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University Support Assessment Committee

University Support Assessment Committee (USAC)

Description and Bylaws

 

Document Number:  COMMITTEE – USAC – 108d
Revision #: 1.0
Document Owner: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Date Last Updated: 07/23/2020
Date Originally Created:  07/23/2020

  1. Description

    The purpose of the University Support Assessment Committee is to advise, facilitate, and monitor the process of institutional effectiveness and assessment of university support services (administrative, academic, and student support) at Cumberland University. This committee is charged with the responsibility to educate and train unit directors and university staff at large with regard to assessment and planning processes; to set the assessment and planning timeline and communicate it clearly to unit directors and other staff; to evaluate final assessment reports from unit directors following the completion of each cycle, giving appropriate and timely feedback; and to facilitate and monitor compliance with SACSCOC accreditation criteria related to institutional effectiveness and assessment of university support services.

    Along with the Academic Assessment Committee (AAC), the University Support Assessment Committee (USAC) shares the principal responsibility of overseeing the campus-wide integrated and systematic process of assessment for the purpose of institutional improvement and achievement of outcomes and objectives to meet the University Mission.

     

  2. By-Laws

     

    2.1 Committee Composition

     

    1. To ensure adequately informed representation of the entire University community, the University Support Assessment Committee will consist of members that include representation from each of the broad university support areas of the University via representative staff and/or administrators from the non-academic units of the University.The following broad areas will be represented:institutional research, development/advancement/alumni services, academic support services, student life and support services, finance and procurement, enrollment services, athletics, and the library and information resources.

    2. Each representative on the USAC will be recommended by the appropriate administrator and appointed by the Provost.

    1. Spring 2022 – Members of the committee from the areas of enrollment services, student life and support services, and development/advancement/alumni services will be appointed in January of 2022 as “members-elect” and every three years afterward.
    2. Spring 2023 – Members of the committee from the areas of finance and procurement, athletics, and academic support services will be appointed in January of 2023 as “members-elect” and every three years afterward.
    3. Spring 2024 – Members of the committee from the areas of institutional research and the library and information services will be appointed in January of 2024 as “members-elect” and every three years afterward. 

     

    3. USAC members will serve three-year terms and may be reappointed for two consecutive terms, as deemed appropriate by the respective administrator and the Provost. Terms will end at the end of the academic year in May, providing overlap with members-elect for training and continuity purposes. In cases where committee members vacate a position prior to the end of their term of appointment, special appointment will be made to fill the open position by the respective administrator and approved by the Provost.

    4. The USAC will be chaired by the Director of Institutional Effectiveness.

    1. It is the role of the Committee Chair to communicate with the Provost regularly to convey the committee’s activity.
    2. It is the role of the Committee Chair to guide the operations of the USAC.
    3. It is the role of the Committee Chair, with the assistance of the Secretary, to ensure that proceedings of this committee’s works are appropriately communicated to the faculty and staff.
    4. It is the role of the Committee Chair to designate specific responsibilities to individual USAC members as deemed necessary.

     

    5. The Secretary of the USAC will be elected from the members at the last meeting of each spring semester.

    1. It is the role of the Secretary to document committee activities including minutes from meetings, important electronic communications, and external meetings that concern USAC assignments.
    2. The Secretary will also assist the Committee Chair in communicating the activities of the committee to the university community.

     

    6. The committee will meet at least once each fall, spring, and summer term and additionally when deemed necessary by the Committee Chair.

     

     

    2.2 Role of Committee

     

    The role of the USAC is to evaluate, assess, approve, and make recommendations concerning institutional effectiveness and assessment of university support services and to facilitate campus-wide integrated and systematic assessment for the purpose of improving and meeting the University Mission.  The USAC will:

     

    1. Promote effective planning of assessment between university support units of the University.

    2. Consult with, train, and educate university support personnel about the planning and assessment process.

    3. Assist university support personnel with assessment projects.

    4. Make recommendations on unit assessment plans to help ensure that they are linked to the University Mission - working with Academic Affairs.

    5. Edit and Approve the Assessment Handbook as needed - working with the AAC and Academic Affairs.

    6. Work with Academic Affairs, the AAC, and other bodies to help build a campus-wide culture of assessment, where assessment is effectively utilized.

    7. Aid in the assessment process of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan.

    8. Facilitate the compliance of the University with all Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation standards.

     

     

    2.3 University Committees Development

    The USAC shall be advisory to the Provost and the President on the development of committees and subcommittees that will facilitate assessment and improvement of the University.

     

     

    2.4 Committee Guidelines and By-Law Interpretation

      All decisions by the USAC will be made by a majority vote of the members, as long as a quorum of voting members exists.  A quorum exists when a simple majority of voting members is participating in the decision.