"This was our first experience with the CUR site visit consultant program. We were able to choose from among a list of site visitors from institutions similar to our own. Our two visitors had done their homework. They were well-acquainted with our self-study report and came prepared to ask appropriate questions. Their comments and suggestions were specific and relevant, enabling us to complete a successful program review that will have a positive impact on our department."
Kurt Fletcher, Professor and Chair of Physics and Astronomy, SUNY Geneseo |
Program Review Services
The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Program Review Committee offers review services to academic departments, divisions, and schools or colleges. We provide these services by calling upon academic
professionals who share our vision and goals, and who have thought deeply
about undergraduate education. Our faculty and administrative reviewers are experienced in
visiting academic institutions where they listen to you and provide the
help you need.
Our reviewers have a wide range of expertise.
They can assist you in:
- evaluating your
curriculum, program, department, or division,
- assessing or
evaluating your undergraduate research program on various types of campuses,
- preparing for an accreditation visit,
and
- transforming or
rejuvenating a department.
Benefits of external program reviews include:
- impartial
third party credibility,
- a
review process that is cost effective,
- sensitivity
to issues relevant to predominantly undergraduate institutions,
- experienced
reviewers whom you select to meet the needs of your institution and
program,
- availability of
interdisciplinary, multi-departmental reviews,
- a review of your research compliance programs, and
- a review of the activities of your sponsored program and/or foundation offices.
"The CUR team did a tremendous job in helping us not only document
the many ways in which our faculty already encourage and implement
undergraduate student research activity, but also in highlighting
the opportunities for future development and growth. Their efforts
have helped us launch several new initiatives related to
undergraduate research and faculty development, as well as expand
several ongoing programs. What a great resource!"
Robert
K. Bitting, Associate Vice President, Academic Research, Planning
and Administration, Alfred University |
Reviews
Reviewers can come to your campus to perform a traditional
departmental or divisional review and provide a report for your department
or administration. Reviewers can also arrange a review of a particular program
or provide you with expertise in any of the areas listed above.
"The CUR team conducted a comprehensive and instructive review of
our entire science division at Moravian College. Their assessment
and recommendations were clear, informed, and most productive. Our
CUR reviewers suggested a number of important measures for
improvement, but perhaps more significantly, they provided a
framework for ongoing development of our own plans and actions to
strengthen the natural sciences. Their guidance has been timely and
central to our implementation of an institutional strategic
initiative to further develop science programs, faculty, and
facilities at Moravian."
Ervin
J. Rokke, President, Moravian College |
The Process: We work with you.
Because the types of reviews can vary tremendously, those interested in having an external review should contact the CUR Program Review Committee via the link below. The Program Review Committee will work with you to
develop a work plan. The Committee will ask you
for background information on your campus and what you expect to gain from
the review. This allows the Committee to identify the best people to meet your
needs. The Program Review Committee, composed of
representatives of all CUR disciplinary divisions, will propose the names of several
reviewers. The Program Review Committee will then
monitor the process as you and the reviewers set up a schedule and
proceed with the visit.
"The consultants from CUR were insightful and thorough. They not
only helped us strengthen our interaction with students in the
classroom and research settings but also demonstrated new ways the
faculty could connect together as well. It was a most rewarding
experience."
Sam
Lofland, Associate Professor of Physics, Director, Materials
Research Group, Rowan University |
Fee Structure
Below is the recommended fee structure for reviews. Modifications can be negotiated depending upon local
circumstances.
- $400
per consultant per day on site
- $300
report writing fee
- $500 CUR
Charge (No Charge for CUR Institutional Members)
Using the above figures the
cost of a two day visit with two reviewers, including report, is $1,900
for CUR member institutions and $2,400 for non-institutional members.
Additionally, the institution is responsible for all travel and related
costs (housing and meals) for the reviewers associated with the site
visit.
A typical review of an academic department may include one to three
reviewers for 1 ½ to 2 days' work on campus. For information on costs
associated with larger reviews (i.e., entire divisions or institutions),
On-campus institutes, or speakers, please contact Nancy Hensel directly at
nancy@cur.org.
Timing
Institutions wanting to set up a review should
contact the Program Review Committee four to six months prior to the expected date of the visit as scheduling reviewers oftern requires lead time.
Oral feedback is provided by the reviewers at the conclusion of the
visit, with a written report following within three to four weeks. The review represents the opinions of the reviewers and not necessarily of CUR and the review is not an endorsement of a program by CUR.
"Our Mathematical Sciences Department is diverse, comprising
mathematicians, computer scientists, and statisticians. Faced with
impending retirements of nearly half the faculty, the Department
thought it would benefit from an external review, and we turned to
CUR’s [review] program for assistance. A team of three reviewers
did an outstanding job of providing helpful advice for all areas of
our program--offering astute guidance on how to structure future
hires to meet the needs of the Department and College, on how to
promote conversations among the mathematical scientists and other
disciplines, and on how to ensure excellent education for majors and
non-majors while sustaining an active research environment. We are
delighted with the outcome of the process and the quality of the CUR
Consultants, and as a result the Department feels well prepared to
meet the challenges that face it.”
Gary Reiness, Dean, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Lewis and
Clark College |
To begin the process complete and
submit the web form found below.
You may also contact the CUR National Office by telephone or email
at:
Telephone: (202) 783 4810
E-Mail: cur@cur.org
Program Review Web Application
|
General
information
Purpose, structure, size and
composition, preparation. |
Procedures
for arranging a review
"Usual" sequence of
events for a review. |
Program Review Application Checklist
Information checklist that will
be provided to the consultants prior to their arrival on your
campus. |
For
more information or to begin the program review process click on
this link and complete the form.
You will be contacted by a
Program Review Committee Representative. |
Program Review Survey
To be completed by contact person
at institution who requested a review upon completion of the
review. |
| |
| FOR
CUR ADMINISTRATIVE USE ONLY |
Program Review Report Summary
To be completed by the lead
consulting upon completion of a review. |
Program Review Timetable
Password protected |
|
