Computer Science Department
Strategic Plan
2012/2013
Outcome Assessment Report
November 1, 2013
Page 1
Introduction
The document that follows describes the assessment data for the strategic plans for the Computer Science Department. They have been divided
into sections as several of the plans tie into multiple Core University Themes. The sections of this document are organized as follows:
Computational Science Master’s Program .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Computer Science Undergraduate Program and Undergraduate Research ................................................................................................................. 6
Faculty Scholarship ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Computer Science Department Resources .................................................................................................................................................................. 10
November 1, 2013
Page 2
Computational Science Master’s Program
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/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource
Outcome
Outcomes
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Assessment
Level
(Criterion)
Build an
interdisciplinary
Master’s
Degree
program.
At steady
state, a
program with
full enrollment
cohorts and
corresponding
groups of
graduates
annually.
November 1, 2013
Expectations
listed in
Appendix A:
Administration
of the
Computational
Science
Master’s
Program white
paper.
Registrar’s Office and
the Office of Graduate
Studies.
Enrollment
Yr 2: 20
Yr 3: 25
Yr 4: 30
Yr 5: 30
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual activity
reports.
Program is currently
established through
Continuing
Education and in its
first full year of
instruction with
seven students.
Move the program
to the supervision of
College of the
Sciences and the
Office of Graduate
Programs
Among many
other things, it is
difficult to attract
students to the
Ellensburg
campus when no
assistantships can
be offered – which
follows since the
program is
currently housed
in Continuing
Education. We
believe that the
new tuition dollars
generated by the
program would
more than cover
key strategy
costs. A more
detailed analysis
can be found in
Appendix A. Also
Appendix B
contains the
original MS
program proposal.
These plans have
been encouraged
August 2013
Completed move to
house the program
with the College of
Sciences and the
Office of Graduate
Studies
Spent $5,000 (grant
from Provost) on
advertising – used the
resources of the Office
of Public Affairs for
targeted newspaper
and on-line advertising.
Unfortunately no
positive results.
Enrollment
Year 2: 10
Page 3
Graduates
Yr 2: 10
Yr 3: 10
Yr 4: 15
Yr 5: 15
Graduate
assistantships
compatible
with other
graduate
programs
75% of
students with
assistantships
Release time
for the
program
director and
graduate
student
supervision.
12 WLU
release for
program
director and
release for
student
supervision
November 1, 2013
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual activity
reports.
Establish graduate
assistantships
compatible with
other graduate
programs and
helping attract
quality students to
the program
Provide appropriate
release time for the
program director
and graduate
student supervision.
by the President,
Provost and both
Deans (COTS and
Grad Studies).
Graduates
Year 1: 1
Currently the
department has one
GA.
AY 13-14
provided 8 WLU
release for the GPD
and workload WLU for
faculty research and
thesis supervision as
required.
Page 4
UNIVERSITY CORE THEME: 2. INCLUSIVENESS AND DIVERSITY
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)
Promote
participation
by
underreprese
nted groups
among
students.
Successful
inclusion of
students from
underrepresen
ted groups in
the Master’s
program
cohorts.
20% of the
Master’s
program
students from
underrepresen
ted groups
Registrar’s Office and
the Office of Graduate
Studies.
Actively recruit
students from
regional
universities with
diverse
undergraduate
populations.
Funds to create
proportional
materials, buy ads
and to improve
search results,
and finally to travel
to recruiting fairs.
Actively recruit
international
students.
Also use Cport to
facilitate recruiting
of targeted CWU
graduates.
Work with the
Office of Public
Affairs and the
Admissions Office
to help design
these recruiting
strategies.
November 1, 2013
As noted above –
Spent $5,000 (grant
from Provost) on
advertising – used the
resources of the Office
of Public Affairs for
targeted newspaper and
on-line advertising.
Unfortunately no
positive results.
Also used Cport to
target CWU
undergraduate students.
Positive results here:
10 students
2 women (20%)
4 minorities (40%)
Page 5
UNIVERSITY CORE THEME: 4. PUBLIC SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
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)
Provide life-long
learning
opportunities at
the Master’s
level.
November 1, 2013
Develop a
plan for
enrolling
cohorts for
the
Computatio
nal
Sciences
master’s
program on
the westside.
