How many external reviewers will be selected to review our program and how are they selected?

The Vice Provost-APF or Associate Vice Provost - APF puts the committee together with input from the department/school, the cognizant dean, and PROC. The number of extramural reviewers is roughly 10% of the ladder faculty, with a three-person minimum. More reviewers may be added depending on the range and number of subfields in the program.

May the department/school see the charge letter to the External Review Committee?

Yes, with the understanding that questions in the letter are posed to the ERC to elicit thoughtful, outside perspectives based on their professional experience and best practices at their home institution. Posing the questions should, in no way, be construed to mean that PROC or the dean disapproves of the unit’s current practices.

What expenses are incurred by the unit under review?

The unit is responsible for the cost of printing and binding the self-studies, lunch on the full-day visit of the external review committee, and significant cost overruns for the dinner on that day (the VP-APF pays for 5 faculty, plus chair from unit to attend the dinner; if more faculty attend or if the cost per person exceeds university guidelines by a significant amount, the unit pays).

How many copies of the self-study are we required to provide?

We require 31, 32, or 33 bound copies depending on the number of extramural reviewers (3, 4 or 5). The bound copies should be double-sided and the coversheet should be colored (surprise us with something other than blue!), 65-pound card stock.  In addition, we ask for one unbound copy and one copy transmitted electronically.

I’m not sure which peers to select?

OPA can do some preliminary analysis with a variety of internal peers to help narrow the selection if necessary and there is time for deliberation before writing of the data summary begins. Once the peers have been finalized, however, it can be difficult to back track so careful selection at the outset is important.

Close communication between the Chair and OPA throughout the writing of the data summary process is welcomed and encouraged. OPA works diligently to appropriately contextualize all data provided and to reflect each programs unique components and history as accurately as possible.

I have questions about the data provided or feel that there need to be factual corrections made to the summary, what do I do?

There is time for Chairs to edit the OPA summary once it is received and OPA works diligently to accommodate any factual corrections needed. It is best, however, to determine needed edits within 2-3 weeks of receipt of the report, however, since it will still need to be printed and distributed to relevant review participants in a fairly tight time frame.

How long does it take to produce a report?

Depending on the number of departments under review, it generally takes four to six weeks for OPA to complete the summary of central data once it begins. Reports for Schools can sometimes take longer.

Who receives the OPA report?

The completed summary of central data is provided to Department Chairs and other personnel selected by the Department Chair and the Vice Provost for Academic Planning and Facilities (VP-APF) and her immediate office. The VP-APF will provide copies to members of the campus Program Review Oversight Committee and to external reviewers who receive the OPA summary along with the unit’s self study.