PROGRAM REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE
 
Minutes of: October 9th 2003

Present: C. Coron, M.Kennedy, J. McCombes-Tolis, M. Moss, R. Mugno, H. Podnar, E. Schmitt, W. Shyam.
Started: 9:45am.

Following the discussion about the need for training and information gathering, Dr. Marianne Kennedy presented the members with a possibility of sending five PRAC members to a one-day workshop "Demonstrating Quality through Assessment", Worcester, MA. (More information about the workshop can be found here.) The funding for the workshop will be kindly provided by the Office of Academic Affairs. A number of members expressed their interest in attending. One of the forum presentation will be given by two SCSU representatives: Dr. DonnaJean Fredeen and Dr. Henry Hein : "Establishing Priorities for Resource Allocation Using Program Effectiveness Criteria: A Leadership Perspective. Given this presentation topic, the discussion about the SCSU administration view of the assessment followed.

Dr. Kennedy provided copies of the Graduate Program Standards, a 15 point list of standards to be followed by graduate programs. (The standards and the Evaluation procedures can be found on-line: standards, procedures .)

Dr. Kennedy pointed that the current version of the UCF constitution allows for faculty input in defining the assessment procedures and standards. The members decided to gather all the previously collected information regarding successful assessment programs, and put the topic of a new assessment model on the next meeting's agenda. The discussion touched upon the topic of external evaluators. It was highlighted that all of the departments have found the external evaluation to be a useful part of the process.

As a step in establishing a culture of assessment at SCSU, Dr. Kennedy is considering organizing an assessment forum in the nearest future.

The final moments of the meeting were devoted to a short history of the assessment process at SCSU.

Adjourned at 11:00am

Recorder: H.Podnar