Comprehensive Standard 3.4.12
The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curriculum with its faculty.
The Constitution of the LSUA Faculty Council and Faculty Senate [1] 
states that “the Faculty Council shall determine the educational policy
of the university, including, but not limited to establishing
curricula, setting standards of instruction, determining requirements
for degrees, and determining general educational policy.” The Faculty
Council consists of all full-time members of the faculty with the
academic rank of Instructor or above and all administrators with
academic rank of Instructor or above. Faculty involvement is woven,
both formally and informally, throughout the processes of the
university. Initial discussions about policies, courses, and degree
programs begin at the departmental faculty level. Curriculum
development follows a particularly formal path from the department,
through the Courses & Curricula Committee, the Faculty Senate and
finally the administration (see Comprehensive Standard 3.4.1).
Much of the work of the university is accomplished through deliberative
committee activity. The Faculty Senate, representing the Faculty
Council, is the most significant committee, but many other Faculty
Senate Committees [2] and Administrative Committees [3] also play vital roles.
The institutional effectiveness process [4]
is important in establishing and maintaining the quality of the
educational programs, particularly as the process relates to degree
programs and general education. Specific learning outcomes are
identified for each course, degree and overall general education
program through faculty deliberation. Learning outcomes for each degree
program can be found in the LSUA Strategic Plan [5]
. Not only are the outcomes identified, but they are assessed on an
annual basis. Course outcomes are assessed by faculty and are generally
reflected in the student's grades in individual classes. Program
outcomes are assessed by the collective academic department offering
the major and/or degree. General education outcomes for all degrees are
assessed by the General Education Assessment Committee [6] . Assessment at each level (course, degree, and general education) is faculty-based and monitored.
Documentation
[1] The Constitution of the LSUA Faculty Council and Faculty Senate (48kb)
[2] LSUA Faculty Senate Committees 2005 - 2006 (142kb)
[3] LSUA Administrative Committees 2005 - 2006-Planning Council (63kb)
[4] PS 225 - Planning and Assessment (60kb)
[5] LSUA Strategic Plan 2004 - 2006 (152kb)
[6] LSUA Administrative Committees 2005 - 2006-Planning Council, p. 5 (63kb)
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