Instituional Research & Assessment

An electronic publication for communication to the campus community about assessment and institutional effectiveness, the Newsletter is published by the Provost's Office.

What is the Need for Assessment?

Assessment can benefit both the institution and its employees. When done properly and systematically, assessment can tell us how well we are meeting the mission of the University. But more importantly, it will help the University tell others the value of attending college and how well higher education is doing. There is also another reason for assessment. Two accreditation reviews have cited the University's lack of "a systematic and disciplined effort to conform with the Commission's [Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Colleges] standards on educational assessment. It is [urged that SUU] initiate and sustain a university-wide assessment effort." Calls for greater accountability in higher education, both within the accrediting region and in Utah, drive the need for a regular program of assessment.

What is Institutional Assessment?

Think of institutional assessment as a way to measure the health of the University. When you go to the doctor for a physical, you expect more than a look at your throat. The doctor takes a variety of measures to assess how your body is functioning, with more attention paid to vital areas. It is the same with institutional assessment. The focus is on a core value of the institution--learning--and how well that is taking place at a variety of locations using a variety of measures. Stated more formally, institutional assessment involves the systematic collection of data and other information that is used to determine if educational goals are being met. The focus is on the institution as a whole as well as on the departments that make up the institution. The process involves first, gaining clarity about goals, then deciding what information would be useful in judging whether goals are being met. The third part of the process involves taking the information and concluding what, if anything, needs to be done as a result. [Courtesy of Boise State University.]

Where is SUU in the Assessment Process?

Within the Provost's office, the associate provost has been assigned the duties of assessment and institutional effectiveness, and institutional research. Dr. Mike Richards has been named to this position, effective July 1, and as he gets the program underway, it will be in coordination with the academic deans and departments, and with those campus offices directly involved with the student experience on campus. The assessment program will unfold on the web. The assessment plan, institutional data, and other kinds of information related to SUU's assessment program will be posted regularly for campus access and worldwide inquiry. As items are posted, there will be a standing invitation to the members of the University community to comment and respond. Another role of the associate provost will be to work with departments, at first on a pilot basis with two departments, to help them in assessing student learning and other goals. Departments undergoing program reviews may find this assistance particularly helpful. Further, there are institutional objectives in this service, since the University is planning to "map" the curriculum to departmental, college, and university goals.

What are the First Steps?

Initiating a assessment program will take time, but here's a start for the first year:

Along with these goals, the "traditional stuff" will still be prepared: the annual fact book will continue, but will become an electronic document; the Common Data Set, a compilation of statistical information for national guidebooks, will continue, but will become web-based; and responses to internal and national surveys will still be sought.