Unit Strategic Plan
2012/2013
Outcome Assessment Report
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Strategic Planning
2012/2013
Outcome Unit Report
The CWU Strategic Plan is the map that guides the progress toward fulfilling our institutional
mission. A large and representative group of faculty and staff, the Strategic Operations Team,
collaboratively developed this plan more than two years ago. Since that time, as the fluid
document it was designed to be, it has undergone several revisions. In its current form, the
CWU Strategic Plan can be found at this link: http://www.cwu.edu/resources-reports/currentstrategic-plan-and-versions.
Last year (2012/2013), units developed and revised Unit Strategic Plans. Unit Strategic Plans will
serve as the basis of reporting progress toward achieving the mission of the institution. These
reports are to be submitted to your appropriate reporting authority (Dean for academic
departments, Director, Assistant/ Associate Vice President for other areas) no later than
November 1, 2013.
As you will see in the attachment, the format for reporting will utilize the template of your Unit
Strategic Plan. You may wish to simply add a column titled “Outcome Assessment” to the Unit
Strategic Plan that you submitted in December 2012, and that was subsequently approved by
your reporting authority.
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AY 2012/2013
Unit Strategic Planning Report
Unit: ___Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies___________
Reporting Authority: ___Matthew Altman, Chair_____________
Date: ___October 28, 2013______________
A: Please complete the column titled “Outcome Assessment” on your own Unit Strategic Plan. Complete with as much detail as
you can provide. Where you cannot obtain data to complete the assessment, put “Data not available.” in the space.
B. Please summarize each of the University’s Five Core Themes from your Unit Strategic Plan Outcome Assessment report.
We are focusing on the following Five Core Themes: Teaching and Learning, Inclusiveness and Diversity, Scholarship and Creative
Expression, Public Service and Community Engagement, and Resource Development and Stewardship.
Toward which theme(s) did you make progress, and how are students benefitting from this?
In 2012-2013, the Philosophy & Religious Studies Department contributed especially to Inclusiveness and Diversity. PHIL/RELS
faculty are some of the most active faculty on campus when it comes to service, with three faculty serving as directors of
interdisciplinary programs, and all faculty serving on multiple department, college, faculty senate, and university committees.
Course offerings also reflect a commitment to diversity, with designated and required diversity courses in Philosophy (5 offered in
AY 2012-2013) and coverage of Eastern and Western traditions in Religious Studies.
Students receive an inherent benefit from being exposed to a range of philosophical and religious traditions and perspectives, a
benefit that is recognized by Central Washington University’s Strategic Goal IV: “Build inclusive and diverse campus communities
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that promote intellectual inquiry and encourage civility, mutual respect, and cooperation.” However, the Philosophy & Religious
Studies Department’s commitment to inclusiveness also has instrumental benefits. Students are better able to make connections
between PHIL/RELS and other disciplines, to relate their schoolwork to concerns of the community, and to see the connection
between their intellectual inquiry and real-world issues.
Students are benefitting from PHIL/RELS faculty’s engagement in faculty governance, among other reasons, because our
involvement with interdisciplinary programs prepares students for a professional world with porous disciplinary boundaries,
where interdisciplinary collaboration promotes innovative thinking.
Which theme(s) deserve special attention next year?
In 2013-2014, we will strengthen our performance in Scholarship and Creative Expression. Although PHIL/RELS faculty performed
above expectations, with numerous conference presentations and publications, student presentations did not meet our
department goal. Efforts will be made to generate more public presentations of student scholarship.
C. How do you intend to utilize the data gathered this year to assist you in developing stronger programs?
Generally speaking, this demonstrates areas that need to be strengthened, and it allows us to adjust strategies to meet those
expectations. Specifically, we will increase recruitment for students to participate in public presentations of their research, we
will develop methods for attracting new majors and minors, and we will devise a more intentional approach toward online
courses — all of which are areas that are stressed in our Strategic Plan.
D. Based on your learning from this first year report, what parts of your strategic plan will you modify, add to, or omit for next
year? (Please attach an updated Strategic Plan with changes highlighted.)
Budgeted amounts for summer teaching and research grants will not be set at a particular amount to account for fluctuating
budgets and demand for such grants from PHIL/RELS faculty.
The department is currently evaluating its online presence. Given that we already offer a number of online courses, our goal will
be to maintain or increase our online course offerings rather than simply increasing them.
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The instrument for measuring our performance at 1.2.1.1 is: “Students will evaluate our advising at 3 or higher (on a 5 point
scale).” No such survey was given to students in 2012-2013. We will adjust our exit survey accordingly.
