One of the elements that characterize institutions with mature assessment programs is a program of regular self-evaluation of those assessment programs. Indeed, periodic review of the assessment program is considered one kind of "pattern of evidence" North Central Association consultant-evaluators frequently use when trying to determine if a college or university meets NCA standards for accreditation.

Last year the Assessment Committee decided that one way to accomplish this would be to bring an outside expert to campus to review and make recommendations for improvement of our assessment program. After speaking with several potential consultants, we eventually decided on Jack Rossmann. Dr. Rossmann has been a professor of psychology at Macalaster College in St. Paul, MN since 1964. He has served at various times as Macalester's academic vice-president and institutional research officer. He has acted as a consultant to several other liberal arts colleges in the development of their assessment programs. His background also includes over thirty site visits as a NCA consultant-evaluator.

Dr. Rossmann's visit is scheduled for January 17-18. Although his itinerary has not been firmly set, we anticipate that he will want to meet with several department and program chairs, along with certain other faculty, staff, and administrators. If anyone would like to meet with Dr. Rossmann regarding assessment during his visit, please contact Richard Ray at x7708.