Architecture Program Report Tulane University New Orleans ...

Tulane Renewal Plan, a response to the problems incurred by the
University due to Hurricane Katrina. This refocusing of the University
contains initiatives that will continually involve the necessary upgrades and
coordination of all academic and administrative departments while at the
same time preparing for the upcoming university re-accreditation review.
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Tulane University and the School of Architecture as a unit within the
University maintain a number of different self-assessment procedures that
ensure ongoing evaluation of its programs. The School of Architecture is
very interested in the continuous monitoring of all aspects of the program,
particularly as they affect the faculty, staff, and student body. TSA uses both
formal and informal means of facilitating the assessment process. Since
the School of Architecture is one of the smaller units within the University,
faculty, staff, and students are able to streamline many of the informal and
formal self-assessment procedures. And, as is the general habit of a school
of architecture, self-assessment and self-criticism are virtual by-laws of the
program; it is a process engaged both within and between the various
constituent groups.
Faculty
The committee structure involves the Faculty in an active process of
assessment through both the constitutional committees and the standing
committees. As one example, the Curriculum Committee receives
suggestions for assessment or change from both formal channels (e.g.,
faculty meeting motions) and informal ones (e.g., suggestions from faculty
or ideas from student members on the Committee). As well, the very critical
deliberations of this Committee are informed by material solicited from our
sister institutions, as a means of self-measurement and critique. Other
committees, the work of which becomes especially involved with selfassessment,
are the Executive Committee, the Grievance Committee, the
Promotions, Reappointment and Tenure Committee, the New Faculty
Committee, and the Resources Committee.
Administration and Faculty Self-assessment
The Dean's evaluations and initiatives further the process of selfassessment
within the School. Former Dean Kroloff, in conjunction with the
faculty, has taken a special interest in examining the workings of the
Curriculum throughout the past three years.
Faculty, staff, and administration also participate in intermittent faculty
retreats in order to reassess the state of the program. The last formal
faculty retreat occurred in early 2005, prior to the experience of Katrina.
Led by Dean Reed Kroloff, much of the faculty retreat material findings
became part of the new Strategic Plan (see above). Since then, the faculty
has staged more informal retreats, also led by the Dean. There have been
three such retreats in 2006-07, supplemented by numerous 'faculty
discussion sessions' that alternate with 'faculty business meetings.' These
discussions sessions thus occurred on a bi-monthly basis. Issues