Talking Stick - November/December 2009 - 29

No Small Measure College housing departments are recognizing the importance of assessment to let themselves – and the rest of their campus – know where they stand. by David A. McKelfresh and Joseph D. Levy y all indications, the next decade will be a time of great challenge for higher education institutions. College and university presidents already indicate that issues of access, affordability, and quality are among the most pressing. Meanwhile, some vocal members of the public doubt whether schools are making serious efforts to control costs, and they fear that economic self-interest has been placed above all else. Additionally, civic and government leaders are urging higher education to be more productive and more accountable. With all of these factors to consider, it is not surprising that Phyllis Grummon, writing for the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), reports, “Issues of accountability for access and learning are likely to heat up as money flows to higher education, whether from government sources or tuition and fees. Politicians will increasingly see this as an area in which they must take a stand.” Housing departments, in particular, will face increased scrutiny and be called upon to demonstrate through assessment how they contribute to the larger division and to the college or university. “We’re in an era of accountability,” says Jim Dolak, executive director of housing and dining at Colorado State University in Fort Collins: “If we don’t take the lead ourselves, external factors will. Then assessment can be done by external factors we don’t control or want to be measured by, which can lead to ineffective evaluation of our programs and efforts. If we don’t measure what we do, how are we going to know we’re successful?” A number of housing officers who have recognized the need for assessment and the importance of integrating assessment into the strategic goals and plans of departments and divisions share Dolak’s thoughts. Housing departments everywhere are asking themselves, What is most central to us? Are we being effective? Are we improving? How shall we proceed? These questions are particularly important because of the current unprecedented economic times. Why Assessment Matters In the last 20 years, there has been a wealth of research that makes the case for assessment. Among these scholars is Dary Erwin, author of Assessing Student Learning and Development (1991), who lists four primary reasons for assessment. The first is political: “Perhaps the greatest reason for political support of assessment in higher education is that state officials want to understand where the money goes and how well it is being spent.” The second reason is economic: “Assessment is also needed to ensure a well trained workforce to support regional, state, and local economies.” The third reason is educational: Campuses need to “institute systematic programs to assess knowledge, skills, attitudes, and capacities from academic and co-curricular programs.” And, finally, the fourth reason is societal: It refers to the “public’s need to know more about higher education and what it offers.” In Assessment in Student Affairs: A Guide for Practitioners (1996), M. Lee Upcraft and John Schuh detail six reasons why student affairs needs a comprehensive approach to assessment. Essentially, they describe it as a matter of survival, quality, affordability, strategic planning, policy development and decision-making, and politics. Similarly, Catherine Palomba, co-author with Trudy Banta and associates of Assessment Essentials: Planning, Implementing, and Improving Assessment in Higher Education (1999), emphasizes how assessment can be strategic in reflecting the strengths of an institution: “Assessment plays an important role in establishing and improving quality and in building trust. In fact, an institution’s genuine commitment to assessment is a clear public statement of its desire to offer quality programs and improve student learning and development.” november + December 2009 2

Talking Stick - November/December 2009

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