Mission
The University Assessment Committee is charged with providing oversight and assistance
to both academic and non-instructional units in regards to all assessment-related
activities on campus. The committee is composed of faculty, administrators, and staff
that are knowledgeable about the fundamental importance of assessment and the types
of assessment processes that can facilitate appropriate decision-making to improve
student learning, both directly and indirectly. The committee also understands the
important role both instructional and non-instructional units have in improving student
learning for the constituents that the university serves and works towards engaging
all relevant campus entities in assessment activities towards that end. The University
Assessment Committee meets twice a month during the regular academic year and during
the summer when necessary and engages in the following activities:
- Develop and facilitate assessment-related workshops for all appropriate unit / department
representatives who are charged with overseeing assessment activities (e.g., assessment
coordinators for the majors; general education; and non-instructional units)
- Offers consultation to units and / or departments upon request. Consultation can involve
providing information on assessment processes, gathering assessment evidence, engaging
faculty and / or staff in assessment decision-making, etc.
- Facilitate an Assessment Coordinators meeting each semester for the purpose of disseminating
updated information regarding assessment planning / reporting guidelines, forms, submission
processes, timelines, etc.
- Review all submitted annual assessment reports to assist academic and non- instructional
units with improving reporting content as it relates to HLC student learning-related
criteria.
- Collect and aggregate annually, all assessment plans, reports, and other related documents
for the purpose of record keeping and providing documentation for future accrediting
visits.
- Participate in professional development activities, when applicable, that provide
current trends in assessment (e.g., NCA/HLC sponsored events), to assist university
constituents with assessment-related issues linked to improving student learning and
accreditation.
- Generate periodic assessment-related reports for university administrators and other
constituencies that provide an overview of the level of assessment activity and decision-
making, based on assessment results, that is taking place campus-wide.
The University Assessment Committee chair acts on behalf of the committee and is spokesperson
when attending administrative meetings (e.g., Provost Council and HLC Self Study Steering
Committee) and provides information and consults with the committee prior to policy
and/or programming decisions that impact the committee’s functions.