ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
September 6, 2001
Present: Henriques (Science Education; Chair), Caveness (Student Services), Chan (Ed. Psych. & Counseling) , Lacourse (KPE), Mulvaney (Testing & Eval.) , Novack (I.R.), Nummedal (Assessment Coordinator), Parentela (Civil Engr.), St. Germain (Graduate Council) , Reichard (Academic Affairs), Robinson (A.S.I.), Santhiveeran (Social Work), Whitney (Psych.)
Approval of Minutes for June 2001 — There were no minutes.
Agenda — The agenda of the day was approved.
Announcements:
There were plaudits to Michelle St. Germain for her past work as Assessment Coordinator and to Michael LaCourse for serving as the past chair of the Assessment Committee.
Whitney suggested that the role of secretary rotate alphabetically. Caveness volunteered to take minutes for this meeting.
Susan announced three assessment-related events: (1) a Chancellor’s office invitation for campus proposals for involvement in a Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Clearing House; (2) a November 9th meeting of CSU Assessment Coordinators at CSU Northridge which is open to broader representation than just coordinators; (3) a WASC assessment meeting April 9-12, 2002.
White Paper #1
The paper was sent to Deans by the Provost. The College of Health & Human Services has this item on the Dean’s retreat agenda. Last semester, St. Germain sent the paper out along with the call for proposals to departments. Henriques will talk to the Academic Senate Chair about the status of the paper. The committee recommended wider distribution on paper for this fall semester.
Committee Goals for 2001-2002
There was discussion on creating a second white paper on assessment. Reichard recommended that it should address the largest issues of assessment, not just learning outcomes. What do we need to know? What information do we need to gather to answer the question?
St. Germain noted that assessment is very decentralized on campus and not necessarily producing the best results to be received by the widest number of people. Perhaps surveying could be better coordinated in order to prevent possible duplication of efforts.
Novack — Most divisions/departments gather information on students that pertain solely how those units touch students. He and Mulvaney have talked about initiating a mini-SNAPS to gain more information on student satisfaction. More interpretation and context for results of the last SNAPS was needed. Institution Research will be participating in an Orange County/Long Beach consortium to share certain student information among institutions.
Robinson — By the time data from surveys are compiled, students are lost. Perhaps surveys are not reaching the students who are having problems. He and ASI President Stickney-Smith are organizing town hall meetings with President Maxson and Provost Anatol. Robinson encouraged Assessment Committee members to attend in order to gain information from students that may supplement various survey results.
Santhiveeran — What changes are being implemented based on data from assessments? We need to communicate what we have done. Sometimes there is duplicate information being collected by different departments.
Nummedal — Reviewed the G.E. Next Steps draft. Henriques suggested that future assessment monies be allocated on assessment for G.E. reform, including an assessment of students’ skills in foundational courses.
Some new committee members asked what the committee did last year. Lacourse responded: making grants (travel and assessment), assessment retreats (originally general then moving to college-based events), responding to requests for input from various campus committees.
Reichard — We have not been able to "get our arms around" our charge, example item #2.
St, Germain — We should publicize what the committee has done (bookmarks with website), then consider new directions.
Nummedal — Members could discuss how they serve as liaisons to their colleges, divisions, etc.
Caveness — Assessment has come up high on the agenda for Student Services. The white paper needs to be discussed at the managers’ level; including the Assessment Coordinator in this meeting would be helpful.
Mulvaney — Student Services will be providing training on how to conduct assessment for managers.
Parentela — We should start with the University mission and determine what should be a focus; get an inventory of assessments being done by various colleges and departments, then identify programs on which to focus committee resources.
St. Germain — The past Coordinator offered to provide copies of an inventory of campus assessment activities.
Chan — How are results reported by departments? St. Germain responded: final reports from assessment award recipients, program reviews, WASC.
Santhiveeran — What are the assessment struggles taking place in departments?
Novack — Provided an overview of Institutional Research’s activities: assisting with program reviews; reviewing various evaluation forms upon request from faculty; student evaluations of faculty teaching.
Nummedal - Asked for brainstorming on assessment needs at the college/division discussions on assessment. Extended invitation on behalf of the College of Health and Human Services Dean to invite up to three committee members to attend the Dean’s retreat,
Robinson — Stated his opinion that negative professor evaluations are not addressed. St. Germain explained the steps that she takes as department chair to follow up on such evaluations.
Henriques — Recommended that everyone review the committee’s original charge so that goals can be discussed at the next meeting.
Coordinator-s Report — Postponed to next meeting.
Budget — Postponed to next meeting.
Other Business — The new Assessment Coordinator office is Library 526, ext. 59315. Also note that there is not an October 15th meeting; the second meeting in October will be October 25th.
Jeane Relleve Caveness
Note: These minutes have been approved.