The Challenge
Department chairs and deans lacked accessible data to inform and measure the impact of resource allocation decisions. Existing reports included disparate data points and required extensive manual analysis.
The Solution
Using Academic Performance Solutions (APS), SAU was able to use key department-level metrics to inform resource requests and make allocation decisions.
The Results
SAU’s partnership with APS has improved transparency into the resource allocation process. With easily accessible data, the labor-intensive and time-consuming process of analyzing different data points has been drastically reduced. Additionally, SAU has identified opportunities to shift resources to high-demand departments.
Impact Highlights
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$0K
Streamlining Department Review Process with Standardized Data
In previous years, SAU’s Faculty Finance Committee (FFC) reviewed data for a few select departments. Using APS metrics and analyses, the finance team was able to create comprehensive department-level reports to measure the health of all departments. By including both operational and financial metrics, department chairs were able to understand how their operational decisions impacted their financial results.
Building Comprehensive Department-Level Reports
40 departments analyzed
18 APS metrics used
APS Analyses Used to Create Departmental Reports
Surfacing Resource Reallocation Opportunities Across Departments
Leveraging the reports generated for each department, the FFC was able to engage in data-supported conversations with deans, chairs, and faculty. Together, they reviewed the reports to identify insights and opportunities.
Faculty Finance Committee Meetings
Reviewed reports with academic stakeholders
- Used departmental reports to facilitate discussions about the current use of resources
- Asked targeted questions to illuminate existing efficiencies and potential opportunities
Department Chair Buy-In and Agreement
Used reports to understand departmental performance and resource use
- Achieved consensus about which departments to prioritize for resources
- Did not submit requests to replace five retired faculty lines – allowing SAU to add 2.5 new lines for high demand departments
Faculty Finance Committee Meetings
Maximum Capacity
Accurately document maximum capacity to correctly measure fill rates and instructional capacity
Intercurricular Dependency
Align distinct course offerings with student enrollment trends, such as in departments teaching large share of non-majors
Faculty Course Loads
Balance course loads – particularly for full-time, tenured faculty who currently teach most courses
Bottleneck Courses
Consolidate low-fill sections and reallocate resources to bottleneck courses
Surfacing Resource Reallocation Opportunities Across Departments
Making Data-Informed Decisions with APS.
Administrative Impact
0 Hours
Academic Planning Outcome
$0
Departments Served
0%
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