Annual Department Report

In the interest of continuous improvement, Saint Vincent conducts regular reviews of academic departments and programs. This approach is considered best practice as it assures information is regularly collected, shared, and used to generate improvements. Our process has three components and is done in addition to the department assessment reports (DARs).

Annual Department Report: Each academic department and program (i.e., BLS, CWP, and Honors) will provide an annual report following a format document provided by Academic Affairs. Academic departments that have multiple programs can submit one report, but all programs should be addressed in it (e.g., Biological Sciences, Business Administration, etc.) Such departments can discuss the best approach to address multiple programs with their deans. The report is intended to provide information on the goals and accomplishments of a department/program over the prior academic year. Information on efficient operation, student satisfaction, faculty research, and other noteworthy achievements should be provided. Brief information on goals for the upcoming year should also be provided. Reports should typically be 3-5 pages, but no more than 10 pages in length and are due to the VPAA, the relevant School Dean, and the Director of Assessment and Institutional Research on August 1.

The report will be used in part to ensure that departments have adequate resources to achieve their goals and facilitate excellent student outcomes. For example, the report will provide important input into conversations on faculty staffing levels. Feedback on the report will be provided by the dean by October 15.

Comprehensive External Review: Each academic department will undergo a comprehensive external review on a regular, periodic basis, typically every 5-8 years. The comprehensive external review will include a campus visit by the review team. External reviews may not be necessary in instances where an external accreditor conducts a required review including an on-campus visit. In cases of external review, the review team will be given access to prior Annual Department Reports and other information necessary for the review. An Annual Department Report (as described above) need not be submitted in a year of an external review, though departments are expected to provide the external review team with current relevant data needed for the external review. External reviews will be coordinated by the department chair and Academic Affairs, with costs borne by Academic Affairs. The VPAA, in consultation with the deans, will manage the timing of comprehensive external reviews.

The comprehensive external review team will produce a report on the department that includes impressions of performance and success, commendations, and areas in need of improvement. The review team may provide recommendations to the VPAA on a department or program’s needs and likelihood of improvement. In the case of external review teams conducting accreditation reviews or renewal visits, the report will follow the protocols of the specific accreditor.

Continuous Improvement Meetings: Each department shall meet at least once a year to discuss the most recent reviews, whether Annual Department Reports or Comprehensive External Reviews. The department faculty should determine changes needed based on the reviews and pedagogical, educational, or other trends that necessitate adjustments. The minutes of these meetings should be provided to the VPAA’s office. In the Annual Department Report, the chair/director will record the changes made because of these meetings. The deans and/or VPAA may request changes based on reviews or other feedback. It is expected that changes will be reviewed in the subsequent years to assess their effectiveness.