February 19, 2009

Dr. Charlene Herreid
Director, Planning, Evaluation and Assessment
ADM 151

Dear Charlene:

I would like to thank each of you for your untiring commitment to planning and assessment for the Division of Student Affairs. Your work has already made a significant impact on the strategic, intentional and measurable approach we will take as we advance toward the future. The role of the Planning and Assessment Team (PAT) becomes increasingly critical due to the economic climate we face daily. With that in mind, I provide the attached charge to the newly combined Planning and Assessment Team for the 2008-09 Academic Year.

Student Affairs Planning and Assessment Team
Updated February, 2009

CHARGE:

The Student Affairs Planning and Assessment Team (PAT) will develop, review and revise the Divisional Strategic and Long Range Plans and recommend approval to the Divisional Executive Team. In addition, the team will develop, review and revise a credible, yet manageable assessment plan/program of student learning outcomes, student affairs/services, and administrative arms of the Division. The team will provide advisory support for the division to meet requirements of university accrediting agencies and other needs for divisional planning and assessment data as they arise.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

In support of divisional planning efforts, the Committee will:

1. Develop an integrated planning process across the Division;
2. Gather internal and external information needed for planning and decision making;
3. Provide a variety of forums for the discussion and consideration of planning issues;
4. Clarify priorities for allocation, reallocation, and acquisition of financial, human and institutional resources;
5. Annually synthesize any new planning objectives and/or initiatives proposed by the various University constituent groups and configure them into proposals to be addressed through appropriate budget planning processes; and
6. Provide advice to the E-team as appropriate or requested.

In support of divisional assessment efforts, the Committee will:

1. Implement a Student Learning Outcomes Program including a delivery of outcomes design;
2. Develop evaluation methods with criteria for each outcome showing;
   1. Implementation of Assessment Process,
   2. Timeline for full implementation
3. Develop the Divisional Performance Matrix;
4. Direct the development and review of annual assessment plan, including the following;
   1. Serve as a resource for assessment and implementation,
   2. Coordinate assistance for analysis of assessment data,
   3. Advocate for the use of assessment data in strategic planning at the unit and division levels,
   4. Communicate assessment results and uses of assessment data,
   5. Analyze aggregated assessment plans and results for division-wide trends and gaps
5. Make recommendations to improve student learning and development based on assessment results;
6. Function as a learning community that provides reinforcement, support and division-wide professional development opportunities for assessment efforts;
7. Establish a standard format for unit level assessment annual reports that will be integrated into a Division of Student Affairs assessment report; and
8. Investigate future assessment collaborations across campus.

MEMBERSHIP:

 PAT membership comprises eleven (11) staff members and two (2) student volunteers from across the division, serving a minimum of a one-year term during the academic year.

 STANDING SUB-COMMITTEES AND WORK GROUPS:

 PAT may appoint ad hoc sub-committees and work groups to address particular issues. All such sub-committees and work groups shall report their recommendations to the full membership of PAT. All such sub-committees and work groups may call upon administrative staff support.

 APPOINTMENT:

 The Vice President for Student Affairs will appoint team members.

CHAIR:

The Planning and Assessment Team is chaired by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Director of Student Affairs Planning, Evaluation and Assessment provides administrative oversight and support.

Sincerely,

Jennifer C. Meningall, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs