Using CAS Standards for Program Development and Assessment - Interest Session

Gavin Henning – Dartmouth College, Susan Komives – University of Maryland

Laura Bayless – St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Heather Gasser – University of Idaho

This session was developed in order to inform participants of the standards developed by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education.  Susan Komives began the session, by asking the audience if they had ever used the CAS Standards before – several hands went up.  As Komives continued, she informed the group with background information on the standards.  The committee recognized in 1979 that there was a need to develop and promote standards in higher education. At this point, there was a consortium of 41 member organizations, and 43 standards, along with self-assessment guides (SAGs) have been created.  Komives indicated that “professionals in the field are always informing us that they have a need” for certain standards” (Komives, 2012). Currently under development are two standards pertaining to Campus Media and Financial Aid.  Under revision and review are aspects related to academic advising, college honour societies, commuter and off campus living programs, education abroad, orientation programs, housing and Residential life, alcohol tobacco, and other drug programs, master’s level prep programs, as well as disability support programs. Finally, Komives suggested that there were some standards that were set to be approved, and simply needed voter support at this point – Campus Police and Security programs (new), Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Programs (new), Fraternity and Sorority Advising programs, as well as Transfer Student Programs and Services (new).  For those interested in obtaining a copy of the standards, there is set to be a new book published this upcoming August 2012.

At this point, Gavin Henning took over the conversation, and suggested that the standards included several “general standards” as part of their design.  For example, they pertain to standards in mission, program, leadership, human resources, ethics, legal responsibilities, equity & access, diversity, organization & Management, campus & external relationship, financial resources, technology, facilities & Equipment, as well as assessment & evaluation.  At this point, a member from the audience asked ‘how the CAS standards were determined.  How are they verified? Henning suggested that there was a formal process for CAS standard development.  At this point, Komives jumped in to explain this process. “Taking any given standard, a standards drafting team is comprised of 4-6 people (experts).  They take the general standards, write specific standards for that area (such as campus media), then it goes down to expert review.  We would go to the experts, and they would do an expert review, at this point they may even take it back to their own experts.  Then it’s all consolidated - the team takes the changes and tries to resolve them – if there’s too much confliction than it’s probably a guideline.  That’s the process we go through – it’s shared with all of the directors of CAS and they all have an opportunity to input on the standards, then they all agree by consensus that it reflects the best interest of everyone” (Komives, 2012).

Henning’s then explained that a standard is a “must” statement.  If you have a program in this area, you must follow the standards that are set out.  The presenters suggested many great features of CAS at this point, suggesting that you could adapt CAS to fit your culture and environment. As far as assessment is concerned, there are some particular key steps in order to do this effective – assemble a team, educate your team, compile & review evidence & conduct ratings, complete a report with an action plan, and finally prepare a descriptive report making sure to “close the loop”. As a final tidbit of information, the presenters suggested that the CAS standards could be more available to you then you think.  “Member affiliations are allowed to post the standards for their functional areas on their website.” (Komives, 2012).  This session was one of 3 presentations on the implementation and usages of the CAS standards.