Office of Student Life
Center for the Study of Student Life

Program Review

Program review is an important strategic intiative within the Office of Student Life. Its central purpose is to foster exemplary programs and practices within the Office of Student Life that support student engagement, learning and well-being. Program review also strengthens departmental alignment to the mission and priorities of Student Life and the university. 

The objectives of program review are to: 

  • Assess how well a department performs in relation to its objectives, university priorities and Office of Student Life goals and strategic initiatives.
  • Encourage strategic thinking about a department’s future direction.
  • Define ways within existing resources that a department can continue to improve in the quality of its programs, services, activities and operations.
  • Provide evidence of the excellence and effectiveness of a department’s programs, activities, services and operations.
  • Evaluate the extent to which a department has successfully addressed student learning and development outcomes and/or business and service outcomes.
  • Identify obstacles that inhibit a department from achieving its desired goals and develop strategies to manage these obstacles.

Overview

In 2003, all departments at The Ohio State University were asked to undergo Program Reviews on an ongoing basis. The Office of Student Life used the opportunity to develop a model that fits its unique needs and timeframes.

Within the Student Life Program Review process, departments participate in a program review every five years. Departments complete a self-evaluation using the Council on the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education Self-Assessment Guide. An external committee then conducts a virtual site visit to gather insight from departmental staff, students, and partners across the university. Once the external committee has submitted their final report, departments assemble a response and action plan. Regular updates on the action plan will be provided by the department to strategy staff and senior leadership in the Office of Student Life.

Please refer to the Student Life Program Review Guidebook for more detailed information.

For additional information, please contact

Tori Rehr
Senior Program Review and Strategic Planning Analyst
rehr.1@osu.edu