MSCHE/ACOE Self Study

In addition to ongoing assessment of institutional outcomes, the IRPC undertakes focused studies on issues of particular relevance to College operations. For example, a comprehensive workforce analysis of optometrists and ophthalmologists in the state of New York that will serve to inform future College enrollment trends is nearing completion. The College has a variety of other vehicles for collecting and disseminating data relevant to its goals and objectives. These include the College’s Annual Report, fundraising reports issued by the Office of Institutional Advancement, the Association of College and Research Libraries Report, the Integrated Postsecondary Data System (IPEDs) report, and Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry surveys. 1.4 The program publishes current and reliable information on its performance, including student achievement, as defined by the program. The College’s Web site (www.sunyopt.edu) publishes information on the curriculum, student organizations, faculty credentials and ongoing research projects. Student demographics and performance data on the standardized licensing examinations administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) can be found, respectively, at http://www.sunyopt.edu/admissions/od_demographics.shtml and http://www.sunyopt.edu/admissions/NBEOPassRates.shtml. The Annual Report (http://www.sunyopt.edu/news/pdf/SunyOpt_State_College_09.pdf) summarizes information on NBEO performance, student admissions, patient encounters in the University Eye Center and research funding. There are also a number of community meeting opportunities where information is readily shared. These include the monthly President’s Roundtable meeting, the Annual Faculty Retreat, Faculty Meetings and open College-wide meetings. At the fall College-wide meeting each year, the president provides a formal “State of the College” report to the community. The College also publishes a monthly electronic newsletter, FY EYE , with an online circulation of approximately 1200. Those receiving the newsletter include SUNY faculty, staff and students, SUNY Optometry alumni, members of SUNY System Administration, the Board of Trustees, the College Council, State legislators, and industry professionals. Archived issues can be found at http://www.sunyopt.edu/news/index.shtml. Areas for Further Development  In ongoing institutional strategic planning processes, participation and buy-in at the unit level should be further strengthened while continuing to maintain an institutional perspective.  Efforts to link strategic plan outcomes to routinely collected and monitored strategic indicators should continue, resulting in dashboards to monitor institutional effectiveness.

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