Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Academic Review Process
CEPS Dean’s Review
July 22, 2008
The Academic Program Review Process.
The Academic Program Review is one of the most viable and cogent activities, in which the
faculty of a department engages to assess its programs. The assessment includes curricula,
instruction, advising, scholarship, and service. As stated in the preamble to the APR guidelines
document, the program review process “… provides basic information on the nature of the
department’s programs and gives the faculty’s assessment of the program’s strengths and
weaknesses. A program of self-study is the faculty’s opportunity to scrutinize itself, to publicize
its accomplishments and examine its shortcomings.” Within the context of the Central
Washington University Plan, the Academic Program Review process is an opportunity for the
faculty and staff in the department, as well as the college dean and the Associate Vice president
for Undergraduate Studies, to determine the degree to which a department meets the mission,
vision, core values, and strategic goals of the university. Moreover, the Academic Program
Review provides a formal process by which the department’s faculty and staff can examine their
academic activities in the contest of their own mission and strategic goals.
External Visit
The on-campus external review occurred from February 20 to 22, 2008. Dr. Virginia Clark
Johnson, Dean of the College of Human Development and Education at North Dakota State
University, reviewed the Family Studies, Fashion Merchandising, Family and Consumer Science
Education, and Interior Design programs. Dr. John Crossley, representing the Recreation
Administration and Leisure Studies Programs at California State University, Fresno, reviewed
the Recreation and Tourism program.
Strengths of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
The mission of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is to discover, create, and
disseminate new knowledge, which will enhance the quality of life for American families; and, to
transmit knowledge to students in family and consumer sciences which will allow them to be
responsible leaders in their fields, professions, and society. The department’s mission is aligned
with the Central Washington University mission. Both the university and departmental missions
acknowledge a responsibility to prepare students for responsible citizenship and enlightened and
productive lives.
The viability and commitment to the university, college and departmental visions are strengths
and guiding principles, which are manifested throughout the department and include the
following strengths:
Leadership. Both external reviewers specifically commented on the strength of the
department leadership. Johnson specifically stated that FCS has “a department chair who is
committed, caring and competent.” She went on to say that faculty feel good about the
department leadership.
Faculty. Each of the tenured/tenure track and non-tenure track faculty has a high level of
expertise, credentials and experience in his/her fields. Faculty are committed to providing
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 1
quality curriculum, instruction, and advising to students. Faculty are also well supported
with professional development funds for conference travel.
Students. According to V. Johnson, external reviewer, “Students are excited about their
programs and are quick to say that they are glad they picked Central Washington and their
specific major.”
Program Quality. The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is composed of
academically high quality programs that offer excellent comprehensive programming. All
programs have assessment plans and identified goals that are aligned with the college and
university.
Instruction. Faculty dedication to the students and their areas of expertise is evident in
faculty excitement about their teaching and their continual endeavors to enhance their
teaching with the most appropriate instructional strategies, technology, cooperative learning,
and engagement of students.
Scholarship and External Funding. The department has numerous internal and external
grants. For example, the Family Resource Center will provide services and educational
programs that are available to the campus and community.
Service and Professional Activities. In addition to scholarly activities, faculty serve in a
variety of leadership roles on campus, in the community and state, and in professional
organizations.
Challenges and Recommendations for the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Faculty Issues. Stabilize the department by finalizing identified changes in the next
academic year and allowing for a period of stability.
1. Ensure teaching loads allow time for scholarship expectations.
2. Increase professional development opportunities for faculty to stay current in their
scholarship activities.
3. Identify areas for potential growth and focus on adding faculty to those areas.
4. Identify priority staffing needs of the department based on student enrollment and FTE
trends.
5. Identify a “tag-line” that reflects the common focus for the department and can be used
as marketing and recruiting tools.
6. Identify a central focus for the department by reviewing the name of the department to
reflect programs that are part of the department.
Programs. Assessment of program graduates needs to be strengthened. Additionally, alumni
and employer surveys will provide useful data for program improvement. Although several
programs have assessment plans and identified goals in place, data for all programs is not
being consistently collected and aggregated at the department level.
1. Ensure course syllabi are up to accreditation body standards.
2. Ensure time is allocated to program and assessment planning.
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 2
3. Implement program assessment plans by collecting and aggregating standards-based data
needs.
4. Use data to show/document program outcomes and needs.
5. Develop effective department feedback surveys for alumni and students.
6. Track alumni and solicit employer feedback for each program.
7. Develop advisory councils formed of industry practitioners and experts.
8. Increase staff support to assist faculty with administrative tasks and maintain the
department website.
Students. Interviews with students were mostly positive. Students communicated a sincere
interest in their major and future profession. Students can register for courses required for
their program without difficulty, except for ACCT 301. Additionally, all students gain some
level of practical field experience. There is discussion of reestablishing the student club,
which Crossley stated was a positive factor for accreditation.
1. Encourage students to be more proactive in declaring their major.
2. Identify strategies to get students into their majors earlier.
Technology. According to the external reviewer, students have resources available, but the
resources are not state of the art and not readily available for student use. Also, it was noted
that faculty have up to date computer work stations and that most classrooms are SMART
classrooms.
