Action Step 1:
 Increase investment in graduate education.

 FSU has made considerable efforts to hire new key faculty members to teach in its current graduate programs. It has increased the number of graduate assistantships, implemented a MBA program this year, and will begin a new master’s program in Human Service in the Fall, 2007. A budgetary analysis indicates that the investment is paying dividends through increased revenues for the University (Refer to Appendix of Strategic Goal Report).

The Audit Committee concurs with the assessment of the Implementation Committee that progress for 2006 – 2007 was at or above target.

FSU should continue to investigate the regional need for additional graduate certificate and degree programs. Most importantly, we need to continue to invest in needed faculty positions to reduce the dependency on overload delivery of graduate courses. This is essential to sustaining quality programs.

(1) Future reports should include the number of approved faculty members and graduate assistantships in each program, and a description of changes that have occurred in each since the previous report period.

(2) Financial viability can only be ascertained if there is analysis of any increase in indirect expenses incurred as a result of the graduate programs. Future evaluation of the impact of graduate programs on the University’s budget should include this analysis. The gross revenue less direct costs does not allow for evaluation of the full viability and impact.

Action Step 2:
Ensure meaningful graduate educational experiences.

FSU has developed quality graduate programs, all of which have received accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges. The curriculum of each program was created with the goal of attaining special discipline-specific accreditation as well. The Graduate Council approved a formal graduate program review process which will be used by the School of Education in the Fall, 2007. Improved application procedures for graduate faculty and prospective students have been implemented.

The Audit Committee concurs with the assessment of the Implementation Committee that progress for 2006 – 2007 was at or above target.

 FSU should create a more focused professional development program for graduate faculty with an emphasis on the adult learner, the expectations of graduate education and the role of discipline- specific scholarship in graduate education.

The Audit Committee makes no specific recommendation on this Action Step beyond the Implementation Committee’s self-study.

Action Step 3:
Implement best practices in graduate support services.

We are taking the critical first steps necessary to employ the best practices in all aspects of our graduate programs, including program and central administration, curriculum assessment, and prospective and current graduate student services.

 The Audit Committee concurs with the assessment of the Implementation Committee that progress for 2006 – 2007 was at or above target.

We need to expand our efforts to provide the support and opportunity for graduate faculty development with an emphasis on outcomes-based learning and curriculum assessment.

The Audit Committee commends the Implementation Committee and the Office of Graduate Studies for the support it has provided to graduate faculty members and administrators in professional development activities during this report period.  

Action Step 4:
Improve services to working adult graduate students.

While the administrative support services for our working adult graduate students are, in general working well, and appear to be meeting overall needs, FSU should make a more concerted effort to ensure effective, coordinated services from the Graduate Studies, Admissions and Registrar’s Offices. The addition of graduate student representatives to the Strategic Goal Four implementation group and Graduate Council will allow graduate students to have direct input into graduate studies issues.

The Audit Committee concurs with the assessment of the Implementation Committee that progress for 2006 – 2007 was below target, although progress was made toward the Year 1 Timeline Action Step.  

FSU should develop and conduct survey of present graduate students in order to better understand their concerns, level of satisfaction with student services, and suggestions for improvements.

The Implementation Committee Report, while acknowledging below target progress, lacked description of how graduate faculty members were involved in the implementation of this action step. The Audit Committee recommends the enlistment of active involvement of graduate faculty in the implementation of this Action Step.

Action Step 5:
Expand graduate education opportunities.

FSU has made considerable efforts to hire new key faculty members to teach in its current graduate programs. It has increased the number of graduate assistantships, implemented a MBA program this year, and will begin a new master’s program in Human Service in the Fall, 2007. A budgetary analysis indicates that the investment is paying dividends through increased revenues for the University (Refer to Appendix of Strategic Goal Report).

The Audit Committee concurs with the assessment of the Implementation Committee that progress for 2006 – 2007 was at or above target.

FSU should continue to investigate the regional need for additional graduate certificate and degree programs. Most importantly, we need to continue to invest in needed faculty positions to reduce the dependency on overload delivery of graduate courses. This is essential to sustaining quality programs.

The Audit Committee commends the Implementation Committee and the Office of Graduate Studies for their success and achievements in meeting and exceeding the
2006 – 2007 Year 1 Timeline Action Step.