The Assessment Council is responsible for: 

·        Developing, implementing and monitoring ongoing assessment plans for academic and co-curricular programs 

·        Developing and implementing measures to monitor and assess the quality of academic and support services provided to students and the community 

  

Assessment of academic areas is focused on assuring that academic programs evaluate their ability to meet their stated student learning outcomes.  Data are collected continuously to provide timely information.  This information guides us to continue the successful methods and improve those that are less successful. 

  

Ultimate responsibility and authority for all assessment efforts at the College of Saint Mary rests with the Council on Institutional Effectiveness (CIE), which is a college-wide council led by the President. The CIE is kept apprised of assessment efforts through periodic reports from the Vice President of Academic Affairs, who is a standing member of CIE. 

 

Council members are selected based upon their assessment expertise, knowledge of accreditation issues, and/or analytical approach to problems. Each academic division is represented by at least one faculty member.  The Director of Institutional Research and the Vice President of Student Development are also members of the Council. 

 

The flow of the assessment cycle is illustrated on the linked chart. 

 

Timeline for Assessment Process at CSM for 2008-2009 

  

September 29	Assessment kickoff by VPAA at meeting of Faculty Assembly
October - November	Thinking Through Lunch Faculty Development Series on Assessment
December 1	Assessment reports due to division chairs
February 1	Division chairs return assessment reports with their feedback to the Assessment Council
March 16	Assessment Council and VPAA meet to discuss the process and provide feedback to academic programs
May 1	VPAA provides feedback to assessment report authors
May (date to be determined)	Celebrate successful completion of the assessment cycle!