Plan to include
site location,
potential
enrollment
and
graduation
targets,
income and
costs by Fall
2013
presented to
the COTS and
Grad Studies
Deans.
Computer Science
faculty
Move the program
to one of the westside campuses.
Initial research
demonstrates that
there is a natural
audience there
seeking new
opportunities in
technical
education.
We are currently
targeting this for
Fall 2014.
Based on a
simplistic
preliminary
analysis. We
believe that this
would take the
commitment of two
full-time faculty
along with the
development of
appropriate
infrastructure for
computational
science classes.
We believe that an
increased tuition
could be charged
for this program –
e.g. consider the
new Northeastern
west-side
programs.
We believe that
tuition from 30 new
students would pay
for these resources
though further
analysis is clearly
necessary.
Outcome Assessment
The Department’s
Graduate Program
Director is working with
the Dean of Graduate
Studies to develop
strategies for delivery of a
program on the Westside.
Page 6
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)
Help meet the
technological
education needs
of the state.
November 1, 2013
At steady
state, a
program
with full
enrollment
cohorts and
correspondi
ng groups
of
graduates
annually.
Many state
documents
describe
the need
for
graduates
with this
type of
knowledge.
These are
detailed in
Appendices
A & B.
As in 1.1
above:
from the
Ellensburg
Campus
Enrollment
Yr 2: 20
Yr 3: 25
Yr 4: 30
Yr 5: 30
Graduates
Yr 2: 10
Yr 3: 10
Yr 4: 15
Yr 5: 15
Registrar’s Office and
the Office of Graduate
Studies.
Move administration
of the Ellensburg
Campus program to
COTS and the
Office of Graduate
Studies.
For Ellensburg
campus a more
detailed analysis is
provided in
Appendix A that
argues tuition
income should
cover all costs.
We believe a
similar analysis
would apply to a
west-side program,
particularly if a
higher tuition is
charged, However,
this analysis has
not yet been done.
Data currently
insufficient.
Enrollment
Year 2: 10
Graduates
Year 1: 1
We would
expect similar
numbers from
a west-side
program as
well.
Page 7
Computer Science Undergraduate Program and Undergraduate Research
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/Performance
Key Strategies/
Budget/Resource Outcome Assessment
Outcomes
Performance
Level Reported By
Initiatives
Analysis
Level
(Criterion)
Offer
undergraduate
programs that
train students
as computer
specialists
with a
fundamental
understanding
of technology.
Decrease the
class size in
core classes
in the major.
Split major
core classes
with
enrollment
> 30.
Safari and IR reports
Increasing
opportunities
for students to
graduate with
more diverse
focus areas.
Comment –
budget
cutbacks
have
devastated
the
opportunities
students once
had to pick
their CS focus
areas.
Offer double
the number of
upper-level
electives to
students
(currently six
at two per
term to 12 at
four per term).
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual activity
reports.
Reduce the
number of
complaints
received about
the number of
electives
offered during
exit interviews
conducted
with
graduating
seniors.
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual assessment
report.
November 1, 2013
Improve the ability
for the Computer
Science department
to hire adjuncts. In
AY08-09, 24
courses sections
were taught by
adjuncts. In AY1213, we expect only 4
unreimbursed
course sections will
be taught by
adjuncts. To make
up the difference we
have had to reduce
the number of class
sections taught and
push regular faculty
into entry level
courses – leaving a
paucity of upperlevel electives from
which students can
choose.
Based on the last
two years
enrollment we
would need to split
three classes
annually –
estimate about
$10,500.
This would require
the ability to hire
adjuncts for six
more courses –
estimate about
$20,000.
This is tied to the
previous cost.
Split classes Fall
2013:
CS 110
CS 301
CS 427
CS 480
CS 481
Added Classes AY
13-14:
Math 565
Math 567
no Math instructor
available
Elective increase:
AY 12-13: 6 total
AY 13-14: 8 total
Ability to split classes
and offer new classes
and more electives not
due to new adjuncts
but rather an additional
F/T faculty member.
No exit interviews
conducted since
courses have been
added.
Page 8
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)
Play a
leadership
role in
scholarship
by making
basic and
relevant
scientific
contributions
to our
respective
subdisciplines
and involve
students in
our
scholarship.
Similar to 1.1
in this section.
Increasing
opportunities
for students to
participate in
undergraduate
research.
