The institution periodically evaluates the effectiveness of its administrators. (Administrative staff evaluations)
Compliance Status
Louisiana State University and A&M College is in compliance with this principle.
Narrative
Similar to the faculty members at Louisiana State University and A&M College (LSU), administrators [1] undergo an annual review process [2] [3]. The review process is described in policy statements PS-35 Performance Evaluation of Administrative, Professional, and Other Academic Staff [2] and PS-111 Consultation with Faculty in Certain Reviews of Administrative Performance [3]. In each case, the reviewing officer is the administrator's primary supervisor. Certain academic administrator performance evaluations, however, require input from the faculty of the unit [4]. According to PS-111, a systematic consultation and communication between the reviewing officer and the faculty in the academic unit must occur at least every other year for the review process of certain academic positions. This consultation often is conducted by the use of a survey instrument [2]. The reporting officer reports back to the faculty of the unit on the evaluation, including a summary of the results of observations and opinions of the faculty that have been collected. The review results in a written report, including the reviewing officer’s evaluation of the administrator’s job performance, based on job responsibility. The report is signed by the reviewing officer and by the administrator being evaluated; it is then placed on record in the administrator’s file, which is subject to the confidentiality requirements of PS-40 [5].
Key Administrative Leadership Positions
President and Chancellor: The president and chancellor is the chief executive officer of the university and exercises complete executive authority therein, subject to the direction and control of the LSU Board of Supervisors. Additional information on the CEO evaluation process is presented in the compliance certificate for Comprehensive Standard 3.2.1.
Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost: The executive vice chancellor and provost is the chief operating officer and the chief academic officer of the university. He/she acts as chief administrative officer in the absence of the president and chancellor. The executive vice chancellor and provost represents the Office of the President and Chancellor on both internal and external matters. The executive vice chancellor and provost is reviewed annually by the president and chancellor. The annual evaluation typically addresses accomplishments over the previous fiscal year, future goals, and how these work toward the university’s strategic plan.
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer: The vice chancellor for finance and administrative services reports directly to the president and chancellor and is annually evaluated for satisfactory performance by the chancellor.
Vice Chancellors: Three vice chancellors report to the executive vice chancellor and provost and oversee specific university functions: vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development, vice chancellor for Student Life and Enrollment Services, and the vice chancellor for Strategic Initiatives. The vice chancellors serve in the vice chancellor cabinet and also meet with the executive vice chancellor and provost normally on a monthly basis. The executive vice chancellor and provost conducts annual evaluations of the vice chancellors.
Vice Provosts: The university has four vice provosts that reside in the Office of Academic Affairs and report directly to the executive vice chancellor and provost: vice provost for Academic Affairs (Academic Programs, Planning & Review), vice provost for Academic Affairs (Human Resources & Facilities Management), vice provost for Equity, Diversity & Community Outreach, and vice provost for Fiscal Management. The executive vice chancellor and provost conducts annual evaluations on the vice provosts. In addition, the executive vice chancellor and provost meets regularly with the vice provosts, normally weekly.
Deans: Academic deans are responsible to the chancellor through the executive vice chancellor and provost. They are the chief executive officers of their respective colleges or schools and hold office at the pleasure of the LSU Board of Supervisors. They are responsible for all aspects of academic life within their colleges, including budgets, teaching, research, and personnel matters involving faculty, staff, and students. The executive vice chancellor and provost conducts annual evaluations of the deans but also meets on a regular, ongoing basis to assess performance. At least every other year, the review process includes a systematic consultation and communication between the reviewing officer and the faculty in the academic unit, per PS-111 [3].
Department Chairs/Heads: Department chairs or heads are the executive officers of the academic departments. They are responsible to the chancellor through the appropriate dean and the executive vice chancellor and provost and hold office at the pleasure of the LSU Board of Supervisors. The department chairs/heads are reviewed annually by the reviewing officer, typically the dean of the academic unit. At least every other year, the review process normally includes a systematic consultation and communication between the reviewing officer and the faculty in the academic unit, per PS-111 [3].
Example of Annual Evaluations
To illustrate the application of the evaluation process on administrative staff, a series of recent evaluations of a dean of a college for three consecutive years is attached [6].