GOALS | OBJECTIVES | ASSESSMENTS

2011-2012
Eastern Michigan University-Construction Management Program
Continuous Improvement Program

Following is a list of program-level Student Learning Outcomes including measurement, input data and outcome for 2011-2012 school year.

1st Teaching & Learning Goal:

To fully prepare management-oriented professionals for the construction industry through effective teaching/learning.

OBJECTIVE 1: Engender student participation in activities preparing them for professional roles in the construction industry (this is a new objective).
Measurement: Participation in ASC regional competition.
Input Data: ASC regional competition results.
Outcome: Students interacting with construction professionals and hopefully placing in the competition.

OBJECTIVE 2: Increase in pass rate for students taking AIC's CQE-Level Construction Fundamentals Exam (this objective is continued from last year).
Measurement: Increase in pass rate over the previous year.
Input Data: AIC exam
Outcome: Graduates become industry certified professionals; Program validation; Input for course and program revisions.

OBJECTIVE 3: Continually validate Program robustness by having our faculty participate, contribute and learn from the ACCE Visiting Team accreditation visits at least once biennially (this objective is continued from last year).
Measurement: Annually or biennially, one CM faculty on the ACCE Visiting Team to accredit or re-accredit construction programs.
Input Data: ACCE accreditation visits.
Outcome: Program validation, input to course revisions and concentrations, input to program management best practices, and input to student organization activities.

OBJECTIVE 4: Implement a continuous improvement plan for evaluation and feedback of adjunct teaching (this objective is continued from last year).
Measurement: Evaluation instrument in place and carried out at least once per year.
Input Data: Adjunct faculty class observation.
Outcome: Concerns and weaknesses from the 2008 Visiting Team Report addressed; continuous improvement.

OBJECTIVE 5: Increase student coursework containing written communications demonstrating improved grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills (with faculty evaluation and feedback) (this objective is continued from last year).
Measurement: Faculty teaching courses integrating communication provide input by submitting grading samples and/or feedback for one or two courses per year.
Input Data: Course syllabus and content.
Outcome: Concerns/weaknesses from the 2008 Visiting Team Report addressed; continuous improvement; students better prepared to succeed in the workplace; accreditation maintained.

2nd Teaching & Learning Goal:

To expand learning opportunities for CM students to include more diverse experiences.

OBJECTIVE 1: Increase learning beyond the classroom opportunities with service learning construction projects for EMU and the surrounding community (this objective has been modified from last year).
Measurement: Program majors carry out a minimum of one service project within or outside EMU annually.
Input Data: Eastern Constructors student group projects.
Outcome: Students learn construction skills; students learn teamwork.

OBJECTIVE 2: Increase collaborative efforts of CM students and faculty in scholarship and learning (this objective has been modified from last year).
Measurement: Carry out one or two collaborative activities with students and/or faulty annually.
Input Data: Independent study, directed study, co-op, and faculty-student research collaboration such as the EMU Undergraduate Symposium.
Outcome: Learn collaboration, research skills and enhanced oral and written communication skills.

OBJECTIVE 3: Increase emphasis on green building in our Program curriculum and student involvement (this objective has been modified from last year).
Measurement: CM courses to include some components related to sustainability.
Input Data: Required green building course and course syllabi.
Outcome: State-of-the art sustainability knowledge gain; improved employment of graduates.

OBJECTIVE 4: Increase student interaction with industry practitioners at informal and professional gatherings (this is a new objective).
Measurement: Program hosts two or three events annually.
Input Data: Guest speakers, holiday events, field trips and professional meetings with students/faculty and industry practitioners involved.
Outcome: Networking, knowledge gain; improved employment of graduates.

OBJECTIVE 5: Increase co-op employment opportunities for CM students (this is a new objective).
Measurement: CM Program hosts two Career Fairs annually.
Input Data: Students obtaining co-op positions.
Outcome: Networking, knowledge gain; improved permanent employment of graduates.

Research & Acquisition of Knowledge Goal:

Maintain CM faculty involvement in research and knowledge acquisition related to their fields of expertise.

OBJECTIVE 1: Faculty to attend CM related conferences (this objective is continued from last year).
Measurement: One or two conferences attended by CM faculty annually.
Input Data: Conferences attended, papers presented, panels involvement.
Outcome: Faculty knowledge gain; faculty network with industry and/or peer institutions.

OBVJECTIVE 2: Faculty to maintain affiliations with professional associations (this objective is continued from last year).
Measurement: Incorporated knowledge acquired from professional associations into course curriculum and/or program.
Input Data: Membership of professional associations; attendance of professional association activities.
Outcome: Faculty knowledge gain; faculty network with industry and/or peer institutions.

Engagement & Service Goal:

Conduct service activities that strengthen and diversify the CM program.

OBJECTIVE 1: Improve recruitment efforts to increase the percentage of minorities and women in our Program (this objective is continued from last year).
Measurement: CM faculty to attend one or two recruiting events annually.
Input Data: Recruiting events attended; targeted outreach.
Outcome: Increased diverse student body; Increased enrollment.

OBJECTIVE 2: Involvement of faculty and/or students in community service projects.
Measurement: Participation in one community project annually (this objective has been modified from last year).
Input Data: Eastern Constructor projects
Outcome: Enhanced student-community relations.

OBJECTIVE 3: Increase faculty participation in CM program development, assessment and/or service to the profession at least once per year (this objective has been modified from last year).
Measurement: CM faculty participate in CM program development, assessment and/or service to the profession at least once per year.
Input Data: CM faculty meetings; CM faculty participation/service in professional associations.
Outcome: Continuous faculty input to program improvement and contribution to professional service needs.

