Assessment year: 2015

 

Department Name: School of Construction

 

VISION: ULM’s School of Construction Management seeks ever-increasing excellence in construction management education by offering a student-centered learning environment that produces high quality graduates.

MISSION: The mission of the School of Construction Management is to prepare students from North Louisiana and beyond for productive careers in the construction industry through specialized coursework and interaction with the construction industry.

Alignment with University Mission:

The School of Construction Management's mission aligns with the University's mission in its desire to prepare students to "compete, succeed, and contribute in an ever-changing" society.

 

 

 

Goal #1: Recruit, develop, and maintain quality faculty who can prepare students for productive careers.

 

Objective #1.1: Maintain adequate faculty levels.

 

Measure(s): Student Credit Hours per Full Time Faculty Equivalent

 

Target(s): Maintain at prior three year average +/- 15%

 

Timeframe for Evaluation: Annually in fall

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Target met - SCH per FFTE increased by 28% from prior three-year average to 2015-16.

 

Explanation of changes made based on these results: This increase is a bit higher than the target anticipated, but the number of total credits taught increased substantially while FFTE remained mostly stable. This difference should level out over the next few years as recruitment continues and faculty needs are addressed.

 

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

2.b. Academic Infrastructure: Design a supportive infrastructure for our faculty

Commitment: We commit to the success of our university and our students

 

 

Objective #1.2: Maintain faculty quality.

 

Measure(s): Faculty evaluations completed by program chair

 

Target(s): All faculty will be denoted as at least meeting expectations on all sections of the evaluation instrument

 

Timeframe for Evaluation: Annually in spring

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Target not met - 2 of 3 faculty members met or exceeded expectations on all sections of the faculty evaluation

 

Explanation of changes made based on these results: The faculty member not meeting expectations accepted an offer of employment elsewhere. The target moving forward will remain as is.

 

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

2.b. Academic Infrastructure: Design a supportive infrastructure for our faculty

Commitment: We commit to the success of our university and our students

 

 

 

Goal #2: Recruit, retain, and graduate students who are capable of productive careers.

 

 

Objective #2.1: Increase enrollment through effective recruitment methods.

 

Measure(s): Fall enrollment for incoming freshmen

 

Target(s): 5% or better Increase over prior three-year average

 

Timeframe for Evaluation: Annually in fall

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Target met - fall enrollment for incoming freshmen increased 52% from the prior three-year average to the 2016 fall cohort

 

Explanation of changes made based on these results: Incoming school administration's recruiting efforts seem to be effective and will continue as planned.

 

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

2.c. Targeted Student Population: Implement a marketing and recruitment plan to approach and maintain program capacity levels

 

 

Objective #2.2: Retain students.

 

Measure(s): 1st to 2nd fall and 1st to 3rd fall retention rates for majors in the program

 

Target(s): Maintain at prior three year average +/- 15%

 

Timeframe for Evaluation: Annually in fall

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Targets met - 1st to 2nd program retention increased 28% from prior three year average to fall 2015 cohort and 1st to 3rd program retention increased 22% from prior three year average to the fall 2014 cohort (these are the most recent years for which 1-2 and 1-3 retention data is available by fall 2016)

 

Explanation of changes made based on these results: Retention seems to be effected positively by the incoming administration's retention efforts, which will continue as planned.

 

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

3.a. Student/Academic Support Services: Improve advising, enrollment management processes, and student advocacy

 

 

Objective #2.3: Produce competent graduates.

 

Measure(s): Completers data for majors, Constructor Exam pass rate

 

Target(s): Maintain at prior three-year average +/- 15%, Pass rate will equal or better national average

 

Timeframe for Evaluation: Annually in fall

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Targets partially met - Completers increased 2% over prior three-year average, but the ULM AIC exam pass rates were lower in both fall 2015 and spring 2016 than the national average.

 

Explanation of changes made based on these results: Although the exam scores are not where they should be to this point, ULM's pass rate doubled from the fall exam session to the spring exam session. Because incoming administration is in the process of implementing substantial changes to courses and teaching, the expectation is that the scores will continue to improve as students complete more of the revised program offerings.

 

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

2.d. Pedagogical Strategies: Implement student-centered, hands-on and minds-on pedagogical strategies

3.b. Critical Skills Needed by Students: Identify skill sets for academic success and workforce success

 

 

Objective #2.4: Provide ample student placement opportunities.

