AIEC - Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness Council (AIEC)

Approved: May 2026

Purpose and Authority

The Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness Committee (AIEC) is an advisory body that supports institutional planning, assessment, and effectiveness in alignment with the University’s annual and strategic planning processes. The Committee supports a culture of evidence, institutional learning, continuous improvement, and shared accountability for student success and institutional effectiveness. AIEC does not exercise decision-making authority; rather, it provides analysis, data, and recommendations to inform decisions made by the President, Executive Cabinet, and the University Advisory Council (UAC).

Council Charge

AIEC guides and coordinates institution-wide assessment and effectiveness efforts. The Committee may be charged by the President, Executive Cabinet, or the University Advisory Council and may also identify emerging assessment needs requiring institutional attention. The Committee supports the preparation of the University’s strategic plan and annual priorities and monitors implementation and progress using Middle States standards and other measures of institutional effectiveness.

Responsibilities

Institutional Assessment and Effectiveness

Promote, monitor, and evaluate progress on ongoing institutional renewal and effectiveness.
Monitor and report data reflecting regular assessment of institutional opportunities, strengths, and challenges.
Support the use of assessment results to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

Accreditation and Compliance

Promote, monitor, and evaluate processes that ensure the University meets Middle States accreditation standards for institutional effectiveness.

Planning, Budgeting, and Resource Alignment

Recommend actions to the President, Executive Cabinet, and University Advisory Council for consideration in the budgeting and resource allocation cycle.

Reporting and Communication

Annually communicate information about institutional planning and assessment activities to the University campus community.
Generate a report to University leadership and the University Advisory Council in June to inform the Summer Annual Planning process and the yearly USM Managing for Results (MFR) report.

Membership

Membership shall include representatives from the following administrative and academic units: Administration and Finance, Student Affairs, the Office of the President, Advancement and Regional Engagement, Academic Affairs (including college‑level representation and the Library), and representatives from each shared governance body. Membership shall be approved by the President and Provost.

Additional members may be appointed as needed by the President and/or Provost to ensure appropriate expertise, representation, and institutional alignment.

Officers

The Committee shall have a chair and vice-chair, both appointed by the Provost. Terms of service are determined by the Provost to ensure continuity of leadership.

Meetings

Regular meetings shall occur monthly during the academic year, with additional meetings as needed. Meetings may be conducted in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of appointed members.