Welcome
Overview
An overview of the Foundations of Excellence® in the First College Year Self-Study:
- The Foundations of Excellence project is intended to engage the CMU community in evaluating and improving the overall experience of first-year students.
- Though extensive research, the Policy Center on the First Year of College developed nine aspirational standards of excellence, termed Foundational Dimensions. These Foundational Dimensions constitute an evidence based model that links academic and student affairs personnel in a collegial process to evaluate the current status of the campus in regard to the first year experience and produce a plan of institutional change and improvement.
- The process of this self-study extends beyond unit level assessment to comprehensive assessment and focuses on institutional behavior rather than student behavior.
- Two surveys, developed by the Policy Center and Educational Benchmarking, Inc., will be administered early in the self-study process. These surveys capture the views of faculty, staff, and first-year students.
- Using an advanced technology platform, task force members will record data, communicate findings and share recommendations collaboratively with campus colleagues and other higher education professionals throughout the US.
- The entire process is well supported by faculty and staff at CMU as well as an individual staff member from the Policy Center who is assigned to CMU to provide on-site and off-site consultation and coaching during the self-study, compilation of findings and any change initiatives that emerge as a result of the study.