We will also create an alumni survey, which we do not currently have.
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UNIVERSITY CORE THEME: 1. TEACHING AND LEARNING
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 1.1 Enhance student success by continually improving the curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular
programs.
Unit
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performanc
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource Outcome Assessment
Outcomes
Performance
e Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
1.1.1
Department
will create
and/or
maintain
high quality
programs.
1.1.1.1
Annual
Assessment
Report of
Student
Learning
Outcomes
100% of
programs
(majors and
minors)
document
implementation
of changes to
address issues
raised by
assessment
information.
Department
Ensure that sound
assessment plan is
linked to new
university plan;
ensure that
information collected
for assessment is
meaningful by
evaluating yearly,
discussing it
collectively, and
revising and/or
increasing
documentation as
needed.
Since this is the first
year with the Strategic
Plan, these are the first
assessment numbers.
We will implement
changes to address
these issues in the
coming year, and we
will document such
changes in next year’s
report.
1.1.1.2
Signature/uniq
ue status in
state and/or
region
Department
will have at
least one
undergraduate
program that is
unique or
signature as
compared to
peer
institutions in
the state or
region.
Department
Be sure department
and programs are
aware of
counterparts at peer
institutions;
department should
make known (on
website, marketing
materials and other
reports) their
unique/ signature
status.
The Department has
two undergraduate
programs (Philosophy
and Religious Studies)
that are unique or
signature. There are
four ways in which we
accomplish this goal:
1. Coverage of both
Western and Eastern
traditions in both
philosophy and
religious studies.
2. An innovative
religious studies
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1.1.2
Students
within
departmental
programs
will
demonstrate
disciplinary
knowledge
and skill
excellence.
1.1.2.1
Annual
Assessment
Report of
Student
Learning
Outcomes
At least 85% of
majors will
receive a C or
better in
required
courses for the
relevant
specialization.
90% of senior
theses need to
obtain at least
“met
expectations”
on senior
thesis rubric.
Department
Continue mentoring
on and monitoring of
assessment.
specialization that
requires crossover
courses in philosophy.
3. A service-learning
requirement that helps
students transition to
the job market, and that
demonstrates the value
of philosophy and
religious studies for
their future professions.
4. An emphasis on
student research, as
demonstrated by
progressive
expectations in
required coursework
and a culminating
thesis project.
90.6% of majors
received a C or better
in required courses
(89.4% of Philosophy
majors and 94.2% of
Religious Studies
majors).
100% of senior theses
met or exceeded
expectations in each of
the five student
learning outcomes on
the senior thesis rubric.
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1.1.3
Faculty will
demonstrate
effective
teaching
skills. *
1.1.3.1
SEOI scores
Faculty will
obtain SEOI
scores near, at
or above the
college
average.
SEOI Reports
Ensure that faculty
encourage students
to complete SEOIs;
Faculty will monitor
SEOIs quarterly;
Chair and DPC to
monitor SEOIs
yearly and will
individually and/or
collectively discuss
any responses that
fall below the
college average.
1.1.4
Once
admitted to
department
major,
students will
persist to
graduation
with
increased
efficiency
and rate.*
1.1.4.1
Graduation
Data
Majors in our
programs will
graduate at,
near or above
the university
rate.
Department; Faculty
Advisors
Ensure that students
meet regularly with
advisors; majors will
attend twice yearly
convocations; four
year plans will be
available to all
students and
revised/updated as
necessary.
All but one of
PHIL/RELS faculty had
SEOI scores near, at,
or above the college
average. The one NTT
faculty with
substandard scores
was not rehired, after
review by the
Personnel Committee.
The department is
concerned about low
online SEOI return
rates across the
university and is
pressing the university
for a solution.
2011 – 6 years or less
Univ. 94%
Dept. 95%
2011 – 5 years or less
Univ. 82%
Dept. 90%
2011 – 4 years or less
Univ. 61%
Dept. 43%
2012 – 6 years or less
Univ. 93%
Dept. 92%
2012 – 5 years or less
Univ. 84%
Dept. 85%
2012 – 4 years or less
Univ. 62%
Dept. 41%
Department graduated
majors in 2011 and
2012 at, near, or above
the university rate for
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1.1.5
The
department
will enhance
student
development
through
interdisciplin
ary offerings
1.1.5.1
Academic
Scheduling
Maintain
and/or
increase
course
offerings and
cross-listed
courses with
diverse
departments
and programs.
Department
Maintain or enhance
collaboration with
diverse departments
and programs at
CWU.
1.1.5.2
Department
Summer
Teaching
Grants
Maintain one
or more
teaching
innovation
grants @
$2000 each.
