ABSTRACT
Achieving and maintaining high standards in programs and services is an essential and shared goal across academic, student life, administrative offices, and service departments and the institution as a whole. to that end, Category 4 focuses on how programs and services of all types are designed, supported, standardized, implemented, evaluated, continuously improved, or discontinued. Regardless of the type of organization being considered, the place to begin is by reviewing the mission, vision, and goals of an institution, department, or program and then asking how well the current programs and services reflect those purposes, aspirations, and directions. Rigorous and systematic review provides the basis for determining whether particular programs are a strength or in need of improvement. Improvement may take the form of refinement, innovation, redesign, or discontinuation. Mission-critical programs and services are those that are essential to the work of the institution, department, or program and to the purposes for which the organization was created.
