Why is accreditation important?
What aspects of the university does the Higher Learning Commission evaluate?
What criteria does the Higher Learning Commission use to evaluate universities for accreditation?
How has UIS prepared for accreditation?
Who has been involved in this preparation?
What questions might the site team ask? What information can, or should, be shared with them?
How can I be prepared for the site visit?
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is the process that ensures the academic quality of an institution. Accreditation is voluntarily sought by institutions and is conferred by non-governmental bodies. In the United States, accreditation is provided through a network of geographically located peer professional groups. In Illinois, the group is the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, and UIS has been an accredited member of NCA since 1975.
Why is accreditation important?
Accreditation provides assurance to both the public and prospective students that an organization has been found to meet a recognized accrediting body's clearly stated requirements and criteria.
What aspects of the university does the Higher Learning Commission evaluate?
Because the Higher Learning Commission accredits an entire institution, not just specific programs or departments, the accreditation site team explores not only the academic programming but also the financial, administrative, and interpersonal aspects of the university. The Higher Learning Commission does recognize that universities differ a great deal among themselves, so they are not imposing an isolated vision of what should occur on a campus. Instead, they will be measuring the university against general criteria that apply to higher education as a whole and against the university's own mission statement.
What criteria does the Higher Learning Commission use to evaluate universities for accreditation?
The Higher Learning Commission has a specific list of five criteria that it uses to evaluate institutions. In brief, the criteria are:
Criterion One – Mission and Integrity: The organization operates with integrity to ensure the fulfillment of its mission through structures and processes that involve the board, administration, faculty, staff and students.
Criterion Two – Preparing for the Future: The organization's allocation of resources and its processes for evaluation and planning demonstrate its capacity to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its education, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Criterion Three – Student Learning and Effective Teaching: The organization provides evidence of student learning and teaching effectiveness that demonstrates it is fulfilling its educational mission.
Criterion Four – Acquisition, Discovery and Application of Knowledge: The organization promotes a life of learning for its faculty administration, staff and students by fostering and supporting inquiry, creativity, practice, and social responsibility in ways consistent with its mission.
Criterion Five – Engagement and Service: As called for by its mission, the organization identifies its constituencies and serves them in ways both value.
How has UIS prepared for accreditation?
UIS began preparing for accreditation and the self-study in the fall of 2005 when the Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs appointed three co-chairs of the self-study process. To view a timeline of the process since then, please go here.
Who has been involved in this preparation?
The three co-chairs of the HLC Institutional Self-Study are the Associate Vice Chancellor of Undergraduate Education, a Faculty Associate to the Provost's office, and a faculty member. The members of the Steering Committee were selected in consultation with the Vice Chancellor of Student and Administrative Services and the Chancellor. The committee consists of thirteen members who represent staff, faculty, and administration, each of the four colleges, undergraduate and graduate education, student affairs, institutional research, budget and planning, the assessment task force, library and technology support services, and online education.
What questions might the site team ask? What information can, or should, be shared with them?
Site visitors will explore the university to observe programs and talk to people. They will spend time in a variety of areas of our campus, and they will be sure to talk to faculty, staff, and students. As they do this, the visitors will be likely to ask questions rooted in the five criteria. So, they might ask things like:
When you are asked questions like this, you should answer them candidly and thoughtfully. The interactions of the site team with our faculty, staff, and students will provide the best evidence of our fulfillment of the accreditation criteria.
How can I be prepared for the site visit?
By far, the best way to prepare for the visit is to read the Self-Study Report. The Steering Committee will definitely appreciate your input and feedback, and reading the report provides an opportunity to learn more about the UIS mission and how it has been integrated into our institution. If you would like to provide feedback, you can go here, or feel free to contact the Institutional Self-Study Executive Committee and/or the Reaccreditation Coordinator with any comments or questions.
