JMU Performance Measures

The performance measures for the university are tracked by the Office of Institutional Research. These measures of critical functions provide insight into the changing nature of the institution. The measures are grouped into many categories:

Student Success- employment rates, licensure exam pass rates, etc.

Demographics- residency, ethnicity, gender, degrees awarded, etc.

Efficiency- expenditures, room utilization, management standards.

Quality- students, faculty, instruction.

Resources- research & public service, appropriations, endowments.

Satisfaction- responses from student surveys.

Student Persistence- student retention rates, graduation rates, time to degree.

Costs- tuition and fees.

Financial Aid- loans, grants, scholarships, awards.

Current Perfomance Measures

 

Institutional Performance Standards

Over the years several efforts have been undertaken by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the General Assembly to encourage accountability by monitoring the performance of Virginia's higher education institutions. The 2006 General Assembly adopted Institutional Performance Standards (IPS) that are used to "certify" that institutions are meeting important objectives of the Commonwealth. According to the website of Virginia's Secretary of Education:

"Under the restructuring act, three levels of autonomy are available to all public institutions of higher education, with the level of autonomy depending on each institution's financial strength and ability to manage day-to-day operations. The act requires the institutions to develop six-year academic, financial and enrollment plans that outline tuition and fee estimates as well as enrollment projections, to develop detailed plans for meeting statewide objectives, and to accept a number of accountability measures, including meeting benchmarks related to accessibility and affordability. Financial incentives are available to schools which meet state objectives.
This legislation is the most sweeping change in Virginia's system of public higher education in decades.  In the effort to provide colleges and universities with more predictability and flexibility, the Governor and legislature worked to ensure that Virginians see tangible benefits, like improved access, affordability, and quality. In return for additional autonomy from the state, the institutions commit to continue participating in enterprise-wide government reforms, especially helping the state leverage its purchasing power and manage information technology in the most cost-efficient way."

Higher Education Restructuring information

JMU's Institutional Response to the Standards

JMU has performed well on all standards for which it is responsible and for which SCHEV has created measures. Performance results are available for the last few years.