NIU’s University Assessment Panel discussed reports from a few departments and approved funding for evaluators last Friday.

The Office of Campus Recreation submitted a request asking for about $6,000 for two external evaluators. The request was approved unanimously after some discussion.

“Our heart of the campus for students has traditionally been the dorms first, then the [Holmes] Student Center, but now it seems the Rec center is taking over,” said Micki Emmett, an associate vice provost.

The panel also reviewed reports from the economics, marketing and accountancy departments. The panel made recommendations on how each report could be improved.

The function of the panel is to help each university department with the assessment process, said Craig Barnard, coordinator for Assessment Services. The panel also approves funding for assessment projects on a case-by-case basis.

Barnard is not sure of the total budget for the panel. Various university committees provide representatives to be on the four-year-old panel, which is composed of 15 members.

The evaluators would make suggestions regarding staff, facilities and funding, said John Sweeney, the director of Campus Recreation. They would be able to look at the program with fresh eyes.

Each department or program evaluates itself. A mandate from the Illinois Board of Education requires that every academic department submit an assessment plan on an annual basis. The submission of reports was voluntary until this year, said Sherry Wisdom, a secretary with Assessment Services.

“Assessment plans are living documents; they change as parts are tried and removed,” Barnard said.

For academic assessments, the panel looks to make sure its learning objectives are clear and focused and that the objectives are being met. Assessment Services sends out alumni surveys to get information regarding satisfaction with various aspects of the university.

“We help find evidence that students are learning what they need to know,” Barnard said. “We make sure they are leaving NIU with a strong education and background for success.”

The panel usually meets every other week. Friday’s meeting was the last of the semester.Dawid Klimek photo

Virginia Caste of the provost’s office discusses reports from the academic departments during the Friday meeting of the University Assessment Panel.