OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT IMPLEMENTATION

School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management

	1997-1998	1998-1999	1999-2000	2000-2001	2001-2002
Assessment information collection*	Entry level exam NRM 101 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 304 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 405 Exit interviews with dean and SALRM committee	Entry level exam NRM 101 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 304 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 405 Exit interviews with dean and SALRM committee	Entry level exam NRM 101 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 304 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 405 Exit interviews with dean and SALRM committee	Entry level exam NRM 101 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 304 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 405 Track first year and transfer students Exit interviews with dean and SALRM committee	Entry level exam NRM 101 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 304 Writing and speaking evaluations NRM 405 Track first year and transfer students Exit interviews with dean and SALRM committee
Conclusions drawn from this information	Need to offer a “bridge” for NRM majors after NRM 101 Maintain academic advising integrity Writing and speaking skills of NRM 304 improved over duration of course Need a “field experience” for all majors**	Establish NRM 106 as a permanent course to offer a “bridge for NRM majors after NRM 101 Provide clarification of options to all students Continue emphasis on writing skills in NRM 304** Retention issues are not actually related to academic success	Track first year students separately from transfer students Enhance access to out-of-classroom opportunities within the degree program	Initiate dialogue to address two-year degree programs leading to certification Review the curriculum for relevance to rapidly changing employment pool Consider innovative support fields embedded within the degree program	2000-2001 items are in progress within the Curriculum Review to be completed by December 2001
Curricular changes resulting from conclusions	Development of NRM 106 (97-98 degree requirement;offered initially as Special Topics) Requirement of NRM 290 2-credit field course for all NRM majors	Revised NRM 405 senior thesis handbook – clarified advisory committee’s role in directing student research Relabeled NRM 405 as 4-credits as NRM 405 and NRM 406 as 2-credits each to distinguish start-up and completion	Revised NRM 304 to include short written assignments throughout the semester Improved orientation and advising session for all majors	Enhanced access to out-of class opportunities within degree program with short courses	Continuing considerations of formalized support fields

* An alumni survey was conducted in 1996 ** Added after review of notes during review of accreditation documents

Notations for Assessment Plans for Natural Resources Management B.S. Degree

School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management

1. NRM 304 Perspectives in Natural Resources Management—syllabus changes were implemented based on evaluations obtained by faculty team. NRM 304 provides critical information in assessing writing and speaking skills of upper-division NRM majors.

2. SALRM has sponsored informal field trips and social functions to enhance student/faculty interaction, e.g. Angel Rocks, Denali Park, Welcome Back BBQ, Orientation Tour.

3. New course/special topic course development and curricular enhancement have begun from assessment tools.

· Curriculum Review of all degree programs in SALRM began in 2000-2001. In addition to NRM 106 Orientation to Natural Resources Management and NRM 290 Natural Resource Management Issues at High Latitudes, courses developed from early assessment implementation, SALRM has initiated dialogue with UAF’s Rural Development program to examine common courses within the AAS in Renewable Resources.

· NRM 101 Conservation of Natural Resources and Policy, the introductory course for NRM majors, is currently being developed as a course to offer to off-campus locations.

· A special topics course for upper-division/graduate students in Spring 2002-NRM 497/697 Tropical Ecosystem Management enhances student exploration of alternative ecosystems. In exit interviews of our graduating majors, out-of-classroom experiences have been valuable in making the “real world” connection with lectures and labs.

4. NRM 490-Why Do Boreal Forests Matter was developed to allow educators a view of the unique nature of the forests of Alaska and the circumpolar north. The course instructors work with the Alaska Boreal Forest Council and local school districts in providing an alternative learning opportunity for educators.

5. NRM 161-Wilderness Leadership Education and NRM 361 Advanced Wilderness Leadership Education are course developed to provide leadership skills and wilderness exploration. SALRM has partnered with the Denali Foundation in making these courses available to UAF students as well as students arriving in Alaska for just a summer experience.

6. SALRM has established dialogue with the Cooperative Extension Service, Tanana Chiefs Conference and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources-Division of Forestry as the initial plans to offer an AAS in Forest Technology and Forest Management at UAF. This course of study would provide critical training and experience for rural students who are pursuing employment in the forest industry.

7. New faculty hires in the Department of Forest Sciences will enhance application skills of forest management, directly related to the needs identified in developing a new degree—AAS-Forest Technology.

8. SALRM and AFES have provided student employment in horticulture research, forest soils research, and forest management research during the academic year as well as summer research seasons. Experience in a dynamic field of research and resource management prior to graduation from UAF has proven to give students an advantage in seeking full-time employment.

9. Undergraduate research is enhanced by the requirement of NRM 405/406 Senior Thesis. Faculty advisory committees direct individual research plans. These plans provide valuable first-hand exposure and experience as a cap-stone course in the student’s undergraduate experience. SALRM will be enhancing a new partnership available to UAF students-AURA-Alaska Undergraduate Reseach Access. This program is administered by Alaska EPSCor-Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.