Department
Maintain or enhance
summer revenue.
None
students graduating in
5 or 6 years or less,
although the
department’s rate for
students finishing in 4
years or less is lower.
That may be because
PHIL/RELS students
tend to be double
majors, and so it may
take them longer, on
average, to graduate.
In 2012-2013, the
department offered
required or elective
courses in Women’s &
Gender Studies, Film &
Video Studies, Asia
Pacific Studies,
American Indian
Studies, Primate
Behavior, and PreMedicine. PHIL/RELS
faculty taught courses
in the Douglas Honors
College. PHIL/RELS
faculty also directed
three interdisciplinary
programs: Women’s
and Gender Studies,
Asia Pacific Studies,
and Douglas Honors
College
One teaching
innovation grant was
awarded in summer
2013.
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UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 1.2 Enhance the effectiveness of student support services.
Unit
Outcomes
1.2.1
Faculty will
provide
excellent
advising
services as
evidenced by
superior
ratings
through
senior exit
and alumni
surveys
Indicators
1.2.1.1
Senior Exit
Survey
Alumni
Surveys
1.2.1.2
Advising
materials
Expected
Performance
Level
(Criterion)
Indicator/Performance
Level Reported By
Students will
evaluate our
advising at 3
or higher (on a
5 point scale).
Department
Advising
materials will
be updated
and visible on
department
webpage and
distributed to
advising
services.
Department Chair, Staff
Institutional Research
Survey or Survey
Monkey
Key Strategies/
Initiatives
Budget/Resource
Analysis
Equitable
distribution of
advisees; maintain
pre-advisor for our
programs; marketing
materials; semiannual convocation
for majors
(recommended for
minors).
Department will
create, maintain,
and revise advising
materials for internal
and external
distribution.
Outcome Assessment
Data not available. (No
survey of advising was
performed in 20122013.) This will be
added to our exit
survey.
Department website is
updated and materials
are visible. Advising
materials are available
to faculty advisors as
well as the advising
office.
UNIVERSITY CORE THEME: 2. INCLUSIVENESS AND DIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 2.1 Enhance the environment of inclusiveness for faculty, staff, and students
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Unit
Outcomes
2.1.1
The
department
will
demonstrate
its
commitment
to
inclusivenes
s through
active
participation
of faculty in
the shared
governance
of the
university.*
Indicators
2.1.1
Faculty
Activity
Reports
Expected
Performance
Level
(Criterion)
Indicator/Performance
Level Reported By
Faculty will
participate in
at least one
committee
each year.
Department
Key Strategies/
Initiatives
Faculty, in
consultation with
the department
Chair and
collectively with
departmental
colleagues, will
discuss committee
participation.
Budget/Resource
Analysis
Outcome Assessment
In 2012-2013, 100% of
T/TT faculty participated
in at least one
committee at the
department, college,
faculty senate, or
university level.
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 2.2 Increase faculty, staff, and student diversity by active programs of recruitment and retention for members
of underrepresented groups.
Unit
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource Outcome Assessment
Outcomes
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 2.3: Ensure that CWU has an inclusive and diverse curriculum
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Unit
Outcomes
2.3.1
The
department
will
encourage
an
understandi
ng and
appreciation
of the
diverse
traditions,
perspectives
, and ideas
in the
disciplines
of
philosophy/r
eligious
studies.
Indicators
Expected
Performance
Level
(Criterion)
Indicator/Performance
Level Reported By
2.3.1.1
Annual
Assessment
Report of
Student
Learning
Outcomes
At least two
upper division
philosophy
courses
designated as
diversity
courses will
be offered
yearly.
Department
Program
requirements
Course
Catalog
Key Strategies/
Initiatives
The department will
maintain, vary
and/or increase its
curriculum as
related to diversity
and inclusiveness.
Religious
studies
courses will
maintain
rotation of
offerings to
represent the
diverse
traditions and
offer a course
each year to
address
current issues.
Budget/Resource
Analysis
Outcome Assessment
In 2012-2013, we
offered five courses that
satisfied the
department’s diversity
requirement. That
greatly exceeds our
target.
In 2012-2013, we
offered a variety of
courses in Western and
Eastern religious
traditions, as well as
different religions within
those traditions. We did
not offer a contemporary
course. This gap in our
offerings will, hopefully,
eventually be filled with
the hire of a new TT
faculty member in
Religious Studies.
UNIVERSITY CORE THEME: 3. SCHOLARSHIP AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 3.1 Increase the emphasis on and the opportunities for students, faculty and staff to participate in research,
scholarship, and creative expression activities.
