This chapter focuses on how the climate of accountability in higher education is compelling student affairs organizations to develop comprehensive assessment programs, the challenges faced in creating those programs, and ways student affairs professionals can meet those challenges. For the purpose of this chapter, the author has defined assessment in student affairs as the process of collecting and analyzing information to improve the conditions of student life, student learning, or the quality and efficiency of services and programs provided for students. This definition includes assessment done to improve programs and to provide information necessary to answer questions that hold student affairs accountable for the expenditure of student funds. It does not include various forms of personnel evaluations, which could be part of an overall assessment plan.