Co-Curricular Checklist
2015/16 Update
As the co-curricular contact for your unit, please be sure that the following updates have been
shared with all staff members to ensure a successful transition for the 2015/16 academic year.
Below is a useful checklist to be sure you are aware of the direction we are headed. I would also
encourage you to use these as “talking points” with your staff. If you have any questions or
concerns, do not hesitate to contact me.
Marlene Kowalski-Braun, kowalskm@gvsu.edu, 331-3585
o What is co-curricular?
Co-curricular is the term used to describe initiatives outside of the classroom that support,
complement, and enhance the learning that occurs inside of the classroom. These are
designed within the context of a liberal education, around a robust set of specific learning
outcomes.
o What are learning outcomes?
Based on the work of AAC&U, they are designed around the LEAP (Liberal Education &
America’s Promise) Essential Learning Outcomes and are created to enhance the learning
that occurs in the classroom.
Below are some of the most popular learning outcomes used in designing co-curricular
efforts. There are, however, others that you may find a better fit. A complete list of
LEAP learning outcomes can be found at: http://www.aacu.org/leap/vision.cfm
• Foundations and Skills for Lifelong Learning
• Civic Responsibility
• Integrative Learning
• Critical Thinking
• Intercultural Knowledge and Competence
• Ethical Reasoning
o Is co-curricular only programming?
Co-curricular initiatives are a lot more than programming. The integration of academic
and student affairs can take many forms, from individual efforts to university-wide
initiatives. Examples include:
 Utilizing programming as a tool for classroom learning (e.g. organizing a speaker
around specific course content, co-creating experiential learning that highlights
classroom themes, etc.).
 Partnering with faculty to increase student engagement through support programs,
internships, service-learning, tutoring, student organization membership, Laker
leadership programs, Laker for a Lifetime efforts, etc.
 Mentoring students through tailored programs that serve under-represented students
(e.g. Laker Connections Programs: Mentor programs for Students of Color that
include Brothers, Hermanos, Niara).


Participating in bridge programs that give new students an introduction to college life
or introduce specific skills (e.g. Wade McCree).
Involvement in living-learning communities where students have chosen to live
together in order to expand their education through shared learning experiences.
Each community is built upon a specific theme, major or area of interest and faculty
and student affairs staff work together to create a rich living-learning experience.
o Why do we summarize and collect co-curricular evaluations for programs?
While co-curricular is more than programming, we think this is a primary way that
faculty, across the disciplines, can help students enhance their learning outside the
classroom. We also need to understand how we engage student learning as student
affairs professionals. Please continue to utilize the co-curricular program evaluation. We
encourage you to collect evaluation and outcome data for all your programs, not just
those which are Lib 100 or 201 approved. Please note the changes for this year and
replace all old copies, both for print and electronic versions.
o How do I submit co-curricular program evaluations?
Please use the updated Data Summary Form for 2015-2016. As before, complete these
forms and email to Eric at klingene@gvsu.edu within 2 weeks of the event. He will send
you a confirmation email upon receiving it and follow-up with you if there are any
concerns. The deadline for reporting will be 5/1/2016, data received after that will not be
included in the annual report.
o Who organizes the co-curricular efforts for the division?
We have two large-group collaboration/calendar planning meetings that take place each
semester. We also have a smaller co-curricular committee works together to review best
practices, expand our qualitative assessment of learning outcomes, develop initiatives
with faculty, etc. That smaller committee consists of:
Rachel Becklin, Career Center
Eric Klingensmith, University Counseling Center
Marlene Kowalski-Braun, Dean of Students Office
Colleen Lindsay-Bailey, Housing and Residence Life
Melissa Selby-Theut, University Counseling Center
LeaAnne Tibbe, Office of Student Life
o Where do I post co-curricular programs?
All co-curricular programs should be posted on the University Calendar. Each program
should designate the learning outcomes associated. To post co-curricular events to the
campus calendar please visit www.gvsu.edu/events. Sign in with your GVSU log-in and
password and then click on “Submit an Event.” From there, fill in all relative information
regarding your event. You will not be able to designate your event Lib 100 or Lib 201
unless you have specific permissions. An email will be sent to calendac@gvsu.edu to
notify the University Calendar Administrator that an event needs to be Lib 100/Lib 201
approved. If you have questions, please email Stephanie Collier at calendac@gvsu.edu.
You are encouraged to put ALL programs on the University Calendar as early as
possible. In addition, please use the calendar during the planning stages to avoid
conflicts and duplication.
o How do I select specific Learning Outcomes in the calendar?
When entering your event check the Learning Outcomes box under the “Category”
section, as well as the relevant learning outcome(s) listed below it. If you’ve already
submitted an event, edit your event and follow the steps above to designate your event
with a learning outcome(s). Again, if you have any questions, please contact
calendac@gvsu.edu.
o Are Lib 100 and 201 the two primary classes that we should care about connecting
with for co-curricular programs?
Lib 100 and 201 are two of hundreds of options! The new program evaluation form has a
spot for students to write-in the class connection (if one exists). In 2013/14, 17% of
program attendees that filled out an evaluation were from Lib 100 and 10% were from
Lib 201. Remember that it is up to us to learn more about academic programs and
specific course needs in order to connect our programs to their desired learning outcomes.
We hope to increase the number of courses that students indicate as a reason they
attended a program.
o See attached for Lib 100 and 201 learning outcomes in case you do want to tailor
programs to these courses. Submission guidelines can be found at:
http://www.gvsu.edu/integrativelearning/
Thank you for your commitment to working with faculty to enhance student learning!