PCAS (Program Cost Analysis Sytem) ================================== BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOOL ------------------------- The Prograrn Cost Analysis System provides users with cost information for courses based on actual residential faculty salary and benefit costs, computed part-time faculty costs, and a variety of support and overhead cost factors. IMPORTANT FEATURES OF TOOL -------------------------- Costs are available by department and by class sections. Overhead costs are prorated by FTSE and are spread across the classes, the departrnents, or the institution depending on the way in which the account codes are set up for that institution. An estimated total cost per FTSE for each class, the average total cost per FTSE for a department, and an institution-wide average cost per FTSE are available. Cost data can be downloaded into spreadsheets such as Excel or Lotus so that historical trends can be analyzed as data for sevelal terms is accumulated. WHO WOULD USE THIS TOOL? ------------------------ This system would be used by Deans and Department Chairs to monitor cost trends of offering courses in their institutions. HOW DOES THE TOOL SUPPORT EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING? ---------------------------------------------------------- In times of constrained financial resources, this tool allows administrators to monitor costs and considerable changes in planned schedules to optimize course offerings to meet student needs. It will assist administrators in the allocation of resources to support instruction. CONTACT PERSONS --------------- John Gray, DIST/ITS 731-8842 Jason Pociask, DIST/ITS 731-8835