Academic Program Review 2006-2007 Executive Summary Department of Women Studies The Department of Women Studies was included in the fifth cycle of academic program review for the 2006-2007 school year. Based upon feedback from the previous cycles, the contents of the self-study were modified as were some of the implementation details. Included in the process was the composition of a self-study document based upon faculty’s analysis, a departmental retreat where the data were reviewed and the final two sections discussed. The visitation by an external reviewer, Dr. Barbara Scott Winkler, Director of Women’s Studies, Southern Oregon University, who read the self-study, interviewed faculty, staff, administration, and students, and submitted her analysis. The departmental self-study completed by the faculty and staff is the major document for this program review. This complex document reveals the strengths and challenges through the departmental perspective and reflects the commitment of the department for self-analysis, reflection, and evaluation. The institutional expectation is that the department and college administration will use the self-study document, the dean’s report, and the executive summary as guides to the faculty, staff, and administration for the next several academic years as the department addresses the recommendations and continues its record of excellence. Since this process requires an enormous amount of time and effort from all of the participants, it is necessary to ensure that the results are used to inform decisions and future course of actions. Therefore, the department faculty and college administration will be expected to provide a summary of activities undertaken during the 2007-2008 academic year as a consequence of the program review. This report will be due to the provost in October, 2008. It should be noted that Dr. Winkler’s analysis is very thorough and detailed and, along with the dean’s report, provide the depth and context for the faculty and administrators to move ahead in addressing the recommendations and celebrating the commendations. Commendations The self-study document as submitted by the Women’s Studies program was understandable and informative. It can be determined from reading the self-study report, the observations of the reviewer, and the summary comments of the previous program director and current college dean that the program has several strengths and challenges. It should also be concluded that the program is integral to the mission of the college and university and should be commended in the following areas: Faculty & Curriculum: It is clear from the self-study, external reviewer report, and previous program director and dean comments that program faculty are dedicated and committed to providing a rigorous interdisciplinary program. Program faculty are varied in rank and diverse in field specialization. They have been active in service and scholarship and in promoting the field of study to the CWU and local community through various outreach activities. The program and college should continue to make a concerted effort to retain the current faculty and recruit new faculty in the future that display such positive attributes. It is also clear that the program curriculum has significant breadth and coherence to develop student knowledge, skills and attitudes. Other than a suggestion to develop and deliver a course in lgbt or queer studies, the curriculum is well developed and spans the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences. Recommendations Although the program should be commended in numerous areas, there are also areas for continuous improvement. Following are areas that should be addressed to improve the functioning and quality of the program and its associated programs: Course Delivery and Staffing: The program offers a variety of courses. However, the availability of courses and scheduling consistency seem problematic. It will be extremely important for the current program director (with consultation and support from the various affected deans and chairs) develop a workable plan to encourage course delivery consistency for a few years. This will aid in the advising process for program participants and provide a more stable realm from which to work. Assessment: Although there are programmatic goals, no student learning measures or data was provided to demonstrate student goal attainment in this review. In fact, the review itself stated that “there is no formal assessment process.” A concerted effort must be made in the future to collect, analyze, and discuss assessment data. Results should be explicitly linked to programmatic and student learning outcomes and include interpretation. Data should also be compared to established standards of mastery and be disseminated and discussed with various stakeholders (students, faculty, administrators). Based on the new assessment planning and reporting expectations of the college and university, it is expected that assessment will play a more prominent role in programmatic decision-making and continuous improvement efforts. Student Recruitment: Although student interest seems to be slowly increasing, a greater emphasis should be made in recruiting new minors to encourage program viability. The reviewer provided several practical suggestions for increased enrollment recruitment that should be seriously considered. In addition, contact should be made with the new Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management (Dr. John Swiney) to determine other strategies for recruitment as well as support mechanisms (e.g., marketing ideas) that may encourage potential and current CWU students to consider program involvement. Summary Overall, the program of Women’s Studies is an important part of Central Washington University. Faculty are energetic and productive in terms of teaching, service, and scholarship. The program director and affiliated faculty should strive to improve in terms of assessing programs and in analyzing current curriculum and staffing configurations to improve course scheduling and consistency. In addition, a more concerted effort should be made to recruit and retain students to ensure program viability. By examining its course scheduling and staffing, improving its assessment processes, and continuing to recruit new students to the minor, the program will certainly achieve its goals and those of the college, and university.