Retreat grant funding is available “Closing the Assessment Loop” funding is available to academic departments conducting assessment retreats. The best and most useful assessment occurs when there’s a mechanism for regular conversations about data collected. These retreats are intended to make that possible by providing opportunities to bring faculty together to review, discuss, and use findings from assessment efforts. Funding has been provided through the office of the VPAA/Provost to support assessment through such retreats, up to a maximum of $500 per retreat. Funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for qualifying academic departments as long as dollars remain available (this is 2008-09 funding, and dollars awarded must be expended within this fiscal year). Funds awarded may be used for food (consistent with University guidelines regarding retreats), materials, duplicating, and/or faculty stipends for pre-retreat organization, retreat facilitation, or data analysis. (Note: Budgets which include stipends should account for benefit costs within the request.) To apply for retreat funding, please submit a one- to two-page memo that includes a proposed retreat agenda and budget, as well as a narrative description of both. Also include a letter of support from the chair (unless the chair is submitting the proposal). Inquiries or applications should be directed to Joan Hawthorne <joan_hawthorne@und.nodak.edu> or 777-4684. Proposals will be acted on within two weeks of receipt as long as funding remains available. -- Joan Hawthorne, Assistant Provost, Academic Affairs, joan_hawthorne@und.nodak.edu, 7-4684