University Assessment Council

Description and Charge

The University Assessment Council (UAC) is a community of faculty, staff, and administrators who provide input and direction for campus-wide institutional effectiveness initiatives and leadership for continuous improvement efforts within academic departments and units. The UAC was formed by the Provost’s Office in 2010 and continues to play an integral role in promoting a culture of assessment. The UAC charge consists of:

Communication:

Disseminate information regarding program-level student learning outcomes (PSLOs) assessment, academic department periodic review (ADPR), and SACSCOC accreditation including related university policies, procedures, initiatives, and resources

Consultation:

Serve as a resource for faculty, staff, and administrators in the colleges by providing information and feedback, as needed, in areas such as:
- Annual PSLO assessment process, plans, and reports
- ADPR process, self-studies, and implementation plans
Provide input and feedback to the Provost’s Office on new, existing, and proposed changes to processes, policies, initiatives, and resources for PSLO assessment, ADPRs, and SACSCOC accreditation efforts

Procedure and Process Improvement:

Review, revise, and develop new procedures, processes, and resources pertaining to PSLO assessment and ADPRs, when needed and in partnership with the Provost’s Office

UAC Member Role Description

Desired Characteristics and Competencies:

Value and commitment to assessment and continuous improvement
Ability to interpret and communicate policies and procedures pertaining to accreditation standards, assessment, and continuous improvement
Ability to influence others through formal and/or informal relationships in order to successfully promote college participation in assessment and other improvement efforts

Foundational understanding, or willingness to develop understanding, of assessment theory, principles, and practice

Expectations for University Assessment Council (UAC) members include:

Attendance at regularly scheduled UAC meetings or, when needed, identify an appropriate proxy from own academic unit to attend
Serve as an active liaison between OSPIE and own academic unit (including the Dean’s Office)
Regarding new, proposed, and existing policies, procedures, initiatives, and resources pertaining to assessment and SACSCOC accreditation:
- Communicate pertinent information to faculty, staff, and administrators in academic unit
- Provide feedback to OSPIE on successes and challenges within unit
- Volunteer for UAC task forces and working groups, as time and expertise permit, to provide input, direction, and shape new policies, resources, etc.
Assist with verification of OSPIE records regarding academic unit’s:
- Academic degree and certificate program inventory
- Point of contact for each academic program and department
- Academic department periodic review (ADPR) schedule
- Program-level student learning outcomes (PSLOs) assessment cycle for each academic program
Facilitate on-boarding of incoming UAC representative from academic unit, where feasible, when concluding membership