The University Assessment Committee (UAC) has been working hard to identify the format, review criteria, and best way to submit the required University Assessment Report (UAR).  We believe that have a carefully planned and organized process that will support assessment at GVSU.  The questions below represent what we envisioned would be the major questions units might have about the process.  We do not expect it will be an exhaustive list.  If there are particular questions you would like answered, please feel free to email the UAC chair (Stephen Burton: burtonst@gvsu.edu) or vice-chair (Shari Bartz: bartza@gvsu.edu).

 When do we submit our UAR?  The submission dates for each unit can be found on the UAC website (www.gvsu.edu/uac) and click on the reporting schedule on the menu.  This will open an excel file with two tabs.  The Groups tab provides the scheduling information for both the Assessment Report and GVSU Self-study. 

What should units be doing if they are not submitting an assessment report or a GVSU self-study during the following academic year?  Units should be implementing their assessment plan.  Further, units may be analyzing their data and making curricular decisions based on their data.  We recommend that the units document their findings, their analysis, and what decisions they have made from the data.  This type of documentation will allow the Unit to more easily complete the UAR when the time comes.

 What will be in the UAR? The UAR will consist of a description of the measures/measurement tools and the findings associated with them.  It will also include an analysis of the findings in light of objectives identified by the unit.  The analysis will include:

1. What specifically did your assessments show regarding proven strengths or progress you made on outcomes/objectives?
2. What specifically did your assessments show regarding any outcomes/objectives that will require continued attention?

Who will the readers of the UAR documents be? The intended audience of the UAR is really the unit.  The UAR is just a formalized way to document the assessments undertaken and decisions made from analyses. The purpose of submitting this documentation to the UAC is to provide feedback and support that the unit may or may not have considered.

When will our reports be reviewed and will we receive feedback?  The review timeline can be found on the UAC website (www.gvsu.edu/uac) and click on the reporting schedule on the menu.  This will open an excel file with two tabs.  The Assessment Reporting Timeline tab provides detailed dates for submitting materials and when the review and reporting processes occur.  The UAC is dedicated to supporting the assessment efforts of all units.  Therefore, we will provide feedback to all units about their assessment efforts.  The intention of this feedback is to provide suggestions, ideas, and sometimes solutions to help improve the assessment activity of the unit.

 How will be UAR be submitted?  The UAR will be submitted electronically by the Unit to an online database known as WEAVEonline ®.

What is WEAVEonline ®? WEAVEonline ® is an online resource that:

• Has the power, convenience, and efficiency of the web for supporting your planning, assessment, and improvement processes.
• Streamlines management and provides easy accessibility for anyone in the unit at any time from any location.  Unit faculty can then review the plan, monitor progress, examine results, and participate in the analysis and decision making processes.
• Centralizes the assessment information for each unit and has the capacity to provide an historical record (archive) of the units past activities as well as track future actions.
• Easily documents the assessment activity of the unit for program review, UAC reporting, and accreditation.

Why are we using WEAVEonline ® for the UAR? This database provides an opportunity for units to better document and archive their assessment activities.  Further, this makes the assessment activities in the unit accessible to all members of the unit.  This accessibility encourages the unit to view assessment as an ongoing activity.  Additionally, the types of information submitted by the unit can easily be reviewed by the UAC without any additional effort by the Unit. 

Is WEAVEonline ® difficult to use?  NO!!!  This program was chosen for a variety of reason, including that it was easy to use.  Further, to support units in using WEAVEonline ®, we will conduct multiple workshops in which you will be given the opportunity to play with the software with guidance from knowledgeable colleagues.

 Who should attend the WEAVEonline ® workshops?  Those units that will be submitting assessment reports on September 15, 2007 are strongly encouraged to have the person(s) responsible for submitting the report attend.  If the workshops are scheduled at times you cannot attend, it is possible to coordinate a special private session (contact Stephen Burton, UAC Chair - burtonst@gvsu.edu).

If we are not submitting in September 15, 2007, should we start using WEAVEonline ® right away? There will be workshops in the fall 2007 semester for units that will be submitting reports in 2008 and beyond.  However, a unit that would like to begin using WEAVEonline ® this semester is more than welcome to attend the workshops offered this semester (contact Stephen Burton, UAC Chair - burtonst@gvsu.edu).