Guidelines for the Selection of Outside Reviewers

for

Academic Program Review

When a program review involves outside reviewers, it is important to identify and engage these individuals as early in the year as possible.  Outside reviewer's reports are due in to the Office of the Regional Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in early March, so site visits may be conducted in late Fall or early Spring semester.

The decision regarding whether an outside reviewer will be asked to conduct a site visit or simply react to written documentation (a paper review) will be made by the

Dean and the Regional Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or designees in consultation with the department chair/program director.

The department chair/program director, in consultation with the Dean, will provide the Regional Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs' Office with 3-5 nominations for the outside reviewer(s).

Nominees should meet the following criteria:

A.  Required:

• Holds (or has held) the rank of Associate Professor or higher
• Is (or has been) affiliated with an institution outside State of Florida that offers programs similar to the one(s) being reviewed.
• Has administrative experience
• Has a respected record of scholarly activity in the discipline
• Is currently active in the discipline
• Has no conflict of interest with the University or with the unit(s) housing the program(s) being reviewed

B.  Preferred:

• Has experience in a publicly supported university or college
• Has experience evaluating programs (e.g. as accreditation or program review team member)
• Has a national reputation in the discipline
• Is (or has been) affiliated with a Carnegie Research I institution
• Is (or has been) affiliated with an institution that the program being reviewed or its home unit regards as an aspirational peer

Departments and colleges may add criteria or change preferred criteria to required criteria as appropriate.