This was an effort to make assessment more systematic and to insure that the university is prepared for the next North Central Association site visit in the year 2004. This is seen as assessment of both general education and majors, though how this information will be used has not yet been specifically planned. Assessment is based upon multiple measures. Departments and units all across campus employ multiple measures for assessment. The GEAC also lists numerous approaches to its research for general education.
Assessment is part of strategic planning and program review.
One of the goals of the University Academic Assessment Committee this year has been to study the link between assessment and planning. In some departments, there appears to be a relationship as assessment research is used to set goals for Articulated Planning. In the College of Arts and Humanities, the Dean actively watches for such links as he reviews Articulated Plans. History, Theater and Music integrated these two processes as they planned their assessment. Though departments are informed by their own assessment as they draft their Articulated Plans, this relationship remains inconsistent across campus.