Assessment can be structured in many different ways and can be incorporated within an institution with widely varying purposes, objectives, and components.  In an effort to define the role of assessment at Roanoke, the following governing principles are elucidated:

(1) Roanoke College is committed to assessment and to the development of a systematic, comprehensive, unified, and ongoing program of assessment that includes both administrative and academic departments and programs.

(2) Assessment strategies and activities are selected and developed in such a way that they promote the mission of the College, increase institutional effectiveness, and enhance student learning.

(3) Assessment requires clearly defined objectives against which educational and institutional outcomes can be measured.  Program objectives are the responsibility of individual departments and programs but are consistent with the College's Statement of Purpose, Institutional Standing Goals, and Curriculum Goals.

(4) Because effective assessment is a collaborative effort, it requires coordinated efforts both within and across departments and programs.

(5) Faculty have primary responsibility for the development and maintenance of academic assessment, and administrative units are responsible for development and maintenance of assessment within their areas.