[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/survey_winners_FHall.jpg” caption=”Angela Greenwood, left and Simon Andrews, right, accept prizes from Fred A. Hall, associate vice-president academic.
Photo credit: Deborah McIvor”]Simon Andrews, third-year arts & science and Angela Greenwood, second year geography, were pleased to receive gifts from the University for taking part in an online survey conducted to review undergraduate programs. Associate vice-president academic, Fred A. Hall, congratulated the students Friday morning, presenting Andrews with a new 30GB iPod and Greenwood with a $100 gift certificate from Titles Bookstore.

Andrews and Greenwood's names were drawn from among 802 undergraduate students who responded to the survey. Students enrolled in arts & science, classics, French, geography, earth & environmental science, nursing and social work were asked to participate in the 2006 review intended to gauge program satisfaction in these areas. The survey had an excellent response rate with over 50% of the program students responding in most of the programs being reviewed.

The results of the survey will be included in the self-study reports the programs are compiling. Compustat, a company that specializes in surveying, developed and conducted the survey in conjunction with a group of faculty members from McMaster.

The self-study is one part of an ongoing review process of undergraduate programs. A review team comprised of two external reviewers and one internal reviewer, to be selected by the dean and the associate vice-president academic and based on departmental recommendations, will be on campus for two days in March or April to complete the review. The reviewers will provide a report to the Undergraduate Council, the University Planning Committee and Senate with a follow up after eighteen months.

As part of the on-campus review, the team will meet with faculty, staff and students in the programs under assessment. The study will look at strengths and weaknesses to recognize areas of excellence and areas that need improvement within particular programs. An alumni survey is also part of the review process, intended to support the University's goal to maintain a high standard of education.

This review is in accordance with the Undergraduate Program Review Audit Guidelines posted at: www.cou.on.ca/_bin/affiliates/associations/upracmain.cfm.

Additional details of the review process available at:www.mcmaster.ca/senate/academic/ugprogrev.pdf.