University Surveys & Assessments

Recurring Survey Schedule

Updated: 1/2024

Surveys	Dates	Population	Frequency
Advising Survey	March	Continuing undergraduate students	Spring
Course Evaluations	September & November(fall) March & April(spring)	Students enrolled in courses	Fall & spring
Campus Climate Survey-Faculty/Staff	March	Faculty and staff	Spring
Campus Climate Survey-Students	November	Current students	Fall
Graduating Senior & Careers Survey	October (fall) March (spring)	Graduating undergraduate students	Fall & spring
Graduate & Careers Survey	October (fall) March (spring)	Graduating graduate students	Fall & spring
Facilities Survey	*October	Faculty & students	Fall
Educational Testing Services (ETS)	November-December (fall) April-May (spring)	Graduating undergraduate students	Fall & spring
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)	March-May	Freshmen and senior students	Even years, spring
Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE)	June-July	Incoming freshmen students	Odd years, fall

Recurring Assessment Schedule

Updated: 1/2024

Assessments	Dates	Population	Frequency	Contact
Operational Plan and Assessment Report (OPAR)	August 30	Provost, Deans, Associate Deans (Social Work and Nursing), and Department Chairs	Annual * Taskstream Access*	Dr. Rollinda Thomas
Annual Assessment Process (AAP): The purpose of the Annual Assessment Process (AAP) for university leadership and academic support units is to identify goals and metrics that show progress toward meeting division and institutional goals. Student-centered units and offices will also submit Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs).	June-July	Associate Deans and Chairs	5-year cycle SharePoint Access	Dr. Nicole Lucas
Annual Faculty Evaluation	August	Faculty, Chairs, Associate Deans, Deans	Annual Departments and Colleges	Department Faculty and Chairs
Chairs, Deans, & Provost Surveys	April	Staff, Faculty, Chairs, Deans	Annual Departments and Colleges	Dr. Nicole Lucas
Program Review	June-July	Department Programs -Associate Deans and Chairs	5-year Review Cycle SharePoint Access	Dr. Alison Van Nyhuis

*Location of documents

Assessment Glossary

Terms	Definitions
Accreditation	A formal process in which external organizations evaluate and verify that an institution or program meets established standards of quality and effectiveness.
Assessment	The systematic process of collecting and analyzing data to evaluate an institution's effectiveness, performance, or outcomes in various areas
Assessment Cycle	The recurring process of planning, implementing, and evaluating assessment activities to improve educational programs continually
Assessment Report	Assessment Report: A document summarizing assessment findings, results, and recommendations, often used for institutional improvement and decision-making.
Benchmarking	The practice of comparing an institution's performance or outcomes to those of peer institutions or established standards to identify areas for improvement.
Benchmark Data	Data used as a point of reference for comparisons, often involving data from peer institutions or industry standards.
Criterion-Referenced Assessment	An assessment that measures an individual's performance against predetermined criteria or standards, focusing on what the individual knows or can do.
Data-driven Decision Making	The practice of using data and evidence to inform institutional decisions, policies, and practices.
Formative Assessment	An ongoing assessment conducted during a learning process to provide feedback and inform instructional decisions, helping students improve their performance.
Institutional Effectiveness	The extent to which an institution achieves its mission, goals, and objectives, typically measured through assessment and performance data.
Norm-Referenced Assessment	An assessment that compares an individual's performance to that of a norming group, allowing for ranking or comparison of performance relative to peers.
Outcomes Assessment	The evaluation of the achievement of specific learning objectives or outcomes, such as knowledge, skills, or competencies, by students or participants in educational programs.
Program Review	A comprehensive evaluation of an academic program or department to assess its goals, performance, and alignment with institutional objectives.
Qualitative Assessment	Assessment methods that gather non-numerical data, often through methods like interviews, focus groups, or open-ended surveys, to provide a deeper understanding of performance or experiences.
Quantitative Assessment	Assessment methods that rely on numerical data and statistical analysis to measure performance or outcomes, such as standardized tests or surveys with closed-ended questions.
Reliability	The consistency and stability of assessment results. Reliable assessments produce consistent results when administered repeatedly.
Rubric	A set of criteria or guidelines used to evaluate the quality of student work, faculty performance, or program outcomes. Rubrics provide a standardized way to assess and score performance.
Strategic Planning	The process of setting long-term goals and objectives for an institution and developing strategies to achieve them.
Summative Assessment	An assessment conducted at the end of an educational program or a specific course to measure what students have learned or achieved.
Validity	The extent to which an assessment instrument accurately measures what it is intended to measure. Valid assessments are reliable and aligned with the intended learning outcomes.