Tom,
Your view from an accrediting agency standpoint is most welcome, especially since it is one not very common in this forum. So that we may have a better understanding of how to improve our schools, (and to spur a discussion) what are some of the best practices that you have encountered that fostered cross- departmental interaction? Can you name a few specifics?
Your point regarding evaluating the need for certain graduates is interesting. How do you propose that an institution do that? Feasibility studies are done before a program is instituted based on a showing of demand. How would an institution continue to check if there is an ongoing need, especially if it requires forecasting employment needs 9 or 12 months later (which is the length of many programs)?
Sheri Leach