Item 2021-11: Replacement of SIRS

On 3/2/23, UCUE supported the proposed list of institution-level questions to be used in the new SPLS.

Feedback on proposed institutional questions was reviewed on 2/13/2023. The plan is to submit a final list of questions for UCUE approval on 3/2/2023.

On February 2, 2023, UCUE representatives on the SIRS replacement committee reported progress made on the development of a draft list of proposed institution-wide survey questions. UCUE members were asked to share the proposed list with their constituencies and provide feedback by 2/10/2023.

On January 19, 2023, UCUE discussed the MSU Instructional Rating System Policies and raised a few items to be taken into consideration by the SIRS replacement committee (e.g., confidentiality). UCUE supported the MSU Instructional Rating System Policies with the expectation that issues raised during the discussion be addressed in a timely manner. UCUE discussed the Instructional Rating System Recommended Implementation. 

On January 5, 2023, UCUE selected two replacement representatives. The new representatives are Patty West and Kathy Gallo.

On October 13, 2022, UCUE representatives on the SIRS replacement committee reported progress made in three main focus areas: A) listening tour with colleges and stakeholder groups to help understand the process, B) weekly IT meetings with vendor, C) and development of a SIRS Enhancement Policy Considerations document. 

Referred to Provost for next procedural steps on October 6, 2020 at Steering. A subcommittee including members of UCUE (Gilstrap, Tessmer, and Leinninger) is working on it. Leinninger gave an update at the September 2, 2021 UCUE meeting in which she stated that the subcommittee had met with seven or eight vendors over the summer and that it has been narrowed down to a few; according to Leinninger, the subcommittee is reviewing demonstrations from the remaining vendors. At the October 7, 2020 UCUE meeting, Leinninger reported that the committee recommended Explorance Blue as the new vendor. The Office of Academic Governance was contacted by the Office of Undergraduate Education requesting feedback from academic governance regarding the implementation of the new SIRs vendor. The issue was considered at the September 6, 2022 Steering Committee. The item was referred to UCUE and UCGS. UCGS considered the issue at the September 20, 2022 meeting and emphasized the need for easy use. Members indicated that they would email the Secretary for Academic Governance with more feedback after further thought. The item is expected to be taken up at the next UCUE meeting.

At the September 29, 2022 meeting, UCUE identified three representatives who will actively advise/engage with the SIRS replacement process: Michael Callahan, Tiffany Wahl, and Patty West.

At the October 16, 2022 UCGS Meeting, Dr. Marilyn Amey and Dr. Nate Clason presented an update on the work of the Replacement of the SIRS System: history of the efforts, phases of their work, and next steps. Phase 5 (US23): Pilot test and review. Phase 6 (FS23): soft launch and on-boarding of units. Phase 7 (SS24): official launch; and Phase 8 (FS24): review and assessment of system. No action was taken at this time.

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Disclaimer: The above information was prepared by the Office of Academic Governance and may be incomplete, ambiguous, or inaccurate. Office of Academic Governance staff strive to provide a complete, accurate description of events, but Spartans are welcome to send editorial suggestions to the secretary for academic governance at acadgov@msu.edu.