Overview of Assessment and Programmatic Change
Over the past 10 years, the Division of Co-Curricular Life has experienced several significant changes due largely in part to the results of several in-house surveys used as assessment tools. (See "Survey" notebook in Office of Co-Curricular Life). These changes are documented more specifically in the appropriate departmental overview documents. However several changes do not rest with any specific department but rather is a shared area of change by the entire Co-CurricularLife Division. These significant changes are listed as follows:
1) Major Change/Date: Program Assessment and Evaluation, February 12, 1998. During a Director’s Meeting, it was decided that the assessment of programs would change to be inclusive of the following:
Programs would be comprehensive. They would reflect and promote the diversity of student interests and needs, allowing especially for the achievement by students of a sense of self-worth and pride. Programs should strive to be:
-Intentional
-Coherent
-Based on theories and knowledge of learning and human development
-Reflective of demographic profiles of the student population
-Responsive of special needs of individuals
The format for assessment and evaluation would shift:
Program – theoretically based in terms of desired student learning and human development reflecting the surveyed needs of students; fit with Strategic Plan; reflects the area’s budgetary restrictions and/or availability.
Rationale for Change: Based on a Senior Staff Discussion on November 11, 1997, there existed a need to examine the possibility of utilizing the standards and guidelines of Council for Advancement of Standards for Student Services. The CAS standards and guidelines were thought to be an excellent model used for assessment of student services programs. During the time of this discussion, all departments had a mission statement with annual goals, but the goals were not all written in measurable terms. The CAS standards would serve as a guide for designing short- and long-term goals with a plan for assessment. This would be inclusive of a move more towards a programs- vs. activities-driven concept within Co-Curricular Life.
Name/Location of Supporting Documentation: Memo from Susan Iverson to Betsy Muhlenfeld dated December 18, 1997 regarding "Assessment of Co-Curricular Life" and Directors Meeting Minutes dated February 12, 1998. Located in Assessment Notebook for Co-Curricular Life.
2) Major Change/Date: Development of Divisional Motto and Departmental Tags, fall, 1988.
Rationale for Change: With the leadership of a new Dean, the Co-Curricular Life team determined a need to begin the process of restructuring the division to meet the needs of a changing student body and their educational institution that is on the brink of entering the new millennium. The retreat provided opportunity for the staff to "group think." One of the most significant outcomes of the retreat and workshop was the adoption of a motto for the Division of Co-Curricular Life: "Co-Curricular Life Empowers Women to Lead Moral, Healthy, and Productive Lives" and "Tag Lines" for each Department within the Division:
Name/Location: Document titled "Co-Curricular Life Empowers Women To Lead Moral, Healthy, And Productive Lives", written 8/98, located in the Assessment Notebook for Co-Curricular Life.
3) Major Change/Date: SGA Re-Structuring/New SGA Budget Process
Rationale for Change: Upon the review of the Dean of Co-Curricular Life and SGA officials, the need to restructure SGA to maximize efficiency in functionality was realized. As a result, in the spring of 1998, the decision was made to adopt a new hazing policy, initiate Inter-Club, and to restructure SGA officers and the Executive Committee. Additionally, due to spending patterns that caused concern and to prevent over-spending, SGA devised a new budget process whereby each SGA organization eligible for SGA funding would submit a budget, and a review of the proposed budget would take place. Once the approval is made, SGA would maintain the funds in its possession and assign an account number. SGA will release funds to an eligible organization when requested by an authorized student. SGA will also maintain budgeting information. This process would eliminate the need for each organization to create its own banking account and will minimize concerns of overspending.
Name/Location: Document titled "Co-Curricular Life Empowers Women To Lead Moral, Healthy, And Productive Lives", written 8/98, located in the Assessment Notebook for Co-Curricular Life, 2001 SBC Student Handbook, and SGA Meeting Minutes, Spring, 1998.
4) Major Change/Date: Development of First-Year Experience Programming
Rationale for Change: There existed a need to create a network of support for first-year students to bridge the gap between the high school graduate and the successful first-year student. This effort would also help with retention numbers as well.
The First-Year Experience Program would include the following Programs:
Name/Location: Residence Life & Housing "Priorities for ‘97-98" section, August 1997; First-Year Experience Program Notebook in the Assistant to the Dean’s Curricular Life office.