“Assessment is any effort to gather, analyze, and interpret evidence which describes institutional, divisional, or agency effectiveness.”Upcraft & Schuh, p18
As part of its mission to advance the existing culture of assessment, the Office of Assessment and Strategic Initiatives helps departments across the Division of Student Life collect and analyze data to enhance knowledge, guide practice, and inform decision-making.
OASI provides training and resources to help departments successfully navigate the following:
- develop student learning, program and operational outcomes that align with both the university and division strategic plans,
- assessment and evaluation of program effectiveness, including survey administration using Anthology’s Baseline solution,
- manage activity codes and key performance indicators,
- prepare and facilitate division and department program reviews, and
- coordinate department and division strategic planning.
Assessment Cycle
The assessment cycle’s duration, whether one or two years, is decided based on the specific needs of the area under evaluation. Every summer, OASI provides guidance to staff leaders, recommending the appropriate cycle length. This recommendation is made to ensure that sufficient data is collected to evaluate whether the desired outcomes have been achieved.
Activity Codes
Summer Deadlines
July 15 – Summer Activity Code uploads due to Student Activity Roster System
August 1 – All phase 1 assessment plans due
August 16th – Summer KPIs due to dslassessment
Fall Deadlines
November 15 – Fall Activity Code uploads due to Student Activity Roster System
January 4 – Fall KPIs due to dslassessment
Spring Deadlines
April 15 – Spring Activity Code uploads due to Student Activity Roster System
June 30 – Spring KPIs and phase 2 of assessment plans due and progress reports for biennial plans due