1. Keep websites updated with accurate information.
2. Update equipment and provide classrooms with current technology specific to course and
program needs.
3. Develop a department fund to support the purchase of instructional materials.
Facilities. The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is located in Michaelsen Hall,
which includes classrooms and faculty office space. Many of the spaces are not accessible if
a person is in a wheelchair. Additionally, the building is not air-conditioned. Since Dean
Hall is scheduled to reopen Fall 2008, it is recommended that space issues in Michaelsen be
addressed after College of the Sciences faculty and staff have moved into Dean Hall.
Movement into Dean Hall will create a domino effect on campus with building space
opening and faculty then moving into the vacated spaces. The CWU space analyst will then
be able to determine available space throughout campus.
Recommendations:
1. Reexamine space use and accessibility in relation to program and student needs.
Individual Program Strengths and Recommendations.
Family Studies
Strengths
1. The two recently hired tenure track faculty members who have a high level of expertise,
credentials, and experience in their fields.
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 3
2. Students are enthusiastic about the program.
3. The program meets standards to be recognized as a Certified Family Life Education
Program.
Recommendations
1. Provide training for faculty to implement the assessment plan and collect identified data.
2. Submit an application to become a Certified Family Life Education program.
3. Develop a core of courses that all students take that focus on the life span and provide
students access to career information.
4. Develop a plan to recruit students and grow the program.
5. Consider making practicum a requirement for all students – either a quarter long
experience or several short-term experiences.
6. Put the graduate program on hold to allow faculty to consider the type of graduate
program that would be a good fit with the undergraduate program and program mission.
Fashion Merchandising
Strengths
1. New faculty member with industry experience.
2. Growth in major with the potential to attract more students.
3. Active student organization.
Recommendations
1. Update equipment and provide a classroom with current technology.
2. Add one full-time position for a faculty member with a doctorate in apparel/textiles to
add diversity to the program.
3. Increase opportunities for field trips/study tours to provide students with additional
knowledge about the profession.
4. Ensure the curriculum meets national professional standards.
FCS Education
Strengths
1. Faculty with experience in the profession.
2. NCATE and FCSE standards used to plan the curriculum.
3. Job opportunities available for graduates of the program.
Recommendations
1. Provide training for faculty to implement the assessment plan and collect identified data.
2. Review program assessments to ensure data are collected and aggregated on all
standards.
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 4
3. Ensure course scheduling considers faculty work-loads and that loads are kept
reasonable.
4. Eliminate the graduate program option of arranged courses and focus on strengthening
the regional program.
5. Identify strategies to have students meet with advisors earlier in the program.
Interior Design
Strengths
1. Two part-time faculty who are practicing professionals.
2. An active student organization.
3. Required internships.
Recommendations
1. Phase-out this program and reallocate resources to other places in the department.
Recommendation is made due to:
a. Lack of full time faculty.
b. The program is an “emphasis,” not a major.
c. Limited sample library resources.
d. Drafting tables in need of repair.
e. Program standards are out-of-date and need to be updated.
f. Since the program is not a major, accreditation will be costly and difficult to get
(updated equipment, full-time faculty, and changes in program and resource
allocation).
Recreation and Tourism
Strengths
1. Faculty with experience in the profession, who are student-centered and interested in
proactive program planning.
2. Experienced program director that has a good record of scholarship and service, good
record of obtaining grants, and is student centered.
3. Core curriculum that will most likely satisfy most NRPA accreditation standards for
curriculum.
4. Program electives that offer excellent opportunities for students.
5. Students with a sincere interest in their major and future profession.
6. Students are provided practical experiences in their field or related discipline through
practicum and internships with a diverse number of organizations.
7. Major club is being reestablished. Students also meet with the department chair weekly.
8. Survey of alumni indicated alumni were generally satisfied with their preparation.
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 5
Recommendations
1. Ensure teaching load of the program coordinator load is appropriate to meet the
accreditation/review.
2. Identify time for program planning and discussion of assessment outcomes.
3. Bring course requirements and syllabi up to the standard expected for the NRPA
accreditation.
4. Ensure catalog course descriptions match content listed in syllabi.
5. Develop a matrix of courses and NRPA standards to ensure course competencies meet
NRPA standards, regardless of specializations chosen.
6. Develop a stronger set of assessment outcome tasks to yield higher levels of qualitative or
quantitative data.
7. Develop an advising or scheduling matrix to assist students in planning their schedules.
8. Addition of a new faculty line to support the high number of majors.
Moving Forward.
The department of Family and Consumer Sciences is one of exemplary quality, strengths, and
promise. The faculty are committed to the students, their fields of expertise, and to the
university. The department has an excellent reputation both on campus and externally. The
challenges and recommendations are, therefore, to be used to enhance the department and guide
faculty in developing higher quality programs, scholarship, work-place environment, and
support.
I look forward to working and collaborating with faculty, staff, students, and department chair to
meet the challenges and to enhance an excellent department.
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 6