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Brenau University is committed to excellence and integrity in its academic programs and consequently has developed plans for assessing Liberal Education learning outcomes as well as the expected learning outcomes of each degree program.
Specific assessment plans and annual reports for each major are maintained in the University’s assessment management system, Compliance Assist. Faculty coordinators for each of the academic majors determine and administer their own evaluations of their major field learning outcomes through capstone experiences, major field achievement tests, juried performances or other evaluation methods; data collection is consistent across all delivery methods. The Office of Assessment coordinates the periodic administration of university-wide testing as well as occasional surveys or focus group discussions. The Office of Institutional Research administers the National Survey of Student Engagement as well as alumni surveys. Results of these assessment and research activities are distributed to the academic administration and the faculty to provide them additional data in support of program planning and instructional, curricular and support service improvement.
Assessment of the Liberal Education Program outcomes is coordinated by the Office of Assessment in conjunction with the faculty Liberal Education Committee. Assessment methods and rubrics have been identified to be used in all courses in the LE curriculum to ensure consistent and appropriate assessment of the relevant LE learning outcome embedded in each course, guiding collection of evidence of student performance and outcome achievement. A three-year cycle of LE Outcome review provides data on 1-2 LE outcomes per year to be reviewed by the faculty LE committee, and other faculty as appropriate, and to be summarized with recommendations for the full committee. The Office of Assessment oversees this process and provides support to ensure appropriate assessment occurs and follows the published cycle.
Students’ Role and Responsibilities in Academic Assessment
In support of continual program improvement and enhanced student learning, Brenau reserves the right to require all students enrolled in academic programs to complete standardized tests or other assessment instruments administered by the institution. Students will be given appropriate notice of dates and locations for such testing. In the case of overall institutional testing and in certain majors, completion of these tests may constitute a graduation requirement.
Annual Undergraduate Assessment Day
Undergraduate Assessment Day is held during the spring semester and is designated annually on the university master calendar. It provides an opportunity for the university to collect student feedback and outcomes data and for students to participate in institutional and major field assessment activities outside of the classroom setting. Attendance is required at the discretion of the Office of Assessment and/or the Office of Academic Affairs, in consultation with students’ academic major departments. Students are reminded to make necessary arrangements with employers and child care providers well in advance as they would for any required class. Students with unavoidable conflicts with or excused absences from Undergraduate Assessment Day may be required to make up assessment activities at the discretion of the Office of Assessment and/or their academic major department(s).
Academic departments may also create plans for collecting similar data and feedback from students in their online majors and at instructional sites other than the Historic Gainesville campus via course- embedded activities to ensure comparability of learning outcomes across the university. In such cases, required participation is again at the discretion of the Office of Assessment and/or the Office of Academic Affairs.
Student Testing
All students are required to take any comprehensive or core competency examinations which may be administered by Brenau University or its various departments. This may include, but is not limited to, area achievement tests. Testing requirements will be made known to students at least two weeks in advance of associated deadlines.
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