CLAO Core Functions

Student Affairs utilizes data-driven assessment, incorporating people and budget, to align programs with co-curricular goals, improve practices, and ensure equitable outcomes. A quarterly committee provides guidance and oversight, facilitating continuous improvement through clear, visualized reporting.

Assessment Planning

Assessment Planning guides assessment efforts for a divisional department. The plan includes a department’s mission, vision, goals for the year, a number of assessment “activities” to accomplish, methods, targets, findings, and next steps based on results. Assessment in the Division of Student Affairs emerges is conducted within the integrated planning framework of our Student Affairs Curriculum.

Integrated Planning

Integrated Planning involves the department’s plan for the upcoming academic year (projects activity between July 1 - June 30). The purpose is to convey the department’s goals and priorities for budget, allocations, operations, programs, services, expected student learning and operational outcomes, and assessment plans. The annual integrated planning deadline is May 31.

Data Collection

Data Collection is crucial for any assessment project. This involves determining what data is needed, gathering that data, and then assembling it for analysis. Data sources vary and may include department data, institutional records, external databases, or other sources.

Analytics

Analytics enable departments to create visualizations and dashboards of assessment results. These informational and statistical graphics convey the impact of activities on student learning outcomes and operational objectives. 

Integrated Reporting

Integrated Reporting summarizes the department’s impact and outcomes for the current academic year. The annual integrated reporting deadline is late June to mid July (reflects activity between July 1 - June 30).

Assessment and Social Justice Committee

The Student Affairs Assessment and Social Justice Committee facilitates assessment activities in the Division of Student Affairs and collaborates with the Director of Co-Curricular Learning, Educational Equity, and Assessment to:

• Provide staff leadership for development and support of assessment of programs reaching undergraduate and graduate students.
• Help each unit align with CSU system priorities, meet higher education standards, and adhere to compliance, benchmarking, and best practices.
• Promote a culture of inquiry and reflection of student learning outcomes in each unit that centers educational equity while advancing knowledge of assessment techniques.
• Membership consists of representatives of each Student Affairs subdivision. Service tenure is for the calendar  year and includes active engagement on the committee and provides input about assessment coordination.