Eastern Michigan University Systems Appraisal Feedback Report October 10, 2008 AQIP CATEGORY 8: PLANNING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Planning Continuous Improvement examines your institution’s planning processes and how your
strategies and action plans are helping you achieve your mission and vision. It examines your
institution's processes and systems related to institutional vision; planning; strategies and action plans;
coordination and alignment of strategies and action plans; measures and performance projections;
resource needs; faculty, staff, and administrator capabilities; measures; analysis of performance
projections and results; and efforts to continuously improve these areas.
Here are the Key Critical Characteristics of Eastern Michigan University that were identified by the
Systems Appraisal Team as most relevant for its interpretation of its Systems Portfolio section covering
Category 8, Planning Continuous Improvement:
Item
Critical Characteristic
O1e.
Eastern Michigan University is currently engaged in a thoughtful, evidence-based approach
to campus-wide planning
© 2008 Academic Quality Improvement Program, The Higher Learning Commission. All rights reserved. This report may be reproduced and distributed freely by Eastern Michigan University. Eastern Michigan University Systems Appraisal Feedback Report October 10, 2008 O1g.
Eastern Michigan University has adopted five core principles and four strategic directions
that guide decision-making, which emphasize learning, engagement with the community, and
diversity and multiculturalism.
O5a.
Most of Eastern Michigan University’s employees are represented by unions. The nonunion
employees include administrative/professional, confidential clerical employees and coaches.
O6c.
Eastern Michigan University has not received any state funding for capital expansion or
improvements since 1996. Despite the financial challenges, the University has implemented
several major improvement projects, including both physical and technology-related
upgrades. Several additional building projects totaling nearly $200M are planned, but state
appropriations for these are considered challenges.
O6f.
Eastern Michigan University's main campus is located southwest of the larger metropolitan
area of Detroit. The current economic conditions in southeast Michigan are negatively
affected by the downturn in the US auto industry and impact Eastern Michigan University and
the state overall.
© 2008 Academic Quality Improvement Program, The Higher Learning Commission. All rights reserved. This report may be reproduced and distributed freely by Eastern Michigan University. Eastern Michigan University Systems Appraisal Feedback Report October 10, 2008 Here are what the Systems Appraisal Team identified as Eastern Michigan University’s most important
strengths and opportunities for improvement relating to processes encompassed by Category 8,
Planning Continuous Improvement.
Item
S/O
8P1
S
Comment
Eastern Michigan University has developed and implemented a strategic
planning process (Figure 8.2). The major components of the planning process
include the following: identify internal and external factors; develop strategic
planning process and assessment strategies; periodic evaluation of plan; and
standardize practices. This planning process allows the institution to establish a
culture that understands and welcomes continuous improvement principles and
practices.
8P1
O
While a strategic planning process has been identified and two councils were
formed to steer the process, details of how these councils will work are sparse,
no means by which the stakeholders will be involved are articulated, and the
methods by which these processes will be communicated are not stated.
© 2008 Academic Quality Improvement Program, The Higher Learning Commission. All rights reserved. This report may be reproduced and distributed freely by Eastern Michigan University. Eastern Michigan University Systems Appraisal Feedback Report October 10, 2008 8P2
S
The University has developed a series of important strategic short-term
strategies as a function of their recent strategic planning process.
8P2-8P3
O
The processes for developing short- and long-term strategies are not stated in
substantive terms. While internal and external scans are noted as key drivers in
this process, it is not clear how these scans are conducted, nor is there an
identified process by which priorities are identified. No methods are identified
through which stakeholders have any input or involvement with institutional
strategies. Action plans to support institutional strategies, and reports to monitor
progress, are said to be created by divisions and units and their leaders. The
development and deployment of these processes will allow the University to
increase the level of commitment and engagement by all stakeholders involved.
8P4
S
The institution recently initiated a new budget planning process that is aligned
and linked with the strategic planning process.
8P5
O
The institution will need to develop and utilize a process to select and measure
institutional performance objectives.
© 2008 Academic Quality Improvement Program, The Higher Learning Commission. All rights reserved. This report may be reproduced and distributed freely by Eastern Michigan University. Eastern Michigan University Systems Appraisal Feedback Report October 10, 2008 8R1
S
Early results indicate that the University is making significant progress in the
areas of sponsored research and grants writing, academic advising, and campus
safety.
8R1
O
Eastern Michigan University provided some results related to several of the
short-term strategies outlined in Figure 8.1. However, there is a lack of evidence
related to any trend, key measures, segmentation, or performance level for the
results provided.
8R1
O
Eastern Michigan University only provides results for four of the 24 goals listed in
Figure 8.1 (Short-Term) strategies. The results for all of these goals would allow
Eastern Michigan University to measure the progress of these goals and the
achievement of its mission.
8R3
O
Eastern Michigan University does not have any comparison data that allows it to
gauge the effectiveness of its planning and improvement systems relative to
other institutions.
© 2008 Academic Quality Improvement Program, The Higher Learning Commission. All rights reserved. This report may be reproduced and distributed freely by Eastern Michigan University. Eastern Michigan University Systems Appraisal Feedback Report October 10, 2008 8I1, 8I2
O
It is too early at this point to report improvements, as Eastern Michigan University
indicates. However, as continuous improvement initiatives are instituted,
improvements will occur that should be reported in subsequent portfolios.
© 2008 Academic Quality Improvement Program, The Higher Learning Commission. All rights reserved. This report may be reproduced and distributed freely by Eastern Michigan University.