PRECIS
Program Performance Review
Radio-TV-Film, BA
College of Communications
Dr. Edward Fink, Chair
September 18, 2009
Background
The Department of Radio-TV-Film (RTVF) conducted a program performance review
during 2008-09. The review included a self-study. In addition, an external review team
made an on site visit and conducted interviews which included the Dean of the College,
associate and assistant deans, staff and students. The team also reviewed the self-study
interviewed the department chair and toured facilities. The members of the external
review team included: Mary C. Shaffer, Department of Cinema and Television Arts,
CSU-Northridge, John Short, Department of Theatre and Dance, CSU-Fullerton, and
Michael Steiner, Department of American Studies, CSU-Fullerton. At the conclusion of
the visit the external review team submitted a report of its findings. Also, the Dean
provided a summary and recommendations and the Chair of the department responded to
the report of the external review team.
Key Data
The Department of Radio-TV-Film is a relatively new entity it was originally a part of
the Department of Communications. In 2001 it was established as a free standing
department in the College of Communications. The department has experienced growth
in FTES. In 2003-04 the FTES was 265 by 2007-08 FTES was 405. During that same
period the headcount increased from 529 to 670. Such enrollment numbers indicate that
there is a demand/interest at the University for this major. Students in RTVF tend to
graduate at higher rates than university-wide rate. The percentage of first-time RTVF
majors who graduate in six years or fewer varies from 47.2% (Fall 2000 cohort) to 66.7%
(Fall 2001 cohort). The University-wide six year graduation rate for first-time freshmen
is 49.9% for the 2001 cohort. Likewise, the number of degrees awarded has steadily
increased over the last five years from 105 in 2002-03 to 168 in 2006-07. There are four
tenured faculty in the department and seven tenure-track. The full-time equivalent faculty
(FTEF) allocation has increased from 10.0 to 17.7. The student faculty ratio has held
constant at 22.9.
Key Issues
One key concern for the department is to review the present curriculum, structure of the
major and the continuing relationship with the two other departments in the college.
Review the curriculum in light of present “cluster” plan as opposed to “roadmaps” or
“tracks”. The department has proposed the addition of a MFA degree in Screenwriting,
this proposal was also endorsed by the external review team. What would be the impact
of implementation on the department and the University?
Another key area identified by the department is space and equipment. Assess present
equipment and needs with an emphasis on field equipment rather than studio. Make
present space more attractive and look for larger space given the fact that building new
space is not likely given the economic downturn in the state and nation. Should radio be
dropped from the program? Should the name of the department be changed to better
reflect the curriculum and focus of the program? Better publicity and promotion of the
program has been encouraged. How should this be accomplished?
Outcomes Assessment
RTVF is making strides in developing a comprehensive plan for assessment of student
learning outcomes. The department has appointed an assessment committee and learning
outcomes have been developed and there is some alignment of learning outcomes to
curriculum. The department should develop broad learning goals from which the stated
outcomes emanate. (See examples attached). In addition, the assessment matrix should
reflect which assessment measure/strategy is used to assess each learning outcome. The
department will use an array of both direct and indirect measures to assess student
learning and departmental effectiveness. Departmental effectiveness might include such
quality indicators as graduation rates, job placement rates, internships, faculty-student
collaboration and the like. Data collected will assist the department in efforts to improve
on an on-going basis teaching and learning, curriculum and overall effectiveness. And
such data will inform departmental planning.
Outlook
The Dean in his written comments posed the question “what will the department be when
it grows up”? And answered by saying in seven years the department under strong
leadership has developed into a very strong department. The curriculum has moved
increasingly toward an emphasis on film as opposed to television and radio. And all
agree that the proposed MFA in screenwriting will compliment the film emphasis. The
popularity of the program is documented in student enrollment and graduation rates. The
external review team notes that the department does not promote and publicize enough its
accomplishments in student placement, faculty accomplishments, and contacts to the
media industry. The external review team also asserts that the department provides an
“effective and inexpensive” education to students seeking media production careers in a
region whose economy is heavily based on media. Challenges for the department include
maintaining a quality program in times of dwindling and curtailed resources. For a
program that relies greatly on state-of-art facilities and cutting edge technology as quality
indicators this is a particular challenge. To its credit the department through its on-going
planning and conversations with the Dean is addressing these and other concerns.
Likewise, the department is re-visiting its curriculum to make sure it is relevant and
reflects the interests of faculty and the marketplace. The outlook for RTVF appears
strong and the department has used the program performance review process as a means
to identify its challenges as it plans for the future.