Academic Program Review: Policies and Procedures
Visiting Team and Visit Schedule
- When a program is reviewed, the faculty select a team of recognized peers from distinguished programs at peer or more highly ranked institutions to visit here and to consult with faculty, staff, students, and administrators on the future plans of the program. Review teams typically include a minimum of three experts, although programs with complex structures or specific needs may need to include a larger number of reviewers. The primary responsibility for the final selection of the members of the review team lies with the college Dean to whom the unit reports. The Office of the EVPP reviews the nominations of proposed members for the external review teams. For college-wide reviews, the Provost is responsible for the final selection of the members and chair of the review team, based on the recommendations of the faculty and Dean of that college.
- The College is responsible for coordinating the schedule for the visit with the unit undergoing review and with members of the university administration. The length of time the team is on campus will vary with the size and complexity of the program; a two- or three-day visit should be sufficient for a review of most academic units. During the visit, team members meet with groups of faculty, staff, and students in the department as well as the department Chair, the Dean(s) and Associate Dean(s) of the corresponding college, and with the Provost and university administrators. The schedule should be arranged to include entrance and exit interviews with the leadership of the unit; the Dean(s) with administrative responsibility for the program being reviewed; and university administrators designated by the Provost. Each of these should be separate meetings.
- During the exit meeting with the Provost and university administrators, the team is invited to provide a preview of its observations and its plans for the forthcoming report.
- The schedule should be arranged to accommodate the reviewers' need to have time to work individually and as a team. In addition, the schedule should include time for the team to meet with students.
