Questions? Need assistance?
Tim Bono
Assistant Dean/Lecturer in Psychology, Campus Life and the College of Arts & Sciences
Campus Box 1068
314-935-3531
tjbono@wustl.edu
Committee for the Assessment of the Undergraduate Student Experience
The Committee for the Assessment of the Undergraduate Student Experience (CAUSE) is intended to support the measurement of student growth, development, and learning both inside and outside the classroom at Washington University.
By coordinating data collection from relevant services and programs, we aim to advance a culture of continuous improvement for the undergraduate experience.
Faculty and staff from a variety of departments meet biweekly to discuss assessment initiatives taking place across campus. Meetings focus on best practices in assessment, and opportunities for collaboration between departments.
Learn more about the creation of this committee.
Committee Roster
Cris Baldwin
Assistant Dean and Registrar, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Campus Box 1031
(314) 935-4761
Tim Bono
Assistant Dean and Lecturer in Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Campus Box 1068
(314) 935-3531
Danielle Bristow
Director of First Year Programs, First Year Center
Campus Box 1136
(314) 935-8350
Bill Darby
Professor of Engineering
Campus Box 1094
(314) 935-8147
Jim Davis
Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Campus Box 1063
(314) 935-5828
Shruti Desai
Associate Director of Residential Life
Campus Box 1250
(314) 935-8293
Betsy Foy
Assistant Director of Student Health Services
Campus Box 1201
(314) 935-7386
Jane Green
Assessment and Publications Manager, Office of Undergraduate Research
Campus Box 1026
(314) 935-8972
Jenni Harpring
Program Manager, Gephardt Institute for Public Service
Campus Box 1019
(314) 935-8182
Mike Hayes
Executive Director of Campus Life
Campus Box 1068
(314) 935-4590
Leslie Heusted
Director of the Danforth University Center & Event Management
Campus Box 1155
(314) 935-3964
Maggie Hughes
Graduate Student/Assessment intern, Brown School
Kris Kerth
Assistant Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Campus Box 1117
(314) 935-4936
Joy Kiefer
Director of Undergraduate Research, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Campus Box 1026
(314) 935-8136
Jason Marquart
International Student Advisor, Office for International Students and Scholars
Campus Box 1083
(314) 935-5532
Carol Moakley
Associate Director for Career Development, Career Center
Campus Box 1091
(314) 935-4985
Carol Mollman
Assessment Coordinator, Olin Library
Campus Box 1061
(314) 935-6465
Chris Ramsay
Assistant Dean, Engineering Student Services
Campus Box 1100
(314) 935-6115
Laurent Stapel
Communications Manager, Career Center
Campus Box 1091
(314) 935-9440
Annette Unser
Director of Market Research, Public Affairs
Campus Box 1070
(314) 935-4623
B.J. Warren
BSBA Academic Advisor, Olin Business School
Campus Box 1133
(314) 935-4691
Lisa Wiland
Associate Director, Institutional Research & Analysis
Campus Box 1144
(314) 935-4786
Aimee Wittman
Director of Career Services, Career Center
Campus Box 1091
(314) 935-4435
Tao Zhang
Academic & Financial Analyst, Institutional Research & Analysis
Campus Box 1145
(314) 935-4787
Campus Beat
A few times per semester, the Assessment Committee sends a random sample of undergraduates a "Campus Beat" survey, which is comprised of questions submitted from various departments across campus. This allows faculty, administrators, and students to collect data without having to create an entire survey for only a few questions. CAUSE takes care of all aspects of survey administration and provides reports to those who submitted questions.
Undergraduate Database
Usually, you can get the information you are looking for by asking a small subset of the population instead of everyone.The Assessment Committee now maintains a database that keeps track of which students are sent which surveys to minimize the frequency with which any individual student is sent a survey request.
Workshop Series
These sessions are open to all students, faculty, and staff. Please RSVP by sending an email to tjbono@wustl.edu.
Assessment 101
Thurs., Oct. 3, 2013, 12–1 p.m. (feel free to bring your lunch), DUC 233
This presentation will introduce participants to key elements of assessment, including writing learning outcomes that are clear and measurable, “dos” and don’ts” of survey questions, and the most effective ways to capture student learning and development using data beyond simple anecdotes and stories.
Intro to Focus Groups
Thurs., Oct. 31, 2013, 12–1 p.m. (feel free to bring your lunch), Olin Library Room 142
Have you heard people talk about running a focus group, but you’re not sure how it all works? Perhaps you’ve tried running a focus group session in the past, and wondered if it might have gone better? This session will provide you with the basics of how to run a focus group, including five important steps: defining your purpose, developing questions, recruiting and preparing participants, conducting the session and analyzing the data. Take-aways include sample focus group questions, recruitment flyers, invitee tracking form, introductory remarks for the moderator, sample consent forms, and a sample data analysis format.
Intro to Campus Labs
Wed., Oct. 16, 2013, 12–1 p.m. (feel free to bring your lunch), DUC 161
Learn about the versatility of Campus Labs (formerly StudentVoice), an assessment resource that is free for all student services staff. We will go over the logistics associated with creating an account, setting up surveys, and collecting data online. In addition, we will discuss other Campus Labs services including webinars, ready-made rubrics, assessment consultation, and the ability to capture assessment data on students’ smartphones to incorporate their data in real time during a presentation or program. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own smartphones if they have them for a brief demonstration.
Additional Resources
Online Resources:
- Student Affairs Assessment Leaders
- Association for Institutional Research
- Higher Learning Commission
Scholarly Articles:
