Academic reporting, evaluation and planning provide opportunities to engage in unit conversations to discuss priorities, set goals, and determine direction. With strategic planning, NEASC and general education on our plates this academic year, we have an unique opportunity to integrate of each of these important planning efforts into a cohesive institutional plan.
Last year each academic unit submitted a self-assessment and appraisal. Through consultation and discussion with the chairs, coordinators and directors, we chose a particular form for the exercise because of its a) simplicity and ease; b) alignment with the NEASC self-study process; and c) its ability to help us focus time and effort. We decided upon the forms and distributed them in October. Most academic units responded in December, and then with back and forth both with the Dean’s Office and in the academic units, we had final versions ready in February. The forms were posted, shared, and extremely useful in shaping budget and planning priorities within the Dean's Office.
You can access all of last year’s academic self-assessment and appraisals, along with a summary from the Dean’s Office, on the chairs, coordinators and directors shared drive (“2010-2011 Academic Planning”). Please note that all faculty can view the contents of this drive, but only chairs, coordinators and directors are able to make changes.
Some goals for our academic reporting and planning process include:
- to establish priorities and an ongoing culture of planning, assessment, and evaluation
- to help academic units be more effective in allocating their time, resources and energy
- to align academic unit wants and needs with the budget process
- to capture in any easy to produce and easy to read manner the good work that is taking place within academic units
- to communicate and align goals within academic affairs
- to help align academic priorities with institutional priorities
With these objectives in mind, for this academic year we have made some minor, but important changes in the form, mostly about the order and priority of items. These modifications were designed to link broader priorities with the goals of your unit and the budget process. The changes were shared and discussed with the chairs, coordinators and directors. A form for the 2011-2012 academic year is attached (
2011-2012 Self-Assessment, Priorities and Planning – Open Form).
Through the leadership and coordination of the appropriate chair, coordinator and director, each academic unit is asked to complete one copy of the form and to return it the Dean’s Office (Marjorie Belizaire and David Potash) by November 15, 2011, well in advance of the budget process. The early timeline will allow us to reference them in the College’s NEASC self-study and also align them more carefully in the budget process. We will read each submission and respond to you with any questions or concerns. Our goal is to finalize the forms by February 1, 2012.
Your participation in this endeavor is very much appreciated. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Dean’s Office.