 

Measure(s): ULM Career Connections Internship Report

 

Target(s): Maintain or increase # of internships over prior year

 

Timeframe for Evaluation: Annually in fall

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Target not met: internships decreased from last year by 9

 

Explanation of changes made based on these results: The number of upper-level students who were eligible for participating in internships was down from the previous year. Based on growing enrollment, the School anticipates returning to the 2014-15 levels within the next two years.

 

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

Commitment: We commit to the success of our university and our students

 

 

 

Goal #3: Deliver a high quality academic program that will prepare students for productive careers.

 

 

Objective #3.1: Maintain continuous improvement efforts through student learning outcomes assessment.

 

Measure(s): Learning outcomes assessment documentation

 

Target(s): Clear evidence of analysis and use of assessment results to make program improvements that show quantitative increases in learning over time

 

Timeframe for Evaluation: Annually in fall

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Learning assessment evidence did not show acceptable results for the 2015-16 year. Current learning assessments rely wholly on the American Institute of Constructors Associate Constructor Certification (Level 1) exam, which is aligned with the accreditation agency's required student learning outcomes. However, the accreditor piloted revisions to the outcomes and exam during 2015, so the program curriculum was not accurately aligned with the accreditor's new learning expectations. While this is certainly disappointing, the true intent of this objective is to ensure that the learning improvement process is genuine and active; the School has considered the information carefully and thoroughly and is responding appropriately.

Explanation of changes made based on these results: Incoming administration and 2 of the 4 faculty began in fall 2014 the process of redesigning the program curriculum to align with the accreditor’s proposed outcomes and exam revisions, which were finalized by the agency in spring 2015. Accordingly, the ULM University Curriculum Committee approved our updated program curriculum for implementation in fall 2015. So, as the revised, aligned curriculum is implemented, student scores on the exam portions are expected to improve. Additionally, direct, course-embedded assessment measures for each learning outcome will be implemented as part of the revised curriculum beginning with the 2016-17 academic year; this should give faculty a more thorough perspective on student learning. Overall, while student learning assessment data was not up to faculty expectations for the year, major improvements have been planned and are in the process of being implemented in order to address the issues and ensure that our students are well-prepared for successful careers in the field.

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

Accountability: We acknowledge and assume responsibility for our actions, decisions, and results

Achievement: We get positive results

 

 

Objective #3.2: Maintain assurance of program quality through continued ACCE accreditation.

 

Measure(s): Documentation from ACCE

 

Target(s): Maintain good standing

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Target met - ULM's most recent review by ACCE resulted in accreditation through 2021

 

Explanation of changes made based on these results: Continued compliance with ACCE standards, policies, and procedures.

 

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

Accountability: We acknowledge and assume responsibility for our actions, decisions, and results

Achievement: We get positive results

 

 

Goal #4: Increase resources to achieve the programs' goals and fulfill its mission.

 

 

Objective #4.1: Increase Industry Advisory Council Building Fund.

 

Measure(s): IAC annual report

 

Target(s): 50% increase over prior year for the next three years; target will be re-evaluated at that time

 

Timeframe for Evaluation: Annually

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Target met - The fund increased over 100% from 2014-15 to 2015-16.

 

Explanation of changes made based on these results: The school anticipates another substantial increase next year, but the increases should be more in line with the target for the year after that. At that point, the target will be re-evaluated.

 

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

3.c. Long-term Relationship: Improve university communication over the range from prospect to alumnus and improve alumni commitment to the university

Collaboration: We seek partnerships that benefit our university

 

 

Objective #4.2: Maintain current financial resources available through endowed professorships.

 

Measure(s): Program fiscal documentation

 

Target(s): Maintain or increase from prior year

 

Timeframe for Evaluation: Annually

 

Responsible Persons: Ed Brayton

 

Results and Analysis: Target met - all professorships were retained for the 2015-16 year.

 

Explanation of changes made based on these results: The School will continue to pursue opportunities for increasing the number of professorships for its faculty.

 

ULM Strategic Long-term Objective and/or Guiding Principle:

Efficiency: We pledge responsible stewardship of available resources

Collaboration: We seek partnerships that benefit our university