August 17, 1998

SUBJECT: Proposed New Policy on Program Review

That the Board discuss this initial draft of the proposed new policy, identifying omissions or areas of concern. A version revised by the sponsors in light of this preliminary Board discussion would be circulated for comment by the administration, faculty, and community. The topic would then be returned to the Board for further committee discussion prior to a vote on final adoption in October or later.

The topic was made a policy-development priority by Board vote in November 1997.

The proposed policy would establish principles for review of the effectiveness of College programs by the administration and faculty, while the Board would not be directly involved in the reviews. Which will primarily result in recommendations for improved program performance, Board approval would be required for any major changes in program status. This is consistent with the Board focus on ends (AWhat, for whom, and at what cost?@) urged by the policy-governance model.

The policy has not direct budgetary impact.

Hunter Ellinger, Trustee
Carol Nasworthy, Trustee
Richard Fonte, President

Draft Policy

D-6. REVIEW OF INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
[first draft of possible policy on program review -- 6/14/98]

The President shall ensure that the College systematically reviews its instructional programs for effectiveness, for appropriateness to the mission and priorities established by policy, and for correspondence of program offerings to community demand.

Program reviews shall include these analyses:

[a] successful-completion rates, both overall and for various types of students,

[b] measures of program quality and value added,

[c] assessment of community demand for the program,

[d] efficiency of program resource use,

[e] comparison of program price and performance with that of alternate local suppliers, and

[f] a financial analysis of revenues and costs related to the program.

Such reviews shall be used to improve program performance, to guide resource allocation, and as the basis for recommendations to the Board on program status. Board approval is required to initiate or discontinue a program, to substantially change its scope, or to change it between credit and non-credit status.