 |
Educational Effectiveness |
Institution-wide assessment Back to IndexThe System Accountability Plan (SAP) provides an evaluation of University effectiveness and efficiency as it relates to enhancing System values and standards of performance and achieving University goals. Although some of the measures change each year, the System uses approximately 61 quantitative measures and qualitative reports to evaluate progress in areas such as student advancement (i.e., overall and minority retention rates and graduation rates, undergraduate student research, academic recognition), academic quality (i.e., degrees awarded, accreditations, faculty with terminal degrees, academic advising), productivity (i.e., credit hours/FTE faculty member, personnel ratio), diversity (i.e., number and percent of students, faculty, administrators, and executives from underrepresented groups) and instructional costs. The System established targets and external benchmarks for the University using historical data and trend analysis. University performance is compared to the targets, trends, and benchmarks. Performance that falls below established targets necessitates corrective action. In addition to SAP, the University conducts other assessments that are considered to have institutional-wide impact. In 1994, LHUP engaged in Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives to assess and improve efficiency and provide quality service. Although many departments and programs plan to continuously improve by using the results of various assessments, CI process reviews stressed the importance of cross-functional teams of faculty, staff, or students to embrace quality initiatives that improve what we do. The CI Quality Council formed to foster an environment conducive to CI, to solicit suggestions for improvement from campus constituents, and to monitor the progress of CI on campus. In addition to the CI Quality Council, faculty and staff have several other forums through which to voice concerns and provide feedback to the University Administration. Open meetings, open forums for special issues, and other campus events provide opportunities for faculty and staff to provide feedback regarding satisfaction with the organizational structure, work processes, planning initiatives, and campus climate. The following list of assessment activities includes the components of SAP and other University initiatives that are used for institution-wide assessment.
|