Optional Goal 1: Teaching and Learning:

To promote research-and practice-informed teaching relevant to the current trends in the industry.

OBJECTIVE 1: Involvement of Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) in critiquing courses and curriculum (this objective has been modified from last year).
Measurement: At least one or two courses critiqued annually; at least one or two capstone course final projects critiqued annually.
Input Data: Capstone course exit interviews by IAC member; review and feedback of textbook and syllabi by IAC member; student project review and feedback by industry professionals.
Outcome: Industry involvement in the curriculum; industry relevant and up to date materials being taught.

OBJECTIVE 2: Resuscitate the CM Alumni Association and focus on improving member participation (this is a new objective).
Measurement: Alumni Association running again with members participating and interacting with CM students.
Input Data: CM Alumni Association activities such as meetings (virtual or face to face) and social events.
Outcome: Alumni interacting and learning among themselves and with the CM students and faculty.

Data Collection Summary from last year 2010-2011:

During the past year, we have collected data for continuous improvement as noted below:

1. Biannual review of the EMU CM student results of the AIC’s CQE-Level I Construction Fundamentals Exam. 
2. Biannual review of the capstone course (CNST 450) class exit surveys conducted by CM Advisory Board members.   
3. Biannual review of senior exit surveys online.
4. Adjunct classroom visits and evaluations.
5. Biannual meetings with Industry Advisory Committee to gather advice on all program matters.
6. We are accredited by the ACCE:  Input from Visiting Team Report from 2008; participation in the biannual ACCE meetings; ACCE accreditation visits (to other universities seeking accreditation) by EMU CM faculty.

Status of 2010-2011 Goals (last year):

Progress has been made on all the goals listed during the past school year (2010-2011). The CM faculty feels all these goals are still relevant and are worthy of continued focus.

1) 1st Teaching & Learning Goal:
To fully prepare management-oriented professionals for the construction industry through effective teaching/learning.

Status:

1. The AIC Level I test was required of all capstone course students: Test results: 2010 - 69% passed; 2011 - 70 % passed.
2. Dr Ben Ilozor (EMU CM faculty member) participated in an ACCE accreditation visit in 2010 (University of Wisconsin Stout).
3. At least one EMU faculty member attended both ACCE annual meetings (2010 and 2011); The 2010/2011 Progress Report was approved by the ACCE; all Concerns and Weaknesses were addressed and alleviated.
4. An adjunct evaluation process is in place; adjuncts have been observed in the classroom and evaluated including Craig Sielaff and Scott Miller; feedback was given to each adjunct evaluated.
5. Faculty continues to include written communication assignments and provide feedback regarding grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills.

2) 2nd Teaching & Learning Goal:
To expand learning opportunities for CM students to include more diverse experiences.

Status:

1. Conducted two major learning beyond the classroom construction service projects for the greater community over the last year.
2. Faculty worked with one student who participated in the EMU University wide Undergraduate Symposium; one student was sponsored by faculty in the McNair Scholars Program.
3. Increased sustainability content in the CM curriculum; LEED course has been continuously updated and improved and is offered online; other courses have implemented sustainability topics including CNST 201, and CNST 303; have initiated a grant request of Phase I for a proposed, new Green Construction learning Lab; a new course was offered for the first time and ran during the Winter 2011 semester (Environmental Construction).

3) Research & Acquisition of Knowledge Goal:
Maintain CM faculty involvement in research and knowledge acquisition related to their fields of expertise.

Status:

1. Faculty has attended CM-related conferences/meetings to expand knowledge base including ACCE, ASC, PMI, WCA and AGC; faculty presented at PMI.
2. Faculty/Program maintained affiliations within professional associations, including ASC, AGC, ACCE, ESD, ASCE and PMI; faculty incorporated knowledge acquired from professional associations into course curriculum.

4) Engagement & Service Goal:
Conduct service activities that strengthen and diversify the CM program.

Status:

1. CM faculty has improved recruitment efforts to increase the percentage of minorities in our Program by attending Explore Eastern events, President's Scholars and community college recruiting.
2. Faculty and students have conducted three major learning beyond the classroom construction service projects over the last year including the Neutral Zone project, Parsons project and Athletics Department cabinetry project; new multi-disciplinary. course has been developed and taught in Fall 2010 (CNST 279 Creative Careers – Design & Construction) which included community projects.
3. Faculty member has served on two ACCE committees (Guidance Committee and Finance Committee); faculty member has served on the PMI Board of Directors; faculty member has served on the WCA's Workforce Development Committee; faculty member has served on Michigan AGC's Continuing Education Committee

Optional Goal 1:
Teaching and Learning: To promote research and practice informed teaching relevant to the current trends in the industry.

Status:

1. The CM Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) vetted two courses including textbook reviews (CNST 125, CNST 303); CM IAC conducted two capstone course class exit interviews; No capstone course final projects were evaluated by the IAC.
2. Two teams were sent to the ASC Region III competition including Commercial and Heavy Civil; No placement.

Improvements for coming year (2011-2012)

• Continue to increase writing assignments for students and enhanced feedback from faculty.


• Ensure that computer hardware and software (regarding reliability and availability) are continually monitored and approved.


• Update the course "learning outcomes" ACCE matrix.


• Completion of EMU's annual Continuous Improvement Program.


• Complete more projects (community service and coursework) with CM students, faculty and students from other majors.


• Continue to implement adjunct evaluation procedures.


• Enhance student print reading skills.


• Offer two Career Fairs per year rather than one.


• Improve placement in Region III competitions.


• Improve recruitment efforts with high school and community colleges.

Assistance needed:

• Travel money to ACCE conferences.


• Updated construction tools and equipment for the lab.