Unit
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource Outcome Assessment
Outcomes
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
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3.1.1
Students
and faculty
will
demonstrate
excellence
in
scholarship
through
regular
yearly
participation
in
presentation
s and/or
publications.
*
3.1.1.1
Faculty
Activity
Reports
SOURCE
presentations
External
undergraduate
conference
reports
3.1.2
The
department
will maintain
or increase
support for
faculty and
student
research.
3.1.2.1
Department
Faculty
Development
Fund Report
100% of T/TT
faculty will
deliver a
presentation
and/or publish
an article,
chapter, etc,
yearly, in
keeping with
departmental
personnel
policies.
Department
10% of majors
will present at
SOURCE or
other
undergraduate
venues.
Fund all
worthy
conference
and/or
workshop
applications in
a given year.
Maintain one
or more
summer
Department
Maintain or
increase summer
revenue in order to
support faculty
conferences and
other scholarly
endeavors;
mentoring of new
faculty.
In 2012-2013, the five
T/TT PHIL/RELS
faculty presented at a
total of 11 conferences,
and published 1 book, 1
book chapter, and 2
articles. 100% of the
T/TT faculty
accomplished this goal.
Honors Thesis
students are
required to present
thesis.
100% of honors thesis
students presented in
2012-13.
Faculty
encouragement of
majors to present
and assist students
with funding for
external
conferences, if
necessary, through
summer revenue.
In 2012-13, 5% of
PHIL/RELS students
presented at SOURCE
or other undergraduate
venues (3 PHIL/RELS
students presented at
SOURCE in May 2013,
and 1 PHIL student
presented at the Pacific
University
Undergraduate
Philosophy
Conference).
Department contributed
some or all of the
funding for every
conference or
workshop attended by
T/TT faculty.
Enhance summer
revenue with
strategic course
offerings.
Maintain or
increase summer
revenue in order to
support faculty
conferences and
other scholarly
One summer research
grant was awarded in
2012. None were
awarded in 2013.
Page 13
research
grants @
$2000 each.
endeavors.
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 3.2 Increase the external funding received for research, scholarship, and creative expression by faculty, staff,
and students.
Unit
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource
Outcomes
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
UNIVERSITY CORE THEME: 4. PUBLIC SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 4.1 Enhance the commitment and the level of cooperation between the university and external communities.
Unit
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource
Outcome Assessment
Outcomes
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
4.1.1
Improve
visibility of
the
department
4.1.1.1
Website
content and
design
Websites are
informative,
user-friendly,
relatively free
of error, and
up-to-date.
Department Chair, Staff
Ensure training in
web content
management
system with one or
more persons
responsible for web
maintenance.
Support staff and
department chair are
trained in web content
management system.
Website content is
reviewed, evaluated for
content, and updated at
the beginning of each
quarter and is reviewed
for content throughout
the year.
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4.1.2
The
department
will
demonstrate
its
commitment
and
connection
to the
community
by providing
a variety of
cultural and
educational
activities.
4.1.1.2
Facebook
pages
Department
maintains a
Facebook
presence.
Department Chair, Staff
Engage PR or
graphic design
intern, if necessary,
to provide
mentoring on
popular social
media sites.
Support staff and a
faculty member maintain
Facebook pages and
announce department
events and information
throughout the year.
4.1.2.1
Annual
Assessment
Report of
Student
Learning
Outcomes
At least six
times per
academic year
the
department
will offer or cosponsor a
cultural and/or
educational
activity open
to the larger
CWUcommunity.
Department
Organizing
Department
Colloquia with
invitation to greater
CWU community.
In 2012-2013,
PHIL/RELS organized
and sponsored/cosponsored twelve cultural
and/or education
activities open to the
larger CWU community,
including department
colloquia, guest
speakers, a special
musical performance, etc.
Faculty Activity
Reports
Sponsoring guest
speakers and/or
events in
connection with key
courses each term.
Maintain
collaboration with
campus speaker
series and events
by invitation.
Maintain and/or
increase summer
revenue to support
funding for external
speakers or events.
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 4.2 Increase participation in university sponsored life-long learning opportunities.
Unit Outcomes
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
Guest speakers and/or
events were
collaborations with the
CAH theme, Center for
Diversity and Social
Justice, Women’s and
Gender Studies,
Asia/Pacific Studies, and
Douglas Honors College.
Department used
summer revenue for
these events.
Outcome Assessment
Page 15
4.2.1
The department
will
demonstrate
successful
community
engagement by
maintaining,
revising and/or
increasing its
classes and
offerings
geared towards
the local
communities
surrounding
Ellensburg and
Center
locations.
