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Learn how to effectively use CAS Self-Assessment Guides to evaluate and improve your campus programs. Gain insight and practical tips from experienced practitioners.
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practical application of CAS Self-Assessment Guides (SAGS) Donna Lee Sullins and Jami Hall
Who are we? • Not experts…just practitioners Donna Lee Sullins Associate Director of Student Life Student Conduct Jami Hall Director of Student Life Student Programming
Learning Outcomes • Participants will understand the purpose of voluntary self evaluation. • Participants will be aware of multiple approaches to using CAS Self-Assessment Guides on their campuses. • Participants will be able to outline the steps to use a CAS Self-Assessment Guide on their campuses.
Pre-test time! • What is CAS? • What is a SAG? • Has anyone done a SAG? • How comfortable do you feel leading a SAG review in your office?
Assessment you are currently doing • What is your office doing? • Why? What goals are to be accomplished in so doing? • What are your hopes for collaboration?
What is ? • “Founded in 1979, The Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) is the pre-eminent force for promoting standards in student affairs, student services, and student development programs.”- CAS • CAS has eight guiding principles that are concerned with student learning and the environmental conditions at institutions needed to in order to promote leaning and development. • Member groups: ACPA, ACUHO-I, ACUI, ASCA, NACA,NASPA, NIRSA, NODA…just to name a few
What is a SAG? • “An operational version of the CAS Standards and Guidelines designed to provide users with an assessment tool that can be used for self-study or self-assessment purposes. A SAG is available for each functional area for which a CAS standard exists.” – CAS • CAS standards use of auxiliary verbs “must” and “shall” that appear in bold print. • Guidelines use “may” and “should” appear in regular text.
SAG Review of Part 2. Program 8th Edition 7th Edition
How do you get a SAG? • www.cas.edu • CAS Professional Standards for Higher Education (8th edition) and the Self-Assessment Guides - CD = $300 • CAS Professional Standards for Higher Education (8th edition) = $85 • Self-Assessment Guides - CD (all 43 functional areas) = $255 • Individual Self Assessment Guide(s) = $35 each
A few ways of doing things • Timeline • Number of functional areas to evaluate • Who’s on your team • Implementation and review plan
Georgia Southern- Center for Student Leadership 2005 • One semester to complete • Group/Peer review • Outside/Inside perspective • Evidence collected as we went
Belmont University- New Student Programs 2007 • One month to complete • Individual review • Outside perspective • Hesitancy by office • Most evidence collected first
Dalton State College- Office of Admission 2009 • Lack of clear timeline when starting • Lack of diversity in team member selection • Lack of true desire to learn areas of needed improvement • Irregular meeting times • All this led to an incomplete review
Dalton State College-Office of Student Activities/Life 2010-2012 • One year original timeline • Cross Campus Team • Donna Lee Sullins, Student Life (2010-2012) • Jami Hall, Student Life (2010-2012) • Dr. Gina Kertulis-Tartar, Biology Faculty (2010-2012) • Dr. Kent Harrelson, English Faculty (2010-2011) • Dr. Christian Griggs, History Faculty (2011-2012) • Kim McCroskey, OCIS (2010-2011) • Kris Richardson, OCIS (2011) • Ashley Baugh, Business Services (2012) • Andrew Mailman, Student (2010) • Ashley Lindsey, Student (2010-2011) • Greg Ellis, Student (2012) • Review of 4 functional areas and the general SAG section by section • Collect evidence as we go • Once per month 3 hour meetings then later twice per month hour and a half meetings
Why can’t we be friends? Typical organization scheme for higher education
Collaborations = Success • Student Life + Academic Affairs = Perfect Partners! • Often a (perceived?) disconnect • Share a common goal – student success • Perhaps a better organization plan is: Student Affairs
Questions to consider: • Who? • Personality! • Consider background & interests of individuals • What? • Establishing role(s) of each member is important • Do you really want “yes” men and women? • When? • Time commitment – frequency/duration • How? • Dissemination of information/materials • Amount covered in each meeting
Added validity and accountability • Self assessment – but what does “self” really mean? • Internally driven • Supports and encourages staff development • Develops a shared vision among various constituents • Post assessment follow through • Are recommendations considered? • What are the changes made? • Timeframe for changes?
Who benefits? • Students! • All interested parties • Creates • Open communication • Sustainability • Working relationships
Practice Time • Please get into groups of no larger than 10 by the following functional areas: • Assessment Services • Campus Activities Programs • Housing and Residential Life Programs • Multicultural Student Programs and Services • Orientation Programs • You will work on Part 1. Mission by accessing your office’s materials as best you can from the internet
Steps to get started tomorrow • 1. Get your supervisor on board • 2. Decide if done as a team or individually • a. Brainstorm area to be involved and key people to invite from those areas • b. Invite Committee members • 3. Set a time frame • 4. Decide your approach as a team • 5. Get other staff members on board to provide evidence and set deadline(s) • 6. Create an action plan with timelines • 7. Write a summary report (if you want to)
Post test time! • What is CAS? • What is a SAG? • How comfortable do you feel leading a SAG review in your office?
References • Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. (2012). CAS professional standards for higher education (8th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. • Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. (2012). Council for the advancement of standards in higher education. Retrieved August 24, 2012. www.cas.edu. • Schuh, M. L., Upcraft, J. H., and Associates. (2001). Assessment practice in student affairs: An applications manual. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. • Upcraft, J. H. & Schuh, M. L. (1996). Assessment in student affairs: A guide for practitioners. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Questions? • To Contact us: • Donna Lee Sullins • dlsullins@daltonstate.edu • Jami Hall • jhall@daltonstate.edu