Assessment Details
Academic Year: 2019-2020 Level: Undergraduate
Campus Department: Mission & Ministry [UG and Grad]
Program Type: Co-Curricular Program [UG and Grad]
Program Name: Christian Life Community (Link)
Description of Data Collection:
We used several methods for gathering evidence for achieving learning outcomes.
1. Data was collected from transcripts of two focus groups: one CLC leader focus group and one participant focus group, with at least ten participants in each two hour session. Philosophy Professor Dave Manzo conducted the two focus groups. Professor Dave Manzo had no prior knowledge or awareness of the program. Other evidence was collected from Boston College University Mission and Ministry Assessment Report June 2019.
2. In addition to the focus groups, we also analyzed data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), the College Senior Survey (CSS-2016 &2017), the Boston College Undergraduate Experience Questionnaire (BCUEQ) and the survey on Post-Graduate Plans (PGP).
3. Results from focus groups were then analyzed by our assessment team of Burt Howell, Director of Intersections, Ryan Heffernan, Associate Director Campus Minister for Arrupe International Program and Andrew Basler, Assistant Director of ‘First Year Experience’ Program, who offered valuable feedback and
4. insight into data and transcripts in assessment of SLOs.
Review Process:
A University Mission & Ministry Assessment Team met regularly over a two year period to determine changes to the program in order to achieve a greater success of CLC participants achieving student learning outcomes. (See list of team members from question 3 above.)There was extensive review, analysis of transcripts from focus groups, questionnaires, discussion and feedback from team meetings.
Resulting Program Changes:
a. After evaluating data and information it was determined the idea of ‘communal discernment’ from SLO #1 has not been achieved. A process of practicing ‘rounds of listening’ defines ‘Communal discernment’. During a meeting, members are given a scripture passage. The first round of listening asks ‘what do you notice or hear from the reading?’ The second round asks ‘what did you hear from what others shared and from reading it again?’ The third round asks ‘where do you hear a consolation or invitation to act from our time together?’
b. It was also determined that many leaders did not integrate using scripture and the imagination in their groups.
In order to address shortcomings revealed in achieving SLOs for CLC, I propose the following changes to the CLC program.
#1. Twice a month formational gatherings (in addition to the monthly Sunday gatherings) of 6-8 leaders to practice and more explicitly teach ‘3 rounds of listening’, and ‘applying imagination and scripture to experiences’. These meetings will serve the goals of:
a. Building deeper community with new and returning leaders
(desire articulated several times in focus groups)
b. Practicing ‘communal discernment’ using scripture reading and imagination (SLO #1 & #3)
c. Discovering God in their everyday experiences.
#2. CLC groups will begin implementing the last round of sharing a grace/consolation/invitation the last five minutes of the meeting. In addition, many sessions will ask specifically ‘where are you being invited to act on being a more inclusive Christian Life Community in the world?’ This will serve the goal of, focusing on personal biases and judgments and serve to challenge members to be more inclusive and serve others.
There was a significant articulation and clarity of SLOs heard in the focus groups since assessment of CLC 5 years ago, specifically improvement in SLO #2. Not only did members join CLC and then go on to join other social justice programs like Arrupe and Appa but members also articulated that they bring conversations they have in CLC to their roommates, other friend groups in their life and to their families. Members shared being ‘more open’, taking risks in relationships in general, and faith being a ‘way of life’ that is more expansive, comprehensive and personal. Data from the surveys supports this finding especially with respect to ‘growing through experiences that connected social, spiritual and intellectual sides’ with 76% of CLC participants responding affirmatively as opposed to 57% in the non-participant category. Similar percentage spreads were also found with questions incorporating Jesuit values like ‘finding God in all things’ and ‘faith playing an important role in decisions I will make in life’.
Date of Most Recent Program Review:
a. After evaluating data and information it was determined the idea of ‘communal discernment’ from SLO #1 has not been achieved. A process of practicing ‘rounds of listening’ defines ‘Communal discernment’. During a meeting, members are given a scripture passage. The first round of listening asks ‘what do you notice or hear from the reading?’ The second round asks ‘what did you hear from what others shared and from reading it again?’ The third round asks ‘where do you hear a consolation or invitation to act from our time together?’
b. It was also determined that many leaders did not integrate using scripture and the imagination in their groups.
In order to address shortcomings revealed in achieving SLOs for CLC, I propose the following changes to the CLC program.
#1. Twice a month formational gatherings (in addition to the monthly Sunday gatherings) of 6-8 leaders to practice and more explicitly teach ‘3 rounds of listening’, and ‘applying imagination and scripture to experiences’. These meetings will serve the goals of:
a. Building deeper community with new and returning leaders
(desire articulated several times in focus groups)
b. Practicing ‘communal discernment’ using scripture reading and imagination (SLO #1 & #3)
c. Discovering God in their everyday experiences.
#2. CLC groups will begin implementing the last round of sharing a grace/consolation/invitation the last five minutes of the meeting. In addition, many sessions will ask specifically ‘where are you being invited to act on being a more inclusive Christian Life Community in the world?’ This will serve the goal of, focusing on personal biases and judgments and serve to challenge members to be more inclusive and serve others.
There was a significant articulation and clarity of SLOs heard in the focus groups since assessment of CLC 5 years ago, specifically improvement in SLO #2. Not only did members join CLC and then go on to join other social justice programs like Arrupe and Appa but members also articulated that they bring conversations they have in CLC to their roommates, other friend groups in their life and to their families. Members shared being ‘more open’, taking risks in relationships in general, and faith being a ‘way of life’ that is more expansive, comprehensive and personal. Data from the surveys supports this finding especially with respect to ‘growing through experiences that connected social, spiritual and intellectual sides’ with 76% of CLC participants responding affirmatively as opposed to 57% in the non-participant category. Similar percentage spreads were also found with questions incorporating Jesuit values like ‘finding God in all things’ and ‘faith playing an important role in decisions I will make in life’.
Attachments (if available)