About Academic Support Unit Reviews
In 1999 Brigham Young University initiated academic support (formerly educational support) unit reviews in response to accreditation requirements and to foster an environment of continuous improvement. The university reviews each campus academic support unit using a 7-year calendar cycle and updates the calendar annually in response to organizational and leadership changes. The unit review itself consists of two consecutive days of interviews with unit employees, students, and close campus contacts. Typically eight to ten units are reviewed from February through November each calendar year.
Units Begin Reviewed:
In preparation for each unit review, unit members write a self-study after reflecting on current practices and responding to specific questions within several broad focus areas (e.g., Mission and Strategic Objectives, Unit Structure, Services and Processes, Climate). The self-study instructions and template can be found here.
Review Team:
As part of the unit review process, the university established an Academic Support Unit Review (ASUR) council comprised of 30 individuals from various academic support units across campus. These individuals are generally administrative, seasoned employees with assessment, analysis, interviewing, and writing skills. Council members serve for three years and comprise the internal team members for the unit review.
In addition to the internal team members, external reviewers (outside of BYU) also participate in the unit review process. These external reviewers are recommended by unit leadership as experts in their field. Therefore, the entire review team for each unit review consists of three ASUR council members (with one member designated as the team lead) and two external reviewers.
Unit Review Reports:
Following each unit review, external reviewers write an independent report providing their insights and recommendations. The internal team writes a separate report, informed by the external report. Once drafted, the ASUR council vets the internal report at a monthly council meeting. The final unit review report is published along with the self-study and external report and presented to the line Vice President. Final copies are also provided to unit leaders. Line management is tasked with effectively using the report to create a plan of action and to make necessary changes within the unit.