The Willingness to Improve

Institutional effectiveness can be enhanced through the application of evaluation and

assessment techniques by leaders at all levels. NSSE and the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction

Inventory, two nationally acclaimed surveys, are now being used by the university to monitor

student satisfaction and administrative and academic performance (Noel-Levitz). There have

been NSSE and Noel-Levitz surveys for several years now. To identify and address co-

curricular concerns and administrative support functions that need attention, the results of

these surveys have been utilised. Alumni and employer surveys and a reputation survey are

also done on a regular basis. The results of these polls are used to assess the institution's

performance in specific areas of interest.

There are now two new jobs in place to help with data collection and storage, as well as data

analysis, so that the institution may make operational improvements and better allocate

resources as necessary. In the first place, an Institutional Researcher was appointed, who

works under the direction of the Provost. The Institutional Research Officer is currently

responsible for updating the CLU Fact Book, which was first published in 1998-99. The

Assistant Provost for Assessment is the second job on the list. Individual in charge of

devising, executing, and summarizing the university's evaluation system and activities. This

person is tasked with Accreditation and evaluation challenges and needs at CLU are also

examined and addressed by the Assistant Provost in conjunction with the Associate Provost

of Accreditation, Institutional Researcher, the Registrar of CLU.

For example, Hardwick Day, a consulting firm that assists in establishing enrollment and

financial aid policies, Gonser, Gerber, Tinker, an organization that assists the institution in

improving its fundraising capabilities, and Stamats, an organization currently involved in our

current branding initiative are some examples of institutions that have determined that they

do not have sufficient expertise and have engaged consultants to collect and analyze data in

order to improve operations.

Academic planning has also taken into account the results of evaluation activities. For

example, the NSSE results from 2001 and 2002 showed that the University needed a lower

degree of difficulty and engagement, therefore the two issues became the focus of faculty

retreats, faculty development activities, and this WASC evaluation. Data from surveys of

alumni, the NCATE and other accreditation assessments, and the present study of the

freshman experience all contribute to our efforts toward providing quality programs and

activities for our students.