University of Missouri Collected Rules and Regulations (Section 50.010) require that all established centers be reviewed every five years. The purposes of the review are as follows:

1. to assess the center’s contributions to one or more of the university’s four missions
2. to engage in long-term planning that supports the goals of MU’s Strategic Plan
3. to increase administrative knowledge about the center’s mission and plans for the future
4. to determine if the center’s activities are sufficient to warrant continuation.

The center assessment report (approximately 15 pages) consists of two primary parts. Part I should assess the unit’s contributions to one or more of the university’s four missions.

Although specific information within this assessment will vary, research-focused centers should typically address the following:

• Assessment of scholarly activity/productivity over the course of the review period (e.g., publications resulting from center activities; external grant dollars awarded to the center, including funding source)
• Assessment of strengths and opportunities for improvement of the center, focusing specifically on its ability to enhance research activity on the campus
• Interrelationships with other units on campus, including other UM campuses, that focus on collaborative and/or interdisciplinary research efforts
• A summary of the budget, revenues, expenses and other financial information for the last five years

Although specific information within this assessment will vary, engagement- or service-focused centers should typically address the following:

• Assessment of activities that connect to the engagement and/or service mission of the university (e.g., activities that promote demonstrable benefits to the state; number of clients who received services at a center)
• Assessment of strengths and opportunities for improvement of the center, focusing specifically on its ability to enhance engagement across the state and/or provide services to the campus or broader community
• Interrelationships with other units on campus, including other UM campuses.
• A summary of the budget, revenues, expenses and other financial information for the last five years.
• A summary of activities, if applicable, that connect to the other university missions (teaching, service, economic development)

Part II should include a summary of the center’s goals and plans for the next three to five years, including information about how those goals and plans further the campus’s strategic initiatives.

The first draft of the report is reviewed by the Office of the Provost. Typically, the center will be asked to submit a revised draft. Once approved, the review meeting is scheduled to include the center director, the dean of the school/college where the center is housed (if it is housed in an academic unit), the Provost, Associate Provost, and, in the case of a research center, the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. Concluding the process, the Office of the Provost will forward a formal report of the review, along with a decision to continue or discontinue, to the UM System Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will forward to the General Officers of the University.

Reports for centers in the 2022-2023 review cycle are due Jan. 31, 2023. 

Please submit your report to Alexandra Socarides, Associate Provost for Academic Programs.

If you need a copy of your last review, contact Jackie Beary, Senior Program/Project Support Coordinator.