Selected Contemporary Assessment Issues

As demands for accountability escalate, assessment continues toevolve as a central aspect of student affairs administration.Experience clearly indicates that without a robust portfolio ofassessment activities, the services, programs, and activities of astudent affairs division are at risk of being reassigned to otherorganizational units on campus--or, in a tight budgetaryenvironment, being eliminated.This sourcebook reminds student affairs educators of theimportance of developing an assessment program and explores topicsthat will add depth and richness to such a program. From specificmetrics to broad strategies for developing collaborative activitiesinvolving academic and student affairs, it shows how to integratevaluable resources into the assessment process and how to use thatprocess to enhance the student experience. The authors also takethe largest view, offering advice on developing an institutionalculture of assessment and planning future actions that will bestserve students during their collegiate years.This is the 142nd volume of this Jossey-Bass highereducation quarterly series. An indispensable resource for vicepresidents of student affairs, deans of students, studentcounselors, and other student services professionals, NewDirections for Student Services offers guidelines andprograms for aiding students in their total development: emotional,social, physical, and intellectual.