Processes (P)

6P2 Identifying the Administrative Support Service Needs of Faculty, Staff,
Administrators, and Other Stakeholders

Western identifies the critical administrative support service needs of faculty, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders through the following structures and processes.

• Organizational structure and shared governance. (O.4, O.5, 5C1, Figures 5.2, 5.3, 5P5).
• Strategic planning (Figures 8.3, 8.4). Departments and individuals have been integrally involved in the planning processes that have resulted in five-year plans for each unit that align with the institution’s Strategic Plan.
• Budget process. Once total revenue has been determined, consisting largely of state appropriations and of revenue from tuition and fees, expenditures can be budgeted, with input from faculty and staff.
• Human Resources. The human resource needs of employees are identified through institutional and unit goals and objectives and regulatory policies.
• Program review. Each academic department conducts a program review at least every five years that includes assessment of program outcomes, placement of graduates, use of resources, and recommendations for change (1P8).
• Accrediting bodies, national standards and best practices. Western uses recommendations from various accrediting bodies to review, revise, and support improvement processes. Western is currently supporting the Business Department’s application and admission into The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) accreditation.
• Community collaborations and partnerships. Western has created new programs or modified existing ones to respond to the needs of emerging fields and technologies, evidenced by its life sciences initiatives and its 2+2+2 in education with the Metropolitan Community College and the University of Missouri - Kansas City.
• Technology. Western actively plans for and supports the present and future technology needs of the campus. (Category Two).
• Key Stakeholders. Western relies on several stakeholder segments to provide input regarding community and regional needs, internships and service opportunities, and needs within the job market (Figure 3.5).