The PAR methodology is continually monitored and refined to ensure useful outcomes based on what is learned. Standard materials have been developed to guide each unit’s self-study and the subsequent external review by faculty experts. Each review results in an Action Plan that charts the steps, timeline, and needed resources to address the issues noted in the review. The Action Plan also includes prioritized recommendations, with accompanying milestones. As part of enhancing academic quality, a robust, ongoing, and evidence-driven PAR process assures that appropriate consolidation, rationalization, and synergies are enacted.

We recently asked programs that had undergone PAR in its first four years to summarize their accomplishments resulting from the process, which we complemented with our own review. Below is a summary of the findings and some illustrative examples of specific program initiatives within the categories of curricular change, alignment, staff/workload, and economies and efficiencies. It is impressive to witness how eagerly and aggressively so many programs have embraced the recommendations of the PAR reports.

PAR Program Alignment and Review Report [PDf]