Graduation Date
Spring 1995
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Art
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Sing Chew
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Jerrald D. Krause
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Fourth Committee Member Name
Dr. Susan H. Bicknell
Keywords
Art
Subject Categories
Art
Abstract
This evaluation is to provide the Associated Students President with an assessment of the implementation of the mission of the Associated Students (which is to provide programs and services that stimulate the educational, social, physical, and cultural well-being of the University Community), by evaluating the effectiveness (impact) of identified individual programs and services funded by the Associated Students fee. Because the Associated Students funds a variety of programs and services through a mandatory fee, the Associated Students President has requested this evaluation for information on the utilization of these fees in student funded activities. These programs and services are designed for the purpose of providing essential activities closely related to, but not normally included as part of the institutional educational program. The principle underlying the expenditure of these funds collected through this mandatory fee is that such expenditures shall be made in programs that reflect the broadest variety of student interests. The information obtained in this evaluation is to aid the Associated Students President, and ultimately the Associated Students Council, in answering the following questions: (1) are student body funds being allocated to programs and services that foster the Associated Students mission, and (2) is the program/service effective? Within this broad objective, the key issues determined for evaluation were: Issue I) Program and Service Mission Implementation Issue II) Effectiveness of Program and Service The first issue focused on the implementation of the Associated Students mission. It included an assessment of how well the mission of the Associated Students is being implemented through the programs and services the Associated Students funds. This required a review of the mission of the funded program/service to see how their objectives related to the Associated Students. It also required examining how well the mission of the funded program manifests itself in the program components and activities offered. Also, a review of the management of program funds according to program mandate and funding criteria was undertaken. The second issue is concerned with the effectiveness of the program. Does the program stimulate the educational, social, physical, and cultural well-being of the University community? This included an assessment of student participation in these programs on student learning and development. Also, a review of the clients served reactions to the levels and types of programs/services that are provided was undertaken. Recognizing that it would not be feasible to evaluate all of the Associated Students programs, three programs were identified for evaluation. Specific programs targeted for evaluation are the Adult Re-Entry Center (ARCH), Humboldt Legal Center (HLC), and one program within Youth Educational Services (YES) named Community Companions. For issue I, the program and service mission implementation assessment, the activity entailed a review of program files, documents such as annual reports highlighting milestones, number of clients served, budget proposals, and financial statements. Additionally, open-ended interviews were conducted with program directors to corroborate and expand upon the information in the documents. For issue II, the assessment of the program and service effectiveness, also used a variety of methods. The assessment of the impact of student participation in co-curricular activities on student development utilized three methods. These included: 1) a literature review of relevant studies and theories regarding the impact of student involvement in student activities (co-curricular) on learning and development, 2) open-ended interviews with program directors to determine impact, and 3) a survey of staff (including volunteers) at staff meetings. The assessment of the clients' reactions to the levels and types of programs provided utilized also three methods. These included: 1) open-ended interviews with program directors to determine their perception of customer satisfaction, 2) a follow-up with clients via a self-administered questionnaire distributed to clients served during a specific time-period, and 3) a review of program files, including funding proposals and annual reports, to determine number of clients served. The primary conclusion of this evaluation is that the mission of the Associated Students is being implemented through the programs and services funded by the Associated Students fee. The findings show that the mission of each program selected for evaluation fits with the mission of the Associated Students, that the mission components are being implemented through the activities provided, and that the program funds are being managed according to the funding criteria as established by the Associated Students Council. Findings also indicate an overall positive impact on students involved in these programs and services on their learning and development of skill areas. In addition, there is an overwhelming positive reaction to the levels and types of services provided by the clients served.
Recommended Citation
Tyson, Joan C., "Associated Students of Humboldt State University: An Evaluation of Selected Programs and Services Provided" (1995). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2494.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2494