In order to meet the SACS standards of institutional effectiveness, administrative offices, departments, and programs at W&M are focusing on the following elements:

• A clearly stated PURPOSE that links each department, program, or office to the institutional mission or general operations of the College
• Clearly stated OBJECTIVES that are oriented to achieving the units purpose
• Clear statements about ACTIVITIES associated with the objectives or expectations
• EVALUATIONS of activities in terms of expected levels of performance
• EVIDENCE BASED DECISION-MAKING: Descriptions of how information from assessments is used in decisions about activities and resources

Example of (P)rocess of (I)nstitutional (E)ffectiveness (PIE) for an administrative or support office, department, or program (Institutional Research):

• PURPOSE: The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) is a trusted provider of accurate, timely, unbiased, research-based information regarding the College and its role in higher education. OIR serves as a catalyst and coalition builder in support of the College's mission by developing and disseminating knowledge relevant to effective operations of the College.
• OBJECTIVE I: Utilize the new Banner Datamart for information development, reporting, and analysis.
• ACTIVITIES: IR staff will review SCT Banner Datamart documentation and review/test Datamart tables and views to determine how to produce necessary information. Required reports and files will be delivered on time. Requests will be satisfied with delivery of materials
• EVALUATION: On-time delivery of required reports and files, as well as timely delivery of data and information to requesters. For required reports and files, track submit date to due dates. For requested materials, use requester log to contact requesters regarding satisfaction with IR service (possible done by another office).
• EVIDENCE BASED DECISION-MAKING: Evaluation results will be reviewed by the Director of IR to determine possible improvement strategies. Evaluation results and Directors evaluation will be shared with the Vice Provost for administrative considerations