This policy affirms the University’s longstanding commitment to assessment for enhancing academic and other excellence by developing and implementing plans for the regular assessment and review of institutional effectiveness, academic programs and general education.  Acknowledging the gains made and the ongoing evolution of external standards in the area of assessment and data reporting, the Policy recognizes that each campus must develop assessment plans that are consistent with its mission and goals within the context of the State University’s mission and goals, while maintaining academic rigor and meeting or exceeding external standards for assessment, including accurate and timely data reporting, as required by federal and state law, and that System Administration must work with leadership and governance to develop a plan for the responsible release of accurate, complete and timely information that satisfies reporting requirements and addresses the growing demand for user-friendly public access to data and assessment results.

• Each State University of New York campus, including the state-operated campuses, community colleges and statutory colleges, shall enhance quality by developing and implementing plans for the regular assessment and review of institutional effectiveness, academic programs and general education, such that the campus meets or exceeds the assessment standards set by section 52.1(b)(3) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education (8 NYCRR §52.1[b][3]), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and, as appropriate, programmatic accreditation bodies.
• The Provost of the State University of New York shall continue to review the findings of regional and programmatic accreditation bodies related to assessment on State University of New York campuses, and shall assist campuses when needed.
• Each State University of New York campus, including the state-operated campuses, community colleges and statutory colleges, shall enhance quality by developing and implementing plans for the regular assessment and review of institutional effectiveness, academic programs and general education, such that the campus meets or exceeds the assessment standards set by section 52.1(b)(3) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education (8 NYCRR §52.1[b][3]), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and, as appropriate, programmatic accreditation bodies.
• The Provost of the State University of New York shall continue to review the findings of regional and programmatic accreditation bodies related to assessment on State University of New York campuses, and shall assist campuses when needed.
• The Chancellor and Provost will work with SUNY leadership and governance to develop a plan for data reporting to address the following:
  • Specifications for data reports, for both campuses and system;
  • Dissemination and communication of data, i.e., how best to make it available;
  • Appropriate use of data, including its application to budget allocation and presidential review;
  • Enhancement of the centralized SUNY data repository for the collection, analysis and dissemination of SUNY-wide data, and for participation in the New York State Open Data Initiative;
  • SUNY’s level of participation in national surveys, benchmarking and assessment efforts, such as the National Survey of Student Engagement, the National Community College Benchmark Project, the Voluntary System of Accountability, the Voluntary Framework of Accountability, and others; and
  • Safeguarding of datasets, to maximize, among other confidentiality concerns, the privacy of individual student records consistent with federal and state law, to ensure appropriate use for policy development and institutional improvement.
• The Provost of the State University shall work with leadership, faculty and others on SUNY campuses to implement this Policy, including the formation of a Data and Information Governance body, in consultation with faculty and student governance, and shall report periodically to the Board of Trustees any additional steps that may need to be taken to ensure the smooth implementation of this Policy in a fashion that enhances quality at the State University.

There are no definitions relevant to this policy.

General Education Requirement

SUNY Procedure, Doc. No. 1151, July 1, 2010 - Assessment, Procedure

SUNY Memorandum to Presidents Vol. 10, No. 2, Policy and Guidance: State University Assessment Policy, July 15, 2010.

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Related Policies

SUNY Policy, Assessment Policy, Doc. No. 1150, July 1, 2010.

There are no forms relevant to this policy.

State University of New York Board of Trustee Resolutions, Data Transparency and Reporting, No. 2013-025, adopted May 7, 2013.

State University of New York Board of Trustee Resolutions 2010-039, Streamlining of the State University Board of Trustees Policy on SUNY Assessment.

NYS Education Law §351, NY EDN Title 1, Article 8, §351 (State University Mission).

In case of questions, readers are advised to refer to the New York State Legislature site for the menu of the Laws of New York State.

See Authority section.

There are no appendices relevant to this policy.