2011 Performance Review

Comments from faculty and staff for 2011 performance review at Thompson Rivers University


  1. 1.Please comment on the strengths of Mike Looney in his role as Open Learning Arts Coordinator.


  1. •In my experience, working with Michael Looney is a pleasure. He is knowledgeable, articulate and co-operative.


  1. •Michael Looney has been great to work with as he has always been helpful in addressing issues and providing information on potential links with OL.


  1. •When I was a Chair, I worked with Mr. Looney and found him to have excellent liaison skills. He was very reasonable in his role, which is critical in bridging the concerns of OL with the on campus program. I also found him to have excellent problem solving skills.


  1. •Mike has an exceptional knowledge base. He serves as a willing mentor to others. He is absolute in his commitment to students and quality programs and courses.


  1. •As a new member to the Program Advising team I have found Mike to be extremely helpful in my learning of the role. He is extremely accessible and open to discussion on Arts programs and requirements. Mike responds immediately on time sensitive issues.


  1. •Mike is a passionate advocate for Open Learning both from a organizational and student perspective. He focuses on quality, by ensuring that academic standards are followed, as trying to ensure internal processes are in place to support learner success.


  1. •Mike's knowledge of Open Learning and its courses is extensive. He brings a history with OL and knowledge about the evolution of courses and programs that is very valuable to the current organization. He understands the course development process and is able to see the future implications of present actions and provide sound advice.


  1. •Mike is a very conscientious team member. When asked to provide support for my work, Mike has always been very responsive and thorough. This is important as some of the files have been very involved. Mike has also consistently demonstrated a willingness to work with a wide range of people/personalities both within TRU and among partners.



  1. 2.Please comment on areas for improvement for Mike Looney in role of Open Learning Arts Coordinator.


  1. •I don't know enough about how Open Learning works to comment, but in my dealings with Mr. Looney, I have always come away with a clear understanding of his position and meaning. Thus, I would say in response to this question that he should simply keep on performing as he has in previous years.


  1. •As much as I would like to offer some constructive feedback here, I cannot think of any specifics. It may be due to my lack of experience in this role but I cannot think of an area of improvement as I find Mike a pleasure to work with.


  1. •Mike needs some stability in his portfolio. The lack of an Academic Director has left a great deal of responsibility (and little support) in his day-to-day duties. I don't think Mike has received sufficient support from either TRU-OL or TRU-campus.


  1. •There are times when Mike can get overwhelmed with files and needs additional resources to assist him.


  1. 3.Please provide any other comments that you would like to share with the Open Learning Coordinator for Arts Performance Review Committee.

  2. •I find Michael to be a warm, compassionate, and easily approachable colleague, someone who, because of these natural strengths, makes a great unofficial ambassador for TRU Open Learning.

  3. •My interactions with Michael have been uniformly positive. He seems a strong asset to Open Learning, and to the University as a whole.

  4. •Mike is a valuable member of the OL division, and is always willing to share his expertise and perspective.

  5. •I have personally enjoyed working with Mike and found him to be very collegial and respectful. He values academic oversight and considers the students' interests and perspective in decision-making.

  6. •Mike continues to demonstrate professionalism in light of scarce resources. I have always relied on Mike to push projects through and have no reason to suspect that he was ever unable or unwilling to do his job.

  7. •Mike is very courteous to all advisors and will go the extra mile for students who have unusual requests or assessments. He will engage directly with the student to develop the best option for their education.