Programs can provide additional data or substitutions provided that their data can be verified. These data should be examined in advance of programs writing the narrative. Do not penalize programs in the evaluation process if their respective disciplines lack external benchmarks. Additionally, narratives should include information about specific constraints that apply to the program such as the lack of funding opportunities or substantial loss of resources. Review the narrative and numerical data for clarity, completeness, and accuracy.
Programs can modify their narratives accordingly and resubmit.
Both disciplines and specialty areas within disciplines vary with respect to the value placed on certain scholarly activities and recognition by peers. To the extent possible, differences between disciplines and within specialty areas should be taken into account when summarizing numerical data by weighing scholarly productivity. Program faculty need to have the opportunity to provide information relative to their disciplines and specialty areas, as well as to make recommendations about the process for summarizing these data. In addition, narratives should specify the program's contribution to other campus units and interdisciplinary programs, as well as service to the profession, the University as a whole, and local, state, regional, national, and international communities. This data collection process should be ongoing.