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Provost Reports on Accreditation Process
Photos By: Lisa Ventre
The University of Cincinnati is undergoing a two-year self-study as it seeks re-accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, a nongovernmental organization which grants peer-reviewed accreditation and membership in the Higher Learning Commission and in the North Central Association.
This voluntary venture, which takes place every decade, shows UC’s accountability toward demonstrating the national standards that assure a high-quality learning environment, world-renowned scholarship, innovation and service.
Re-accreditation is an open, evidence-based process that requires broad participation from across the university. Anthony J. Perzigian, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, provides the following update.
As detailed in the following timetable, the University of Cincinnati’s self study leading to HLC re-accreditation is proceeding smoothly.
| Anthony J. Perzigian |
Summer 2007: The process begins with the formation of a steering committee and writing teams, chosen to reflect the diverse background and skills of university faculty and administrators.
Autumn 2007: The President and Provost formally launch the self study. In addition, the UC/HLC accreditation Web site becomes the public “front-door” to the process. In October, the steering committee begins to meet monthly to review the progress and data needs of each writing team. Those teams, in turn, assign individual areas of responsibility to their members, begin to meet regularly, collect data and documents, and use Blackboard to facilitate communications.
Winter 2008: Chairs of the writing teams report on their team progress at each steering committee meeting. Format guidelines for criterion drafts are developed and shared. In addition, a permanent inventory of critical data documents and resources is developed within the Blackboard site, and primary contacts for data and information are assigned for each college. In February, representatives from Wright State University (WSU) share their experiences of the self-study process with the steering committee, which determines that WSU’s self-study report will be a model for UC’s self study. To round out the quarter, rooms and spaces are secured for HLC consultant-evaluators to use during their April 2009 site visit.
March 2008: A more detailed HLC communication plan and calendar is finalized and shared with steering committee members. Since communication and transparency are integral to achieving campus-wide understanding and appreciation of the self-study process, regular reports will go out to the University community, whether in person, in print, or via the Web. At the campus level, all interested persons will have access to basic information about the process, including leadership and reports. Campus participation will be accomplished by allowing interested parties, whenever feasible, to attend working sessions, offer suggestions, and provide comments on the process.
Also in March, a writing team examining the University’s commitment to engagement and service announces early results from an online survey e-mailed to various organizations within a 50-mile radius of the university. Issued in online form in late February and conducted through SurveyMonkey software, the survey garnered 172 responses – a 42 percent response rate of the total number of neighborhood associations, community development corporations, co-ops, non-profit social service agencies, businesses or corporations, health-related non-profits, educational institutions and state, regional and governmental organizations. Results from the survey indicate that the University’s regional partners have a positive impression of UC’s ties to the community.
April 2008: Thirteen members of the steering committee travel to Chicago for the HLC Annual Meeting and also attend an intensive self-study workshop.
Late May 2008: UC’s HLC staff liaison, Mary Breslin, will visit the UC campus and plans to meet individually with each writing team as well as with the communication team. Preparations are taking shape at all levels so as to take full advantage of Dr. Breslin’s expertise and insights.
June 9, 2008: Final drafts will be submitted for each criterion writing team. These drafts will be reviewed carefully during the summer, leaving time for revisions and editing in autumn 2008. Also in June, as new freshmen arrive for Summer Orientation, a message about the self study will be included in their Bearcat binders, as the communication process on the self study widens along with the preparation of the report.
