1. Western Carolina University Office of Assessment A Division of the Office of the Provost

2. Mission Statement The Office of Assessment at Western Carolina University serves to promote excellence in student learning, educational practices and quality of service by establishing and maintaining a campus culture of self evaluation and improvement at all levels of the institution. The office provides leadership and support to the campus community in efforts to demonstrate that the University is fulfilling its institutional mission and to enhance Western Carolina University as a community of scholarship.

3. Function #1 Coordinate and support an ongoing, systematic program of institutional evaluation and assessment of student achievement, and facilitate the incorporation of the findings into the planning and accreditation processes;

4. Function #2 Work with academic and administrative programs to develop and implement outcomes-based assessment plans in order to improve programs and services at all institutional levels;

5. Function #3 Engage the campus community in a dialogue about assessment through a variety of avenues, including workshops, presentations, newsletters, development and maintenance of an assessment website, and service on campus committees; and

6. Function #4 Publish assessment research and maintain an active role in professional organizations.

7. Administrative Structure Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Director of Assessment Administrative Assistant Planning & Assessment Analyst (University Planning)

8. Goals for 2006-07 Support the SACS reaffirmation process Support all academic and administrative units in developing meaningful and manageable assessment plans Clarify the role(s) and function(s) of the Office of Assessment to the campus community Develop a model for communicating campus assessment efforts and key assessment results

9. Gen’l Thoughts on Assessment #1: I assume that all faculty and staff desire to provide the best possible education and services to our students; thus, I presume that you have some processes in place (either formal or informal) to make informed decisions about your program. It is my goal to work with you to find the most manageable and effective way to document those processes.

10. Gen’l Thoughts on Assessment #2: An effective process of assessment must be sensitive to and reflective of institutional values and resources. Ultimately, a manageable and effective assessment process must achieve a balance among several key factors including internal and external mandates, cost, and faculty/staff time and effort.

11. Gen’l Thoughts on Assessment #3 Meaningful assessment is not a bureaucratic burden. If we engage in assessment ‘just’ to satisfy SACS or any other internal or external mandate, then we are wasting our collective time. We should engage in this process because it is the right thing to do and provides us with the tools to make informed decisions to improve our programs and services.

12. Gen’l Thoughts on Assessment #4: It is oft stated that education is the one product for which the consumer does not wish to receive his/her money’s worth. I believe that this statement reflects a situation in which the primary stakeholder in the education process (i.e., the student) is not empowered to take charge of their learning process. A comprehensive process of learning outcomes assessment CAN affect change in this attitude.