Texas Tech University
Certification of Compliance

Section II:  CORE REQUIREMENTS

Texas Tech University is in compliance with Core Requirement 2.5.

Beginning in 2001, Texas Tech University implemented an extensive strategic planning process at all levels of the institution and involving all academic, support, and other units. The university strategic plan is available on-line at http://www.ttu.edu/stratplan/universitystratplan.php. Individual area and unit plans are referenced in their responses to this core requirement and are linked to the Strategic Planning and Assessment Report homepage at http://techdata.irs.ttu.edu/stratreport/. These plans, along with links to 2003 assessment reports and area and unit home pages are also accessible at  http://www.irs.ttu.edu/SACS/UnitWebLinks.htm.

In 1996, in response to recommendations from the previous SACS reaccreditation campus visitation, Texas Tech University began requiring annual self-assessments at the department and college level. These self-assessments were submitted to the Office of Institutional Research and Information Management, but no other provision was made for their use.   This situation changed with the implementation of the Texas Tech University Strategic Plan in 2001.  Assessment was established as an integral part of the Texas Tech University strategic planning initiative. Annual self-assessment reports are required of all areas and units within the university. Progress toward of achievement of the goals of all constituent areas and units of the institution is evaluated by the next higher level administrators and assessment reports are processed from units to areas and ultimately to the university level. The presidentially-appointed Strategic Planning Council provides oversight of the planning and assessment process.  The bylaws of the SPC may be accessed at http://techdata.irs.ttu.edu/stratreport/docs/BYLAWS_Amended_11-6-03.pdf. The Strategic Planning Council is chaired by Ms. Kerry Billingsley, Director of Quality Service and Professional Development. The membership of the Strategic Planning Council, as of spring 2004, is listed below.

The Office of Strategic Planning is housed in the President’s Office. Strategic planning is directed by Dr. Gilmour Reeve. Dr. Reeve is responsible for administration and facilitation of the strategic planning and assessment process, for maintaining the report calendar, and for providing training and support related to planning and assessment.

Every unit in the university, including all academic programs and all support services, has a strategic plan. Annual assessment reports are required from each area and unit. The reports state the area or unit’s progress toward achieving the goals that were established in its strategic plan. These reports are evaluated by the administrator to which the area or unit reports: For example, the Department of Political Science annual report is evaluated by the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences report (which incorporates data from its respective departments) is evaluated by the Office of the Provost. Higher level administrators discuss progress toward meeting goals with their subordinates and suggest strategies for improvement. The strategic planning process uses assessment as a tool for determining the extent to which existing goals have been met, provides for adjustment to goals and critical success factors as needed, and provides data by which existing goals and critical success factors may be modified over time.

This aspect of the strategic plan is demonstrated through modifications that are currently under way to streamline it and to make it reflect the priorities of a new university president. The plan will be simplified by reducing the original nine goals to five.

Reducing the number of goals from nine to five is also an indication that the university’s strategic goal on accountability (Goal 9) has been realized. The university has established an ongoing process of planning and assessment. The Office of Strategic Planning, operating through the Office of the President, coordinates the annual university-wide planning and assessment activities. This process has now been embedded into the administrative reporting structure of the university. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to have a goal for accountability in the strategic plan.

The university is also working toward integrating the budgeting and strategic planning processes. In one of his first actions as President of Texas Tech University, Dr. Whitmore created a Budget Advisory Council, made up of staff, faculty, and student members. This council will advise the President on budget matters. The Director of Strategic Planning sits on the Budget Advisory Council to help coordinate budgeting with the strategic planning and assessment process.

Below is a list of Websites, Strategic Plans, and Assessment Reports for TTU units: