Co-Curricular and Student Support Assessment

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Co-Curricular and Student Support Assessment

Co-Curricular and Student Support Assessment

Requirements and Expectations

The University recognizes that learning often occurs outside the classroom in an athletic or co-curricular experience or by engaging with student support operations, such as the Learning Commons and the Center for Student Success. Therefore, co-curricular and student support units are required to identify student learning goals that are assessed on a regular basis. These departments include Athletics, the Center for Student Success, the Center for Career Readiness, the Office of Student Living and University Engagement, the Health and Wellness Center, Student Conduct and Community Standards, Learning Services, Opportunity Programs (HEOP and C-STEP), International Education, the Library and Learning Commons (tutoring), TRiO, and Undergraduate Admissions.

Annual Assessment Report and 5-Year Program Review

The annual assessment report from each co-curricular and student support operation is due on June 30 of each year. This report should provide evidence of how well students are achieving the departments' learning goals and the extent to which the departments are meeting their operational goals.

Annual reports are reviewed by the Co-Curricular Assessment Committee, using a rubric that aligns with institutional requirements and describes the criteria for effective assessment. An online course, "Assessment in Co-Curricular and Student Support Operations" (sites.google.com/utica.edu/uticacoca/home), provides detailed information about requirements, expectations, and effective assessment practices. The Resource Guide for Assessment Plans and Annual Reports is another excellent resource that outlines quality assessment practices.

Departments are further expected to participate in a 5-year program review that includes a self-study, an internal review, and a quality improvement plan. The program review provides each department with an opportunity to reflect on the services it offers, the challenges it faces, the strengths it demonstrates, and the aspirational plans it has for the future. The program review schedule has been established by the Institutional Effectiveness Committee.

Specific expectations may be found in the Guide to Annual Assessment and Program Review: Co-Curricular and Non-Academic Departments.

Co-Curricular Assessment Committee

Responsibility and Authority

The Co-Curricular Assessment Committee (Co-CA) is responsible for guiding and reviewing department-level assessment processes in the co-curricular units and student support operations. This committee is also responsible for measuring the institution’s compliance with relevant criteria related to MSCHE accreditation Standards IV and V.

The committee's specific responsibilities are as follows:

1. To review and provide feedback on departmental assessment plans and annual goal reports;
2. To review and provide feedback on 5-year program reviews from co-curricular departments;
3. To assess the assessment processes in the co-curricular areas and provide a status report to the Institutional Effectiveness Committee;
4. To recommend or coordinate professional development opportunities in assessment practices for co-curricular departments.

The Co-CA has the authority to track departmental compliance with institutional requirements and accreditation standards and report instances of non-compliance to the appropriate vice president.

Membership

The membership of the Co-Curricular Assessment Committee consists of four representatives from co-curricular and student support operations, including Athletics, and the Senior Associate Provost, who serves as chair.

The Dean of Students serves as an Ex Officio member.

Members are appointed by their supervisors to serve on the committee. Each member serves a two-year term with no term limits. All Co-CA members are voting members.

2023-2024 Members
Ann Damiano (Chair)
Marissa Hall
Susan Johnston
Kailea Murray
Kristin St. Hilaire

Record and Record Retention

The committee's agendas, minutes, and annual reports are stored in the committee's shared Google drive. Assessment reports, program reviews, scored rubrics, and other documents related to departmental assessment are stored in the shared file marked "Co-Curricular and Student Support Assessment."

Assessment documents are permanent records of the Utica University and will be retained accordingly. Committee-related materials will be kept for a full accreditation cycle up to ten years.

Co-Curricular Assessment Committee Handbook