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.