Overview of Assessment and Programmatic Change

Chaplain's Office

Over the course of the last ten years, in response to both formal and informal types of assessment, a number of significant changes have occurred which have improved the services provided by the chaplain's office. The following list summarizes some of the significant changes in the 1990-2000 period.

• 1990-1991. In response to feedback from the student body, the Chapel Committee was changed from a committee of elected students to a committee with open membership. As a result of the change 30 to 40 students now attend meetings throughout the year, and advice and feedback from this group is now more representative of the entire student body.

• 1990-1991. In response to feedback from the Sweet Briar Community, a Chapter of Amnesty International was established, and a group of students, faculty, and staff began meeting to discuss issues of diversity in higher education.

 

• 1993-1994 In response to feedback from students, a room in the Chapel was set aside as a prayer room for the use of students.

• 1994-1995. In response to feedback from the Chapel Committee, students were asked to help redesign monthly Sunday evening worship, using locations other than the Chapel and formats of their choice.

• 1997-1998. In response to feedback from students and staff, the Baccalaureate service was changed from inviting ministers from outside to perform the service to having the senior class plan, and perform the service.

• 1998 –1999. In response to a survey of the entire student body, the Chaplain's Office began sponsoring community service projects on campus. (See 1998-1999 Survey in Chaplain's Office)

• 1998-1999. In response to a survey of the entire student body, the morning prayer sessions were changed to a more contemporary format where students volunteer to chose a reading, tell why they chose that particular reading and lead the prayer. (See 1998-1999 Survey in Chaplain's Office)

• 1998-1999. After examining the attendance numbers for chapel and other activities sponsored by the Chaplain's Office, a full-time student intern was added to the staff. The student intern has been able to make better connections with the student population which in turn has increased the number of students attending events and resulted in other venues such as the "Crusade for Christ" group that meets every Friday evening.