Institutional Support a. Resources Green font indicates 2001 additions . The university has not designated funds in the institutional operating budget for the implementation of a comprehensive assessment program that will generate data to inform decisions intended to lead to continuing improvement of student learning and that will protect the assessment program from the funding vicissitudes of particular schools, colleges, and units. The CEO and CAO annually approve a budget for the Assessment Program sufficient to provide the technological support, physical facilities, and space needed to sustain a viable assessment program and for making professional development opportunities available. Unit heads endorse the use of departmental funds for professional development in assessment, for faculty released time, and other expenses associated with the department's assessment activities and initiatives based on assessment findings intended to improve student learning. Resources are made available for faculty serving on the Assessment Committee, faculty seeking to develop their skills in assessing student learning, departments requesting funding to implement their assessment programs and test charges intended to improve student learning.
Faculty receive feedback on their assessment programs through an annual reporting cycle.
The members of the Assessment Committee review each report that is submitted and provide analysis and suggestions to the faculty in the program. Assessment information sources such as an assessment newsletter and an assessment resource manual are made available to faculty to provide them with key assessment principles, concepts, models, and procedures. All of the characteristics described in Level Two are continued, sustained, and where appropriate, enhanced. Mechanisms are in place to ensure linkage of assessment outcomes to allocation of resources for the purposes of improving student learning. Special funding is available to support faculty attendance at local, state, regional, and national assessment conferences.