A Case for ID Card Program Benchmarking and Standards

Presented by

Jörrun ListonDirector

Griz Card CenterThe University of

MontanaMissoula, Montana

Stacey HeneckeSupervisor

Campus Card and C.Store

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

How did we get here?• Jörrun

• Required to do a self-assessment of the Griz Card Center at The University of Montana within the next two years

• Member, NACCU Communications Committee(National Association of Campus Card Users)

• Stacey• Member, NACCU Communications Committee

• NACCU Communications Committee• Developing web survey for member institutions

Ok great…a survey. What information should we collect and how will it help…me

Understanding Terminology

• Benchmarking– Process in which organizations evaluate various

aspects of their processes in relation to best practice, usually within their own sector

– Often treated as a continuous process in which organizations continually seek to challenge their practices

Understanding Terminology• Standards

– Defined broadly to allow for variation among institutions and functional areas

– Represent current indispensable requirements of practice

– Reasonably achievable by any and all programs of quality within all institutions of higher education

– Use must or shall verbs

• Guidelines– Clarify and amplify standards– Guide enhanced practice beyond the essential

levels of the standards– Use should or may verbs

Understanding Terminology

• Assessment– Process of documenting, usually in measurable

terms, knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs – Evaluate functional areas or entire divisions

– Uses standards

Why do a self-assessment?

• Internally driven • Supports staff development • You are in the best position to evaluate your

programs and services (you get the opportunity first)

• Recognition and rewards are made locally but often are not acknowledged unless from afar

• Develops a shared vision among various constituents

• Because the VP said so

Self-Assessment

Seven Basic Steps1. Establish and prepare the Self-Assessment

Team2. Initiate the Self-Study3. Identify and Summarize Evaluative Evidence4. Identify Discrepancies5. Determine Appropriate Correction Action6. Recommend Special Actions for Program

Enhancement7. Prepare an Action Plan

Self Assessment

Step 1Establish and prepare the Self-Assessment Team

The team should be familiar with the national standards of the functional area it is assessing.

Strike One

Since we’re in Padre land

Step 2

• All members need to understand and interpret each standard in similar fashion.

Strike Two

In honor of the Midway…

Step 3

• Initiate the Self-StudyThe team should rate the criterion measures, which reflect the essence of the standards.

Strike Three

One of San Diego’s finest

So how did I feel….

Why develop standards?• Aside from the fact that I need them• Used to study and evaluate a functional area

common to other institutions of higher education• Ensure that staff members understand their role

and function• Staff Development• Develop knowledge and skills essential for good

practice• Program development or enhancement

• Credibility

Who already has CAS standards?

(over 30 to date, with more in development - I’ve listed only the first 20)

• Academic Advising• Admission Programs and

Services• Alcohol, Tobacco and Other

Drug Program• Campus Activities• Campus Information and

Visitor Services• Career Services• College Health Services• College Unions• Commuter Student

Programs

• Conference and Event Programs

• Counseling Services• Disability Support Services• Distance Education Programs• Financial Aid Programs• Fraternity and Sorority

Advising• Housing and Residential Life • International Student

Programs• Judicial Programs• Leadership Program• Learning Assistance

Programs

What are the standards for developing standards?

1. Mission2. Program3. Leadership4. Organization and

Management5. Human Resources6. Financial Resources7. Facilities, Technology

and Equipment

8. Legal Responsibilities9. Equity and Access10. Diversity11. Campus and External

Relations12. Ethics13. Assessment and

Evaluation

Standards ExamplesCareer Services (CAS)

PART 4. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION (Criterion Measures)

4.1 The program is structured purposefully and managed effectively.

4.2 Written policies, procedures, performance expectations, workflow graphics, and clearly stated delivery expectations are in place.

4.3 Effective management practice exists that includes access to and use of relevant data, clear channels of authority, and viable communications, accountability, and evaluation systems.

4.4 Channels are in place for regular review of administrative policies and procedures.

Standards ExamplesCareer Services (NACE) Nat’l Assn of Colleges and

Employers

69. The place of the career services function in the overall organization of the institution must support the mission of career services.

70. Since the organization structure of career services must be designed to support its mission, reporting relationships, internally to the department and externally to the institution, should relate to desired student outcomes.

71. The career services function must be organized to develop positive relationships with students; academic, administrative, and student affairs colleagues; employers; and alumni.

72. The careers services office should be structured appropriately to ensure that its programs and services function effectively.

73. The outcomes of the career services program should be reflected in its mission statement.

74. The institution should integrate student career development services with student employer services.

Action plan

• Talk with Blackboard Users

• Talk with NACCU

• Approach other card system users as their user conferences occur. Use the NACCU Communication Committee members.

• Engage with CAS? Others?

To sum it all up….

Who’s with us?

Discussion

• Standards before benchmarking?

• Is anyone else interested in using standards?

• Is anyone else interested in developing standards?

• Who should do it?– CAS? NACCU? Us?

References & Further Reading• Professional Standards for College and University Career Services

(National Association of Colleges and Employers)

• The Book of Professional Standards for Higher Education, Self-assessment guides (Council for Advancement of Standards for Higher Education)

• Jennifer Dowling Dougherty, William Clebsch, Greg Anderson, Management by Fact: Benchmarking University IT Services (Educause Quarterly, Number 1 2004).

• Frank Connolly, It’s Not The Change, It’s the Difference: Evaluating Technology on Campus (Educause Quarterly Number 4 2005).

• G. Kendell Rice, Datatel, Inc., Donna C. Taylor, Datatel, Inc., Continuous Improvement Strategies in Higher Education: A Progress Report (Educause Volume 2003, Issue 20)

Thank You!Jörrun Liston

DirectorGriz Card Center

The University of MontanaMissoula, Montana

Stacey HeneckeSupervisorCampus Card and C.StoreKirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids, Iowa