Comprehensive Review Guidelines for Administrative Units, 2016-2020
Philosophy
Comprehensive administrative unit review strives to demonstrate continual institutional improvement by allowing units the opportunity for self-reflection and continual improvement by blending aspects of three processes:
-The In-class advancement process used by staff,
-The Self-Study review of the institution and accredited programs, and
-Operational review to ensure institutional effectiveness
Purpose
Comprehensive administrative unit reviews are undertaken on a four year cycle [Appendix A] by every administrative unit at Allegany College of Maryland. The complete comprehensive report for the unit will be submitted to the Committee on Assessment via the Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Planning no later than May 30th of the academic year (for example, units in 2016-2017 submit by May 30th 2017). The entire timeline for the Summer Study (2016) can be reviewed in Appendix B.
The purpose of this process is to give units the opportunity to:
1) demonstrate analysis, discussion, and assessment of benchmark/target results,
2) re-assess the appropriateness and relevancy of their mission,
3) utilize assessment results to create new goals for the next four years,
4) engage in a discussion with colleagues internal and external about the strengths and weaknesses of the unit, and
5) discussion and description of actions taken to progress the goals of the unit and institution.
The first units to undertake this process are in 2016-2017 and will provide feedback at the conclusion of the academic year on the assessment process itself to help with improvement to ensure appropriateness as amechanismfor institutional effectiveness.
Elements of Review
1 – Mission Statement: The unit has a clear and concise Mission statement which is appropriately linked to the Mission of Allegany College of Maryland.
Documentation:
-Mission Statement, including date of last revision
-Evidence of discussion of Mission statement within unit and with other relevant internal constituencies (i.e. other units or programs that the unit works closely with)
-Brief description of services provided by the unit
-Unit Vision Statement, including date of last revision
2 – Analysis of Assessments & Data: The unit has regularly engaged in progressing the Goals it sets itself utilizing assessment results to improve operations and effectiveness.
Documentation:
-Accumulated annual assessment reports
-Data collected by the unit on a regular basis which inform decision making
-Analysis of success achieving benchmark for each goal, including a description of future changes and/or improvements based on assessment results
-Data related to the staffing of the unit and relevant personnel challenges
3 –Peer Comparison: The unit considers its actions not only as a member of Allegany College of Maryland, but also as one of many similar units at other institutions of higher education.
Options:
-Analysis using Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) for the applicable unit
-Regional or MACC schools peer site review
-Discussion and analysis of Educational Advisory Board (EAB) standards for the applicable unit (currently only available for Human Resources, Information Technology, and Accounts Payable)
-Review of professional literature and other forms of peer communication
Documentation for this element is the discussion and analysis of at least one of the above with consideration for the specific goals and mission of the unit and how the comparison will inform the future activities of the unit.
4 – Findings & Future: The unit provides thematic narrative description of the previous four years of activity. What improvements have been made during the comprehensive review period? What are the areas determined by the unit to need improvement? What are the areas that are strengths? What will be done in the future to improve the effectiveness of the unit?
Documentation:
-Narrative analysis of the process
-Statement of future goals, objectives, timeline, and persons responsible
-Statement of how new/current goals were informed by previous assessment results (may be covered in other sections)
-Statement of the linkages between the new unit goals and the College’s Strategic Plan
5 – Review of the assessment process: The unit provides a basic consideration of which aspects of the comprehensive unit assessment process were useful, which were difficult to achieve, and how they can be improved in the future.
Appendix A: Comprehensive Review Timeline, 4-year Cycle
Process based on Appalachian State University
Appendix B: Timeline
Orientation & Training / August 29-30, 2016External Review Proposal Due to ADIERP / October 14, 2016
IAC meets to review external review proposals / October 2016
Meeting for Questions / January 17, 2017
Final Submission to IAC / February 17, 2017
IAC meets to discuss & make recommendations to units / March 8, 2017
Deadline for corrections / March 31, 2017
IAC meets to address corrections & make recommendations to CoA / April 14, 2017
Recommendations by IAC to COA / April 21, 2017
COA recommendations to BAC & President’s Staff / June 1, 2017
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