The new VSC Policy 101 Process

The new VSC Policy 101 ProcessWhere we wereWhere we areWhere we want to be

VSC Policy 101 BackgroundPolicy provided for periodic (every 5 years) review of academic programsPrograms generated reports that were reviewed by Dean, President, VSC Committee, and Board of TrusteesReport addressed program mission, enrollment, financial status, graduates, and many other things

The Problems with Old Policy 101Process made programs feel they had to defend their programs existence, whereas purpose was program improvementFinancial and other data were hard to obtain or understand or agree withReports were cumbersome, and for nationally accredited programs, were duplicativeVery few people participated (often only a department chair) or even knew about itThere was almost no follow-up, so process seemed meaningless

Whats Being Done to Fix 101?VSC assembled a committee comprising all 5 colleges to overhaul the policy and proceduresGrant-funded effort by Davis FoundationPat Menchini, Leslie Hills, and Scott Sabol were Vermont Techs membersFocus groups galvanized understanding of shortcomings and good parts of the processPolicy 101 got rewritten and so did the template for writing reports

The new Policy 101Focus on program review and continuous improvement plans (PReCIP)Educational/learning outcomes are the primary thrustPunitive language and program cost-effectiveness no longer part of the processReport template simplified and clarifiedEspecially simple for accredited programsMore flexibilityImprovements of review committeesEmphasis on follow-up actions elevated

Whats Next?2012 cycle will serve to test the new policy, report template, and follow-up actionsAll program members should feel comfortable with helping to develop the reportMentoring program, outcomes assessment, and other assistance still be developed through 20122012 programs will help mentor the 2013 programs