Institutional Assessment

Assessment Data Transparency Policy

The university differentiates between institutional level data and departmental level data. Institutional level data refers to data and findings from initiatives that do not identify or focus on individual academic units. One example would be the National Survey of Student Engagement. Another example is data compiled about undergraduate, graduate or international students as a panel or cohort.

Each department determines the type and nature of data that can be shared outside of the department. However, college deans can request department-level data as appropriate. As the governing authority for all academic units, the Provost can request data from colleges in order to fulfill its institutional obligations. In order to protect confidentiality and privacy, no individual data (e.g., individual student, faculty or class) will be made available outside the department.

Institution-Wide Assessment Instruments

WMU participates in two institution-wide national assessment instruments, the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and the Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE) on a rotating basis. The first year, we participate in the NSSE and FSSE. In the second and third year, we examine the data and outputs, look for trends, compare the data with other sources, and identify areas where improvements can be made. Lastly, we create action plans and work toward implementation of those changes. In the fourth year, the cycle begins again. 

For several years, we also participated in the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA+). This assessment provided us with valuable data, but was not cost effective and so was discontinued after the 2017-18 implementation. 

Click below for further information about the three assessment instruments, including reports for each year we have participated.