4.2.1.1
Academic
Scheduling
Department
will increase
online courses
within next two
years to
relevant
programs.
Department
Continue to
monitor, revise and
increase course
offerings, as
needed, in
collaboration with
undergraduate
studies and CWU
Centers.
In AY 2011-2012 and
summer 2012,
Department offered a
total of 14 online courses
and 7 hybrid courses. In
AY 2012-2013 and
summer 2013, we offered
a total of 11 online
courses and 6 hybrid
courses. That marks a
drop in online offerings.
Our goal is to maintain or
increase online offerings
for summer 2014 and
beyond.
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 4.3 Enhance the efforts of members of the university community to strengthen the economic base of the region
and state.
Unit Outcomes
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource
Outcome Assessment
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
CORE THEME: 5. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & STEWARDSHIP
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 5.1 Maximize the financial resources to the University, and assure the efficient and effective operations of the
University through financial stewardship.
Page 16
Unit Outcomes
Indicators
Expected
Performance
Level
(Criterion)
Indicator/Performance
Level Reported By
5.1.1
The department
will maintain
and/or increase
enrollment in
all degree
offerings,
depending on
resources.*
5.1.1.1
Enrollment
Manageme
nt Reports
Department
will maintain
or increase
number of
majors and
minors by
10% in the
next three
years.
Department
Key Strategies/
Initiatives
Budget/Resource
Analysis
Continue
recruitment &
retention strategies;
establish twice
yearly required
majors
convocations,
recommended for
minors; maintain
awareness of
student interests &
discipline
developments;
have faculty
support, not
currently in place,
to address
changing dynamics
of department
disciplines.
Outcome Assessment
Department increased
number of majors by 36%
between Winter 2010 and
winter 2013. Exceeding
our performance goal so
dramatically shows that
there is demand for
Philosophy & Religious
Studies majors.
Department increased
number of minors by 19%
between winter 2010 and
winter 2013. Exceeding
our performance goal so
dramatically shows that
there is demand for
Philosophy & Religious
Studies minors.
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 5.2 Develop and implement enrollment management and marking plans that meet the enrollment objectives of
the university.
Unit Outcomes
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource
Outcome Assessment
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
5.2.1
The department
will encourage
human
resource
development
through
5.2.1.1
Tenured
and tenuretrack
faculty
numbers
Within next
two years
department
will obtain a
new TT line in
Religious
Studies.
Department
Strategic Planning
and/or External
Reviewer
Maintain argument
that lack of
additional line is
limiting recruitment
to the Religious
Studies
specialization.
Convert existing
NTT position into a
TT position in
Religious Studies
within two years to
meet student
interest and
Department has been
approved to make a
Visiting Assistant
Professor hire for 20142015, with the intention
that it will become a TT
line in 2015-2016.
Page 17
funding and
supporting
professional
development
opportunities
and
participation
for all faculty
and staff.
Non-tenure
track
numbers
demands in
Christianity.
Maintain or
increase office
support staff.
Office support staff
(secretary senior) has
been maintained.
Staff
numbers
5.2.1.2
Summer
Grants
Conference
and/or
Workshop
Support
Maintain one
or more
summer
research
grants @
$2000 each
Department
Maintain or
increase Summer
Revenue.
One summer research
grant was awarded in
2012. None were awarded
in 2013.
Maintain one
or more
teaching
innovation
grants @
$2000 each
One summer teaching
grant was awarded in
2013.
Fund all
worthy
conference
and/or
workshop
applications in
a given year
Department contributed
some or all of the funding
for every conference or
workshop attended by
T/TT faculty.
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 5.3 Ensure the University has human resources necessary to accomplish all university objectives.
Unit Outcomes
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource
Outcome Assessment
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
Page 18
5.3.1
The department
exhibits
equipment,
facility, and
technology
quality and
relevance by
assuring that
all is up-todate, working
and accessible.
Up-to-date
technology
for faculty
and staff.
All faculty and
staff will have
updated
technological
needs in
accordance
with standard
four year
replacement
cycle.
Department
Maintain records of
technology needs;
maintain and
increase summer
revenue.
Department purchased
five computers for
department faculty and
staff in 2011-2012 and
2012-13. Although four
computers (out of 11)
have not been replaced in
the last four years, we
plan to continue our
progress this year.
UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE 5.4 Provide the facility and technology infrastructure and services appropriate to meet the university objectives,
while maximizing sustainability and stewardship.
Unit Outcomes
Indicators
Expected
Indicator/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource
Outcome Assessment
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
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