PROGRAM REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

Minutes of: May 2nd 2002

Present: C. Coron (chair), H. Podnar, W. Shyam.

The first topic of discussion was the 'General Education Review', as presented in the Gen Ed subcommittee's final report. The PRAC members focused on the coordination and evaluation methods of Gen Ed programs. Given the Gen Ed subcommittee recommendation of establishing a 'General Education Task Force', one of the Task Force priorities must be a self-assessment process (as listed in the proposal: Appendix A, IV D. and VI F.).

The members supported the initiative to obtain more information about other institutions' assessment process. The institutions mentioned in the Gen Ed review, especially those listed as 'Model Institutions', will receive additional attention. The gathered information will serve as a good reference point for SCSU assessment process.

The committee chairperson presented the latest report about the 'Program Assessment Survey' that was previously distributed. The conclusion was reached that the survey return rate was poor and not sufficient to perform the statistical analysis. It was a belief that the departments that were unsatisfied with the assessment process, had completed the survey first. To influence the departments to submit their survey, an e-mail reminder will be sent explaining the significance of the survey results. The departments that responded to the survey, will receive a thank you note.

To learn from other institutions' experiences in the assessment process, national meetings and conferences were recognized as another important method of data collection and networking. Members are encouraged to attend any of those upon their discretion. One possible choice could be the upcoming '2002 AAHE Assessment Conference', June 20 - 23, 2002 in Boston.

Adjourned at 12:00pm

Recorder: H.Podnar