Assessment

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UT Dallas engages in continuous, integrated, and comprehensive planning and evaluation processes. As a part of these activities, UT Dallas’ administrative and academic units identify expected outcomes, assess the extent to which they achieve those outcomes, and provide evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results. This process incorporates a systematic review of the UT Dallas mission, goals, and outcomes in areas such as:

Degree and certificate programs, to include student learning outcomes
Degree and certificate programs are assessed to determine the quality and efficacy of the educational programs offered at UT Dallas. To achieve this, each program clearly defines and documents expected student learning outcomes, evaluations of those outcomes and findings from the assessment of those outcomes. Based on this information, all degree and certificate programs can determine:
- The degree to which student learning outcomes are successfully achieved within each program
- Areas in which each program can be improved upon
- How UT Dallas’ use of assessment results has led to improvements in its educational programs
Administrative support services
Administrative support services are evaluated based on their ability to manage business operations in a manner that is conducive to effective teaching, research and public service. For example, the Office of Administration specifies that transparency, integrity and accountability make up the core values of their operation. These values are transformed into action through the following objectives, which are then assessed and used to ultimately improve the quality of administrative support services offered at UT Dallas.
- Improve the campus infrastructure by providing oversight regarding Facilities Management's charge to assess and upgrade the campus infrastructure including electric distribution grid, central energy plant, water distribution system and roads.
- Improve the business processes within Administration to increase efficiency and improve customer service by coordinating with each unit within Administration and other campus departments in the establishment of specific plans to incorporate more efficiency and improved customer service into their process areas.
- Ensure critical life and safety issues are addressed in a timely manner by advocating at the highest levels, for allocation of resources - both financial and personnel - to address critical life and safety issues.
- Ensure financial health and stability of UT Dallas by facilitating regular meetings of the Budget and Finance Committee in order to continually monitor and communicate to campus leaders financial and budget information, including, but not limited to, current financial status, key financial performance measures, budget status and projects in need of funding.
Academic and student support services
The assessment of academic and support services examines the quality of living and learning programs offered to students at UT Dallas. Programs, such as those offered by Student Affairs, are evaluated according to their ability to prepare graduates for life, work and leadership. The following goals are assessed and used to improve the academic and student support services:
- Ensure high standards of customer service throughout the Division of Student Affairs by providing staff development programs, reducing student complaints related to service, and keeping quality service at the forefront of all unit endeavors.
- Develop a comprehensive, intentional assessment program with a greater focus on student learning and development and retention efforts within Student Affairs units. Ensure appropriate staff members receive ongoing training and development in the areas of student learning and development and assessment.
- Using the CAS (Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education) Professional Standards for Higher Education as a standard, ensure Student Affairs units are aligned with the university and division missions.
- Students engaged in programs and services provided by the Division of Student Affairs will develop and demonstrate life skills and characteristics associated with the student learning and development outcome domains outlined by CAS, which include the following:
Research
The research activities of The University of Texas at Dallas are evaluated based upon their contribution to the University’s mission to advance excellent educational and research programs and transform ideas into actions. The Office of the Vice President for Research promotes the mission of the University by:
- Providing high quality research support services that enable and encourage research excellence
- Promoting the university's research capabilities with state, federal and industrial stakeholders
- Securing funding to attract and retain high quality researchers and to enhance research infrastructure
- Accelerating the transfer of ideas and inventions from the university to the marketplace
Community/public service
The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement strives to accomplish the fulfillment of the UT Dallas commitment to embrace, enhance and celebrate diversity at all levels of the University and our community through the efforts of faculty, staff, students, the executive leadership and community partnerships. UT Dallas aspires to be a leader in promoting diversity to reach the highest levels of excellence through the following goals.
- Develop and communicate a collective and inclusive understanding of diversity and its benefits across campus.
- Create a welcoming campus climate to foster a culture that promotes and celebrates diversity at UT Dallas and attract and retain a diversity of talented people at all levels.
- Recruit, retain and graduate a diverse student body.
- Develop diversity education and training
- Build partnerships to address the educational needs and diversity challenges of the community.

The Assessment Team provides university-wide support to assist the institution’s administrative and academic units with demonstrating their institutional effectiveness.

Upcoming Assessment Deadlines

Sept 30 - Core curriculum assessment reports for Spring 2013 & plans for Fall 2013 due
Oct 15 - Program assessment reports for academic year 2012-2013 and plans for academic year 2013-2014 due
Download the full Assessment Schedule (PDF)