Minutes

Members present: Marion Askegaard, Marilyn Guy, Betty Jean Larson, Jasi O’Connor, Kay Schneider, Michael D. Wohlfeil, Haimeng Zhang

Meeting location: Future meetings will be held in Jones 323

Kay gave a brief report on the unofficial enrollment numbers:

2814 total enrollment; 2856 in 2003-04
754 new students; 805 in 2003-04
78% retention first to second year; 177 first year students in 03-04 did not return this fall

Membership: One additional faculty member will be elected; 2 student representatives will be appointed by Student Association. Carol Pratt is the SCC liaison

Kay reported assessment activities to date, including a handout of Major Assessment/Institutional Research Activities Completed 2003-04 and those planned for 2004-05.

This fall 726 students completed the Critical Thinking Exam
The CIRP/Spirituality survey was administered to first year students
Several potential assessment areas were identified that are not currently assigned to a coordinator, including:

i. Assessing the orientation club/class connection

ii. Assessing the Adopt-a-Cobber program

Mike discussed the Higher Learning Commission expectations and progress report. Concordia will be required to submit a Progress Report on Assessment by February 1, 2006. This report will be started Fall 2005.

Assessment Committee goals and charges

· Discussed ways to encourage departments in their assessment efforts, especially those that are not making adequate progress. One idea was to report to the Dean’s office departments that are not making adequate progress, so that follow-up may be made.

· Committee will read and respond to departmental assessment reports. Departmental reports on the Assessment of Student Learning are due by Sept. 30, 2004. Reports were distributed for Sociology and English. Please read reports and comment for our next meeting. Kay distributed last year’s recommendations for departments to assist with this review.

· Kay distributed a schedule and ideas were discussed for the monthly assessment workshops. Kay shared ideas that came up from the summer workshop. Ideas generated by the assessment committee include:

o How to interpret quantitative and qualitative data, led by someone proficient in statistics and data analysis

o “Assessment 101” for those who may just be starting their assessment efforts. Brief discussion on how to encourage attendance by those who may need this session. Marilyn will pose the question to the Division Chairs for suggestion

o Use of assessment data (implementation)

· Mike will send a letter to department chairs to confirm the identity of the departmental assessment coordinators

· Discussed role of assessment in the promotion, tenure, and evaluation process. Discussed exploring ways to credit faculty who spend significant time on departmental assessment or who serve as assessment coordinators. Kay will continue to explore models of how assessment might be included in the promotion, tenure, and evaluation process

Discussed mini-grant proposal from German Department. Requested funds to have a faculty member trained in conducing Oral Proficiency Interviews, which are required for students to pass for teacher licensure. German dept. chair is exploring the possibility of bringing a trainer to campus as an alternative that would allow more language faculty to participate. Kay will report back any additional information she receives.

Next meeting will be held Sept. 30, 2004

Meeting adjourned at 9:31.

Minutes recorded by Jasi O’Connor