AASCU was established primarily to serve as a voice for the students of state colleges and universities. Its purpose is to promote support for public higher education, analyze public policy, advocate for member institutions, provide policy leadership, and create professional development. AASCU recognizes the important role that assessment plays in acquiring valuable information to effect policy change. “Membership is open to any regionally accredited institution of higher education offering programs leading to bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees and wholly or partially state supported or state controlled.”
AASCU currently has three major
programs in which member institutions can voluntarily participate: Voluntary System of Accountability, Teach Education, and American Democracy Project. AASCU also provides
current information on federal and state policies that effect higher education and any advocacy efforts it is engaged in.
Meetings are held throughout the year and focus on the hot topics of higher education. Member institutions are able to attend any of these meetings.
Assessment
AASCU promotes the use of assessment projects and practices in its member institutions to aid in making major decisions on campus. It also showcases those projects that have yielded results and policy change. AASCU highlights the latest trends in higher education in its monthly publication “Policy Matters.”
Footnote:
http://www.aascu.org/index.htm