September 5, 2007

Diversity Self Study Assessment Process

The next step towards attaining more diversely inclusive campus environments is the formulation of a process to assess the action steps delineated in the Diversity Self Study Executive Summary. The following steps have been designed to assess our work in this area.

* Unit heads (campus, college, division) will be briefed by Vice-President of Institutional Diversity on the process. They will be asked to identify a point person that will be responsible for the assessment process.

* Vice-President of Institutional Diversity will meet with each point person to establish benchmarks. We will take a look at each action step and determine:

o Where they currently are;
o Projections for years one, two and three; and
o Determine how we will measure each action step.

(Members of the Diversity Advisory Board will be included in these meetings and asked to conduct the end of year assessments using the established documentation materials).

* Assessment will occur in March and April of each year. An assessment document listing all of each unit’s action steps, followed by a four-point Likert scale and space for a brief narrative will be used.

o We will ask each unit to self assess by circling one of the four indicators on the Likert scale and provide a brief explanation for that scoring.

o We will also ask members of the Diversity Advisory Council to assess these action steps. Diversity Council members will work in one of six subcommittees (recruitment, retention, partnerships, campus climate, professional development and assessment).

o A statistical analysis of inter-quartile ranges, along with the narratives from both groups, will bring clarity to our levels of success each year.

Timeline (2007-2008 Academic Year)

September The assessment process will be introduced to all unit heads (campus presidents, Stillwater deans and vice presidents)

Each unit head will be asked to select a point person for the assessment process.

October – November The assessment process will be introduced to members of the Diversity
Advisory Council and assignments will be clarified.

Meetings with all point persons will be conducted.

January – February Diversity Council members, based on assignments, will meet with the
person selected by the unit head to further clarify the work ahead.

March - April The formal assessment process will begin.

May - June Assessment results will be compiled.

July Assessment results will be presented at the Board of Regents meeting. Results will then be distributed across the System.

It will have been one year in March 2008 that the Self-Study was completed. Beginning the formal assessment at this time will provide us with substantial information regarding the work the campus/college/divisions have accomplished.

The Benchmarks established for the Campuses/Colleges/Units can be found below: