DATE:
March 28, 2000
TO:
Julie Furst-Bowe, Associate Vice Chancellor
FROM:
Howard Lee, Dean
College of Technology, Engineering and Management
SUBJECT:
Program Review Response for M.S. in Training and Development
On behalf of the College of Technology, Engineering and Management, and more specifically, the M.S.
in Training and Development faculty, I would like to express appreciation for the fine work performed by
the PRC and, especially the two consultants assigned. This review is very timely, and the suggestions for
improvement will only enhance the program. A response to each recommendation is listed below:
1. The program director and department chair should work together to obtain additional staffing for the
program through hiring an additional faculty member or increased use of qualified adjunct
instructors.
Response:
While this request may seem reasonable, it is the assumption of the PRC that the department/college
has free allocations. The fact of the matter is, the department and college does not. There are
frequently turnover savings dollars to hire additional faculty in areas of need. My assessment of the
program does not indicate a need for an additional faculty member. However, a pool of qualified
adjunct faculty is needed. The department chair will work with the program director, training faculty,
and the program advisory committee to identify people to contact and begin to develop a list of
qualified adjunct faculty to teach some of the courses off campus. A list of two adjunct faculty to
teach each off-campus course will be developed by September 2000.
2. The program director should review curriculum for duplication and explore the addition of new
courses to meet the needs of students and employers.
Response:
While some duplication is always desirable, massive duplication leads to dilution of programs and
courses. The program has a matrix that looks at competencies and content in courses. The
competencies are based on ASTD research. To meet this recommendation, the competencies will
first be reviewed and updated. ASTD will again be the foundation but, in addition, the program
director will review the competencies with the program faculty and program committee during the
Fall 2000 advisory committee meeting. The program faculty will then evaluate the content of each
course against the competencies and analyze the duplication. Excessive duplication will be removed
and all courses updated by September 2001. The new matrix will be approved by the program
advisory committee in Fall 2001.
3. The program director should collect and report assessment data in an annual “Assessment in Major”
report.
Response:
The program director will schedule a meeting during Spring 2000 with Julie Furst-Bowe, Associate
Vice Chancellor, to discuss the development of an assessment plan. A preliminary assessment tool
will be developed by mid-April and mailed to students in May 2000. The data will be used to provide
data for the annual assessment in major report and for the development of an assessment plan. The
assessment plan will be developed and shared with the program advisory committee during Spring
2001. The plan will be revised and implemented during Fall 2001.
4. The program director should work with the Placement Office in developing strategies for assisting
graduates in finding jobs in the field.
Response:
The program director will meet with the Placement Office Summer 2000 and develop a plan to ensure
companies are aware of the M.S. in Training and Development program. The plan will be shared
with the program advisory committee during the Fall 2000 meeting and revised accordingly.
5. The program director, department chair, and dean should continue working with the campus planner
to develop appropriate facilities for the program.
Response:
All parties have communicated the need for appropriate facilities to the campus planner. Once the
new communications building is done, we have been assured that the vacated space presently
occupied by campus printing will be remodeled into appropriate facilities for the M.S. Training and
Development. The department chair has made efforts to update the present classroom by installing a
computer projector in each of the major classrooms. Plans are to continue these updates as the budget
permits.
6. The program director, department chair, and dean should explore further and define the development
of a conference/training facility which could be utilized by the program as well as the greater
university community.
Response:
The program director, department chair and dean are well aware of this need. If the position of the
state planner is to build a new building, then the conference/training facilities will be incorporated
into the building. Unfortunately this building, if approved, is six years away from construction.
Other possibilities include looking at existing facilities that could be remodeled and/or looking for a
private donation to build a separate conference center.