Comment –
budget
cutbacks have
devastated the
opportunities
students once
had to do
preliminary
work for
participating in
undergraduate
research.
Elective vital
to these
programs are
offered every
other year at
best.
November 1, 2013
Offer double
the number of
upper-level
electives to
students
(currently six
at two per
term to 12 at
four per term).
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual activity
reports.
Double the
number of
students
participating in
SOURCE and
independent
study
research.
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual assessment
report.
Same as 1.1 in this
section.
Same as 1.1 in
this section.
As noted above –
Elective increase:
AY 12-13: 6 total
AY 13-14: 8 total
SOURCE will not be
held until Spring 2014.
We note there has
been an increase in
student participation in
regional and national
conferences.
Page 9
Faculty Scholarship
UNIVERSITY CORE THEME: 3. SCHOLARSHIP AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION
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)
Play a
leadership
role in
scholarship
by making
basic and
relevant
scientific
contributions
to our
respective
subdisciplines
and involve
students in
our
scholarship.
Increase grant
applications
form the
faculty.
Have faculty
submit two
more grant
proposals
annually
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual assessment
report.
Also as in 3.1
in the
Undergraduat
e research
section above,
increase
opportunities
for students to
participate in
undergraduate
research.
Double the
number of
students
participating in
SOURCE and
independent
study
research.
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual assessment
report.
November 1, 2013
Improve the ability
for the Computer
Science
department to hire
adjuncts.
This would require
the ability to hire
adjuncts for two
more courses –
estimate about
$7,000.
Please find
attached a copy of
the requirements
for graduate
students
participating in the
thesis option to
produce a
publishable
document, see
Appendix C.
The additional teaching
resources provided by
a new faculty member
have already been
absorbed in the new
splits sections, new
masters courses (Math)
and new electives
being offered. There
are no new resources
to address this request.
Page 10
Publish with
students in the
Master’s
program.
Comment –
budget
cutbacks have
devastated the
eliminated any
scheduling
flexibility a
small
department
like CS had to
offer one or
two course
release for
grant
preparation.
November 1, 2013
Have the
ability to offer
up to two
courses of
release time to
faculty
preparing a
grant
application.
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual activity
reports.
At steady
state of the
program, at
least three
Master’s
students
publish with
their faculty
mentor.
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual activity
reports.
Over the last year,
faculty have had joint
work presented with
two of our students.
Page 11
Computer Science Department Resources
CORE THEME: 5. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & STEWARDSHIP
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)
Sustain a
productive team
of faculty,
students and
staff.
Age and
performance
of faculty,
staff, and
instructional
lab
computer
equipment.
All
department
lab
computers
are replaced
over a
rotating 4
year span.
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual assessment
report.
Continue to work
with CTS with
respect to
equipment in our
open labs and as
part of this
equipment is
purchased through
our lab fee, keep an
active analysis of
the departmental
lab fee.
No new costs
except perhaps
increased lab fees.
Replaced Computers in
lab HB 218 with funds
from our lab fee.
Specialpurpose
research
labs contain
state-of-theart
equipment
All specialpurpose lab
computers
are replaced
over a
rotating 4
year span.
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual assessment
report.
As this equipment
is partially
purchased through
our lab fee, keep an
active analysis of
the departmental
lab fee.
No new costs
except perhaps
increased lab fees.
Upgraded Computers and
lab workstations in HB
207. Upgraded server
storage equipment.
November 1, 2013
Page 12
The Goods
and
Services
budget is
sufficient to
keep faculty,
graduate
student and
staff office
computers
up to date.
November 1, 2013
All office
computers
are replaced
over a
rotating 4
year span.
Computer Science
department as part of
our annual assessment
report.
Have the University
continue the WinWin program. Also
as this is totally
supported by G&S
and we have a
growing number of
grad students, an
increase purchase
of computers will
occur.
As we will now (at
steady state of the
MS program) need
to purchase 10
new computers
annually in a
rotating 4 yr. cycle
(8 beyond our
current needs), we
estimate $4,000 if
the Win-Win
program
continues.
With a smaller than
expected graduate class
we only needed to
purchase 4 new
workstations through the
WIN-WIN program.
We have concern that the
WIN-WIN program is
apparently ending.
Page 13