CONCLUSION

Introduction

The Evaluation Committee wishes to extend once again its sincere appreciation for the kindness and hospitality shown by the University community during the visit to the campus. It merits mentioning that the hospitality and assistance, particularly the technical support, made the visit a productive and memorable experience.

Commendations

COMMENDATION NUMBER 1: The Committee commends the faculty and staff for their commitment to meet the needs of students and their dedicated service to the University.

COMMENDATION NUMBER 2: The Committee commends the Physical Plant staff for success in maintaining the facilities and the campus landscape during a period of constrained resources.

COMMENDATION NUMBER 3: The Committee commends the administration and the University Library for the responsive efforts to assure that faculty and students, both on campus and at a distance, have access to needed information, whether in traditional or electronic formats.

COMMENDATION NUMBER 4: The Committee commends the SBOE and the University for progress in planning and implementing institutional collaboration rather than conflict and competition in the state.

COMMENDATION NUMBER 5: The Committee commends the Idaho State University students, the University, and the Division of Students Affairs for the development of acclaimed student activities programs combining recreation and education to assist students to develop healthy lifestyles and learn about risk management.

COMMENDATION NUMBER 6: The Committee commends the University for the extraordinary efforts to extend its resources to meet needs around the state.

COMMENDATION NUMBER 7: The Committee commends the University for the successful capital campaign that generated more than $150 million in support for University programs and facilities.

Recommendations

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 1: The Committee recommends that the University develop and promulgate a five-year enrollment and financial plan based on 1) the institutional strategic vision and plan; 2) analysis of state demography, student demand, and student cohort groups; and 3) projected state appropriations, matriculation and professional fee revenue, and other identified revenue sources, linked to the eight-year planning cycle mandated by the SBOE, to assure adequate support for program plans. (Standards 1.A.4, 1.B.2-.5, 2.E.1, 2.E.3, 4.A.4, 3.B.1, 7.A.2, and 7.B.5.)

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 2: The Committee recommends that the University take immediate steps to recruit a new Director of Institutional Research and assure an effective institutional research function for planning, outcomes assessment, institutional assessment, and program review purposes. (Standards 1.B.6-9, 2.B, 6.C.2, 6.C.7.)

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 3: The Committee recommends that the University reach agreement as quickly as possible on data element definitions and decide whether to 1) update the legacy data management system or 2) acquire an enterprise system with the requisite functionality for planning, analysis, outcomes assessment, and institutional and program evaluation. (Standards 1.B.1, 1.B.4, 1.B.6, 1.B.8, 6.C.7, and 7.A-C.)

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 4: The Committee recommends that the SBOE publicize its “workload enrollment adjustment formula” used to allocate the “lump sum” appropriation, identifying its component elements and indicating the time frame for periodic revision.  (Standard 6.A, 6.B.3, and 6.B.8.)

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 5: The Committee recommends that the University 1) develop and implement an institutional outcomes assessment plan and a program review schedule for all sectors; 2) identify and maintain effective support mechanisms in institutional research and financial accounting; and 3) review for revision, assuring appropriate linkages among them, the University’s planning, institutional assessment, outcomes assessment, program review, and budgeting processes, with explicit assignment of specific responsibility for accountability and oversight of these processes. (Standards 1.B, 2.B, 3.B.6, 6.C.7, 7.A-C, and Policy 2.2.)

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 6: The Committee recommends that the SBOE establish policies for the promulgation of its annual goals and for periodic evaluation of its performance. (Standard 6.B.6.)

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 7: The Committee recommends that the SBOE and the President review and clarify oversight responsibilities within the University’s decentralized management structure to assure effective functioning and accountability. (Standard 6.B.7, 6.C.2, 6.C.6, 6.D.)

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 8:  The Committee recommends that the University 1) review for revision and updating its faculty workload policies for all faculty appointment categories; and 2) review for clear articulation the qualifications and expectations of faculty appointed to the various ranks and within the various appointment categories at the University.

(Standard 4.A.3 and 4.A.5-6.)

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 9: The Committee recommends that the University 1) develop a clear definition of Continuing Education at Idaho State University ; 2) identify the various Continuing Education activities within the University; and 3) articulate the organizational and administrative relationships among those activities. (Standard 2.G.4)

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 10: The Committee recommends that the University develop a consistent and comprehensive record system for recording awards of Continuing Education Units – or other comparable measures – for participation in non-credit courses, programs, and experiences. (Standard 2.H.3 and Policy A-9.)