5. C. 3 The planning process encompasses the institution as a whole and considers the perspectives of internal and external constituent groups.
Internal and external constituencies meet to inform College governance and policy-making through Program Advisory Committees, which are made up of community members who work in relevant positions, Miller College faculty, alumni, and student representatives. These Program Advisory Committees, meeting twice a year, evaluate student performance data, advise program faculty and administration on local workforce and hiring trends that may impact programs of study, and provide input as to the relevance of proposed new majors or concentrations. The Academic Affairs Committee then reviews new programs for their match with the College mission and goals and objectives within the strategic plan. The Academic Affairs Committee also reviews and approves the academic content, course descriptions, texts, and syllabi. Proposals are then taken to the President’s council for consideration and from there to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
Evidence:
External and internal constituencies are also engaged in the budget planning process as well as in academic planning. Prior to the strategic planning and budget prioritization retreats described in 5.A.5, 5.B.2, and 5.C.2, members of the President’s Council solicit proposals for new or expanded budget items from both internal (i.e., faculty and staff) and external (i.e., Board of Trustees, Advisory Committees, partner organizations and institutions, alumni) constituencies. The Academic Affairs Committee meets monthly to consider internal affairs in the academic wing of the College and recommend proposals for new policies and budget items to the President’s Council. Faculty and Student Services representatives attend meetings of the Miller College Student Association to hear concerns arising from the student body and solicit student input on planning processes. Thus, stakeholders representing every level of College operations and influence have regular opportunities to participate in the budgetary and strategic planning processes, and inclusiveness and transparency in all planning processes is assured.
Evidence:
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