Although each college designs its own structure for CLIPs, here is how they typically work.

First, a CLIP forms around an issue related to student learning and success that its members wish to investigate through an inquiry.

Each CLIP is made up of 3-9 faculty and staff who work together for at least one year. Although students and administrators sometimes participate in a CLIP, they more frequently serve as sources of information for a CLIP. One or two CLIP members serve as the CLIP Facilitator.

In any given year, about 4-8 CLIPs are likely to be operating at a college. A person designated as the CLIP Guide coordinates the overall CLIP work on campus. The CLIP Guide may be an assessment coordinator, member of the college’s assessment committee, or a faculty member with this specific responsibility.

Once a CLIP has identified its focus, members, and who will be the CLIP Facilitator, the CLIP prepares an application to be a CLIP. The application is submitted to the college’s CLIP Guide by the person who has agreed to be the CLIP Facilitator.

CLIP members typically receive a stipend for participation and a budget to carry out their planned inquiry. Each college determines the budgeted amount.