ASSESSING AND SUPPORTING QUALITY IN THE LIBERAL ARTS: THE ROLE OF THE CHIEF LIBERAL ARTS ACADEMIC OFFICER

Using data from a random sample of chief liberal arts academic officers in American colleges and universities, the authors have examined formal methods for evaluating the liberal arts, resource allocation policies of chief liberal arts academic officers, and factors which influence these evaluations. The liberal arts are defined as the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Data were presented on 14 evaluation factors related to distinct dimensions of department and program excellence. Findings suggest that “resources for excellence” are unevenly distributed among departments. If the educational goal of the 1980s — quality education — is to be met, these inconsistencies in resource allocations must be corrected.