Abstract
This article describes the development of systematic review and planning processes at the University of Alabama in the early 1980s under President Joab Thomas. In response to calls for accountability and clearer institutional priorities, the university implemented three interrelated mechanisms: a five year cycle of divisional and departmental program and leadership reviews, an academic program review aligned with state level criteria for quality, utility, and efficiency, and an institution wide five year planning process. The program and leadership reviews combine faculty driven evaluation of curricula, scholarship, student quality, resources, and internal management with confidential recommendations on leadership continuation. The academic program reviews use external committees, standardized questionnaires, and iterative feedback with departments to produce reports for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. The planning process links departmental missions and objectives to budget requests and annual reporting. Observing the Speech Communication department’s back to back reviews in 1984 to 1985, the article notes the significant time costs and duplication across processes while affirming the importance of coherent, non redundant evaluation systems that support teaching and research.
Recommended Citation
Hagood, Annabel Dunham
(1986)
"Program Evaluation in a Major University,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 56, Article 3.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol56/iss1/3
