Skip to Search Skip to Global Navigation Skip to Local Navigation Skip to Content
Handbook of Operating Procedures
  • Policy Process

    • Handbook of Operating Procedures
    Chapter 9 - General Provisions
    Publication Date: November 23, 2010
    Responsible Executive: VP for Academic Affairs


    9.45 Assessment of Programs and Services

    This is not the current policy. For the latest, click here.

    POLICY STATEMENT

    The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) provides quality administrative support services, educational support services, community support services and research within its educational mission. Because quality services and research result from careful planning, regular review and appropriate stewardship by university administrators, the unit head will be responsible for assessment activities of the unit, and for ensuring that such activities meet the standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

    RATIONALE

    The purpose of this policy is to ensure that each service or program covered by the policy has identified expected outcomes, has assessed the degree to which those outcomes have been achieved, and uses the results of those assessments to make improvements to the program or service.

    SCOPE

    This policy applies to all administrative support services, educational support services, community support services, and research programs and services outside of educational programs. These programs and services do not award academic credit. This policy does not apply to the assessment of educational programs which do award academic credit. Assessment of educational programs is addressed in HOP policy 2.21, Academic Program Assessment.

    WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR THIS POLICY

    http://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter9/9-45.html

    RELATED STATUTES, POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS OR STANDARDS

    Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SAC) Commission on Colleges (COC)
    Comprehensive Standards 3.3.1.2, 3.3.1.3, 3.3.1.4 and 3.3.1.5:
    SACS COC 2010 Principles of Accreditation

    CONTACTS

    If you have questions about HOP policy 9.45, Assessment of Programs and Services, contact the following office:

    Contact the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs ask for the UTSA SACS COC Liaison or Assistant Vice Provost for Assessment.


    DEFINITIONS

    Administrative Support Services
    Activities performed by the administrative offices and units within the university that support the ongoing business activities of the university and that promote productivity while optimizing both the utilization of existing resources and the generation of new resources.

    Assessment
    The process of measuring and evaluating the expected outcomes of organizational units at the university. Outcomes may focus on the essential functions of the office or unit, and may also include expected student learning outcomes that improve knowledge, skills, and values.

    Community Support Services
    Activities performed by offices and units within the university that provide engagement opportunities between UTSA and its external stakeholders. These activities include the building of collaborative relationships, conducting dialogues focused on common goals, and extending university knowledge, resources and expertise that contribute toward the advancement of society.

    Educational Support Services
    Activities performed by offices and units within the university that provide a variety of programs designed to improve student success but that do not directly provide certificates or degrees.

    Research
    Programs implemented and services offered by offices and units within the university that coordinate and promote discovery activities designed to advance knowledge. These areas work in collaboration with the academic division of the university, including the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the various deans of the colleges of the university, and other individuals involved in promoting research activities.

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    Implementation/Enforcement Step Responsible Office/Officer
    Ensure implementation and sustainment of assessment of programs /services covered by this policy Administrator, faculty and/or staff member assigned responsibility for the service or program.
    Provide guidance to administrator, faculty or staff member responsible for program/service Assistant Vice Provost for Assessment

    PROCEDURES

    1. The administrator, faculty and/or staff responsible for programs and services providing administrative support, the educational support, the community support, or research:
      1. Design and develop a proposed assessment process and program to identify expected outcomes that are the result of the support service or program they provide
      2. Submit the proposed assessment process and program to the Assistant Vice Provost for Assessment for review in light of established assessment principles and SACS requirements.
      3. Identify and explicitly state the measures to be used to determine if expectations for the support service or program are being met.
      4. Ensure that the expectations for the support service or program are assessed regularly, at least annually.
      5. Ensure that the results of assessment outcomes are used to make improvements in the support service or program.
      6. Ensure that documentation of the above assessment process is entered into the University assessment documentation system.

    SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION

    Consult with assistant Vice Provost for Assessment to ensure that assessment program meets university standards.


    FORMS AND TOOLS/ONLINE PROCESSES

    UTSA Office of Assessment