessment of our current performance and lay the foundation for achieving our vision for the future.

Program prioritization recommendations resulting from this assessment will be determined by the Provost’s Council in January. Those recommendations will then go through the normal college, Faculty Council and the State Board of Education review processes. As we work through this program prioritization process, we will continue to keep our University community informed.