Accreditation Chronicle 2012 HLC Self Study

Creating the Future: Transforming Lives

To Lead and To Serve

Vol. 1, No. 1 • December 2009

Welcome! Self-Study begins! This is the first issue of Shepherd University’s Accreditation Chronicle. In preparation for the 2012 visit by the Higher Learning Commission, the purpose of this newsletter will be to provide information to the Shepherd University community about self-study and reaccreditation process and to address issues related to these efforts. We invite you to forward any suggestions you have for topics to be addressed in future updates.

Dr. Scott Beard, HLC Self-Study Chair sbeard@shepherd.edu

Who is accrediting Shepherd University? The North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the NCA is responsible for evaluating Shepherd University for its

institutional-level accreditation.

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Shepherd University has been accredited since 1950 by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges, one of the six regional agencies that accredit U.S. colleges and universities at the institutional level.

Accreditation provides assurance to the public and to prospective students that standards of quality have been met.

A team from the commission will visit Shepherd University during the 2011-12 academic year to evaluate whether the University continues to meet the requirements for accreditations.

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What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a process by which an institution’s formal educational activities are evaluated against criteria established by the accrediting agency. This includes a broad study of university governance and administration, financial stability, admissions and student services, institutional resources, student academic achievement, institutional effectiveness, and relationships with constituencies inside and outside the institution.

Why is it important?

Maintenance of accreditation is important for a variety of reasons. It certifies that Shepherd University complies with minimum standards for institutions of higher learning. Accreditation provides assurance to the public and to prospective students that standards of quality have been met.

General reviews for accreditation status are conducted at least once every ten years. Shepherd’s last accreditation visit was in 2002.

What are the features of the process?

There are two major components to the accreditation process: A wide-ranging self-study document which evaluates Shepherd University against accreditation standards and a site visit from an HLC team in 2012.

Serving the common good. . .

The mission of the Higher Learning Commission is to serve the

common good by assuring and advancing the quality of higher learning.

Guiding the work of the commission into the future are the core values

of quality, integrity, innovation, diversity, inclusiveness, service, collaboration, and learning, each being of equal weight and

volume.

Learn more about the HLC by going to its website

www.ncahlc.org

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Communication Philosophy

The HLC/NCA self-study process demonstrates what is a core element of the overall institutional approach to strategic and academic planning, continuous improvement, and accountability. The self-study invites a culture of participation, representation, and shared dialogue about outcomes assessment, quality and continuous improvement.

Therefore, the self-study communication plan complements the established Shepherd University governance and joint communication-consultant processes including faculty, staff, student, and community stakeholders.

TheHLC/NCAre­accreditationprocesswillbebasedontwoguidingprinciples:

TransparencyParticipation

TransparencywillbeaccomplishedthroughregularreportstotheUniversitycommunity,whetherinperson,inprint,orviatheWeb.Allinterestedpersonswillhaveaccesstobasicinformationabouttheprocessincludingleadership,meetingschedules,reportsanddata.

Participationwillbeaccomplishedbyallowinginterestedparties,wherefeasible,toattendworkingsessions,offersuggestions,andprovidecommentontheprocess.

Meet the Team Members Executive Steering Committee: Dr. Suzanne Shipley, President, Shepherd University Dr. Richard Helldobler, VPAA Dr. Scott Beard, HLC Self-Study Coordinator Dr. Jason Best, President, Faculty Senate Dr. Sally Brasher, Department of History, Committee Secretary Dr. Russell Porter, Dean, Graduate Studies Sara Maene, Director, Institutional Research Arts & Humanities: Dr. Mark Cook, Dr. Rob Parkinson Business & Social Sciences: Dr. Momodou Darboe, Dr. Stephanie Slocum-Schaffer Education & Professional Studies: Dr. Rosalie Baretta, Dr. Clarisse Ottley Natural Sciences & Mathematics: Dr. Ruth Conley, Dr. Seung-Yun Kim

Writing Teams and HLC Committee Team Members

The steering committee, the VPAA and the NCA/HLC self-study coordinator appoint members of the writing teams and other committees jointly.

Team members are selected based on their expertise, interdisciplinary focus, and ability to represent Shepherd University’s academic programs.

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What can I do? What can my department or school do to aid the accreditation processs?

The self-study is nothing without the people who participate in it. HLC/NCA website: www.nca/hlc.org

Become familiar with the four themes and five criteria.

Keep minutes of all departmental, school and organizational meetings.

Keep detailed and accurate records of your department’s curricular reform and assessment process

By the time of our 2012 self-study visit, the process will be completely paperless!

WRITING TEAMS

Criterion One: Mission and Integrity:. Jason Best, Gordon DeMeritt, Diane Melby, Ed Snyder • Team Leader: Scott Beard Criterion Two: Preparing for the Future: Kim Scranage, Rhonda Smith, Randall Friend, Meg Galligan • Team Leader: Ed Magee Criterion Three: Student Learning and Effective Teaching: Dot Hively, Tauna Cole, Tuncer Gocmen, Barbara Kemerer • Team Leader: Laura Renninger Criterion Four: Acquisition, Discovery and Application of Knowledge: Dow Benedict, John Sheridan, Ann Henriksson, Sylvia Shurbutt, Judi McIntyre, Team Leader: Colleen Nolan Criterion Five: Engagement and Service: Holly Frye, Karen Green, Rachel Meads, Richard Stevens • Team Leader: Sharon Kipetz Technology/Graphic Design Committee: Tim Haines, Erik Jones, Kristin Kaineg, Monica Larson, Lauryl Lewis, Kevin Williams Document Room: Barbara Maxwell and Laura Neal (coordinators), Cheryl Layton, Nancy Cowherd Proof Readers: J. B. Tuttle, Sylvia Shurbutt Academic Coordinating Committee The Academic Coordinating Committee oversees the review, coordination, and approval of academic programs for the University. The committee is represented by: Richard Helldobler (VPAA), Larry Daily (Chair of the General Studies Committee), Ann Legreid (Dean, Business & Social Sciences, Chair of LEAP team).

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Criterion One: Mission and Integrity: The University operates with integrity to ensure the fulfillment of its mission through structures and processes that involve the board, the administration, faculty, staff, and students.

Criterion Two: Preparing for the Future: The University’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.

The Five Criteria for Accreditation

Criterion Three: Student Learning and Effective Teaching: The University 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 University 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 University identifies its constituencies and serves them in ways that all value.

Shepherd University Mission Statement and Statement of Core Values Shepherd University, a West Virginia public liberal arts university, is a diverse community of learners and a gateway to the world of opportunities and ideas. We are the regional center for academic, cultural, and economic opportunity. Our mission of service succeeds because we are dedicated to our core values: learning, engagement, integrity, accessibility, and community.

For more details about the Shepherd University Mission Statement, go to:

www.shepherd.edu/ university/about/mission.html

Att’n: Dr. Scott Beard HLC Self-Study Chair P.O. Box 5000 Shepherdstown, WV 25443-5000

Accreditation Chronicle Vol. 1, No. 1 • December 2009

Shepherd University HLC Self-Study

Creating the Future: Transforming Lives to Lead

and to Serve

Visit us on the Web: www.shepherd.edu/accreditation