Certain student support areas of RMU are members of industry trade groups that have established standards to govern the quality of the services offered to students. RMU's Office of Student Life has been very proactive in embracing the standards established by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) for various aspects of student life. CAS provides standards for 35 functional areas of student support services including alcohol and drug programs, career services, orientation programs, and many other areas.

Evaluation of conformance with CAS standards is done through an internal self-study (rather than independent third-party audit) of a particular department. The Outcomes Assessment Plan (2001 Plan and 2007 Plan) for Student Life involves a number of measures, including a periodic review of its functions, services and department responsibilities. The Office of Student Life began using the CAS Professional Standards for Higher Education in 2001. Each year Student Life identifies 1, 2 or 3 areas to review. The reviews involve establishing a small committee to include, staff, faculty, students, and external colleagues as appropriate.

During the CAS Review, the committee reviews all services, resources, and website information, interviews relevant staff, students, and faculty, and, using the standards, ranks the various categories. A report is written by the committee which provides strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations for improvement. The report is included in Student Life's annual report, and the recommendations are considered for one-year goals, five-year goals, and beyond. Of the 34 standards, RMU has completed 11, and plans 3 reviews for next year. Student Life is also reviewing reports that were completed in 2003 and will consider a 5 year review of these programs for Fall 09.

Not all CAS standards relate to Student Life (e.g.: CAS 01, Academic Advising, CAS 02, Admissions Programs, CAS 21, International Student Programs). Student Life focuses only on those that have a direct service impact in its area of responsibility.

To date, Student Life has completed 11 CAS reviews. Please note that the date in parentheses is the date the review was completed. Several were started in a previous year and carried over until completion, which explains the number completed in Summer 05.

CAS 03: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Programs (Fall 2007)
CAS 06: Campus Religious and Spiritual Programs (Summer 2005)
CAS 07: Career Services (Summer 2005)
CAS 13: Counseling Services (Fall 2005)
CAS 14: Disability Support Services (Summer 2005)
CAS 18 Fraternity and Sorority Advising Programs (Spring 2008)
CAS 20: Housing and Residential Life Programs (Fall 2003)
CAS 23: Learning Assistance Programs (Summer 2005)
CAS 25: Multicultural Student Programs and Services (Fall 2008)
CAS 28: Recreational Sports Programs (Summer 2005)
CAS 31: Student Conduct Programs - Judicial Affairs (Fall 2003)

Plans for upcoming reviews include:

CAS 26: Orientation Programs (with Enrollment) (Academic Year 2009-10)
CAS 32: Student Leadership Programs (Academic Year 2009-10)

One Standard that was audited in Fall, 2003, CAS 20 will also be revisited in 2009-10.