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Faculty Guidelines

Purpose & Charge

The Planning Council is an integral part of the Institutional Effectiveness process at Daytona State College. It provides oversight, guidance and resources for planning, assessment and evaluation activities for both academic and non‐academic programs. The Planning Council supports the College’s commitment to establish institutional effectiveness as ongoing and integrated, it reinforces the College’s emphasis on quality programs and services, and it builds a culture of continuous improvement and informed decision‐making. It serves as the point of consensus in a participatory process that identifies and analyzes issues of significance to the college community and develops recommended solutions or actions.

Membership

Planning Council members are appointed by the President to serve a two‐year term. Faculty members comprise at least half of the Council and provide a diverse representation of schools and campuses. The head of each employee constituent group serves on the Council and the president of the Student Government Association participates as the student representative. Administrators, professional and career employees each have representatives in addition to their constituent heads. Members may self-nominate or be recommended by the Faculty Senate, another employee constituent group, or the Senior Executive Staff. Members may be re‐appointed, but it is expected that there will be opportunities for new appointees each year.

Sub-Committees

The Planning Council is supported by the work of six standing sub-committees. Standing sub-committees provide proposals for new initiatives, recommendations for outcomes and strategies which improve student success, embrace excellence and diversity, foster innovation, and enhance teaching and learning and other information that might be useful to the Planning Council for informed decision‐making. At least two co-chairs are appointed annually by the President to lead each sub-committee. Sub-committee members are recommended by the Planning Council or Sub-committees co-chairs and confirmed and appointed by the President. Co-chairs and sub-committee members may be re-appointed, but it is expected that there will be opportunities for new appointees each year. Co-chairs and sub-committee members are not members of the Planning Council itself. Ad hoc committees may be convened to accomplish a specific task or study a specific issue to see what opportunities the College may have to enhance student learning or improve operational effectiveness.

Planning Council Committees: Purpose and Description

Academic Success The Academic Success Committee evaluates strengths and challenges, identifies opportunities, and provides recommendations for improving learning outcomes assessment at the course, program and institutional levels. Analysis is based on outcomes data and information provided through the academic assessment process.
Administrative Unit Review The Administrative Unit Review Committee conducts a three-year summative evaluation for each administrative, educational support, student services and community/public service unit. Evaluates strengths and challenges, identifies opportunities, and provides recommendations for improving results and use of results. Analysis is based on outcomes data and information over a three-year period.
Falcon Ideas Provides proactive support and recognition for the development of innovative ideas from the college community that further the mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of the college.
Institutional Success

Evaluates strengths and challenges, identifies opportunities, and provides recommendations to enhance planning and assessment for college operations. Analysis is based on outcomes data provided by non-academic planning units through the unit planning process.

NOTE: This committee replaces the Operational Effectiveness and Student Success committees

Instructional Program Review The Instructional Program Review Committee conducts a three-year summative evaluation for each academic program. Evaluates strengths and challenges, identifies opportunities and provides recommendations for improvements. Analysis is based on outcomes data and information spanning a three‐year period.
Teaching and Learning The Teaching and Learning Committee reviews and approves changes to existing program offerings including new programs. Evaluates policies and procedures related to student learning and academic programs, identifies best practices and innovations to enhance the teaching and learning process, and makes recommendations.

Outcomes

The Planning Council sub-committees provide a framework of accountability for the College’s planning, assessment and evaluation processes.

  • Provide support and guidance for developing and implementing a strategic plan.
  • Ensure that program and unit activities link to the college mission and strategic plan.
  • Provide a forum for institution-wide discussion regarding college issues.
  • Make recommendations for resource allocations to support improvement initiatives.
  • Provide assessment and evaluation reports to the Planning Council and Senior Executive Staff.
  • Ensure that achievements, results and use of results are documented and communicated.
  • Provide a mechanism for disseminating important information, generating input, and promoting more open communication leading to understanding and consensus.
  • Serve as an opportunity for employee leadership, participation and involvement.

Procedure

The Planning Council will prioritize sub-committee recommendations and prepare a master list of ranked priorities with estimated budget impact. The rankings will be forwarded to the Senior Executive Staff for approval. Once funding levels are known from the state and enrollment projections are developed, typically in June, the available resources will be applied to the priorities recommended by the Council and approved by the Senior Executive Staff as far down the list as the dollars will stretch. Priorities that were ranked but not funded will continue to be considered as the college seeks grants, contracts, and private funding. If funding is not located for these priorities, the priorities can be brought forward the next year for consideration.

At the conclusion of each year, the Council will evaluate the planning process. Any suggestions for improvements or modifications to the structure or the process will be reviewed for implementation in the coming year. The Institutional Effectiveness Department will compile a report that includes outcomes, levels of achievement and use of results for each planning unit.