After initial welcomes and congratulations, Greg distributed notebooks for each member of the Council. The notebooks included the document, Academic Outcomes Assessment at Roanoke College, sections on institutional effectiveness from the Criteria for Accreditation (of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), the Faculty Handbook section on the Assessment Council, the Job Description of the Director of Assessment, and a couple of articles on assessment from the AAHE Bulletin.

Greg began an orientation session by reviewing the history of institutional effectiveness and assessment, talking about the meaning of the concepts, and identifying the various external and internal forces stimulating interest in assessment. The benefits of conscientious assessment and the concerns held by some were discussed. Council members asked a variety of important questions about the expectations for assessment, assessment activities around the country, and the status of assessment on campus.

The next meeting was set for Wednesday, December 8th at 12:30 p.m.

The meeting ended at 1:30 p.m.