Entering Information
General Information
This system is designed to work with Microsoft Internet Explorer and other Microsoft Office Products. When working with those products you can use the copy and paste functions to copy a goal, action plan, or method of assessment from a previous year's goals to the current year. You can also copy and paste information from a Microsoft Word file. Do not copy and paste information from other word processing programs.
There are four different procedures for entering information into the system depending on what stage in the planning process you are working in. These stages are described below. Each unit has a department code and a password. The department codes are accessible from the main screen (click on Planning Units on the left menu). If your unit does not have a password or forgot its password, contact Barry Stein.
Log on
Enter the program code and password. Then click on submit. Program codes and planning units can be found by clicking on Planning Units on the left menu.
Select Year
Select the planning year and click on submit.
Editing a Mission Statement
Each unit should have a mission statement. These statements are automatically copied from the previous year. If your unit never entered a statement or if your unit would like to modify its mission statement, click on the Edit Mission Statement button under Mission on the main menu screen for Departmental Mission and Goals. Be sure to click on Submit button once you have finished editing your mission statement to record the information into the database.
Adding a New Goal
At the beginning of each yearly planning cycle, departments will start with a blank slate and will have to add new goals to their strategic plan. Goals which extend beyond one year may be carried forward by the system. To add a new strategic goal click on the Add a New Strategic Goal button. Each goal should be linked to a university goal, have a clear action plan, a clear method of assessment, an estimated completion date, and should indicate whether or not it involves a student outcome measure. Be sure to click on Submit to record the information into the database. Goals can be edited latter once they have been submitted.
Linking a New Goal to University Goals
Beginning in 2006, you will link each unit goal to one or more university goals by clicking on the appropropriate check boxes. Moving the cursor over the check box will display the full goal description.
Linking a New Goal to University Assessment Indicators (Measurable Objectives)
Beginning in 2006, you will link each unit goal to one or more university assessment indicators by clicking on the appropropriate check boxes.
Editing an Existing Goal
Changes can be made to existing goals during the current year. Click on the Edit Strategic Goals button next to edit an existing goal. Be sure to click on Submit to record the information into the database.
Updating Progress on Goals and Measurable Objectives
Throughout the year, each unit should update the progress made on each goal and university-wide measurable objective that appears on this screen. Click on the Update Progress on Goals button .
Updating Progress on Unit Goals
Select the goal to update by clicking on the word "Update" next to the appropriate goal. You will only be able to enter information in two fields. Select an option in Status drop down box, and enter an explanation in the text box under "Explanation of Progress." Be sure to click on Submit to record the information into the database.
Updating Progress on University-wide Measurable Objectives
The university collects information from each unit on certain measurable objectives in the strategic plan regardless of whether the unit has a specific goal tied to that objective. These measurable objectives appear at the bottom of the screen that first appears when the Update Progress on Goals button is clicked. You should enter the number of activities the unit has accomplished related to each measurable objective and a brief description of what those activities were. Be sure to click on the Submit at the bottom of the page before exiting.
Time-out Function
As a security measure the system will time-out after approximately 30 minutes of inactivity. Changes will not be saved after this time and you will need to login again.
