ALO Newsletter

October 2010

Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680

In This Issue…

Annual Conference Slated for December 8-10 Welcome to New Commissioners American Council on Education Responds to Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Substantive Change Policy to Reflect New Accreditation Provisions of the HEOA MSCHE Fields Complaints Regarding Member Institutions Openings for Two Positions on MSCHE Senior Staff Noting Accreditation Status in Print and Electronic Communications MSCHE Vice President to Speak at Assessment Institute Resources for New ALOs

Annual Conference Slated for December 8-10Implementing an Effective Accreditation Process, the 2010 MSCHE annual conference, is scheduled for December 8-10, 2010 at the Philadelphia Marriott-Downtown Hotel in Philadelphia, PA. This year’s conference will feature outstanding plenary speakers, a “town hall” style session, breakout sessions on important accreditation topics, and a vibrant exhibit hall (the exhibit space was sold out in early August). In addition, five pre-conference workshops will be available.

Kirwan Eaton Middaugh Sibolski Gibralter

Kicking off the conference on Wednesday evening, December 8, will be the opening plenary speaker, Dr. William E. Kirwan, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, who will discuss The Present and Future of Higher Education Regional Accreditation. The Thursday, December 9 plenary session, The Evolving Nature of MSCHE and Accreditation, will feature Dr. Michael F. Middaugh, MSCHE Chair; Dr. Elizabeth H. Sibolski, MSCHE President, and other Commissioners. Dr. Jonathan Gibralter, Conference Chair, MSCHE Commissioner, and Frostburg State University President, will moderate the session. The closing plenary session on Friday, December 10, will feature Dr. Judith Eaton, President of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). She will address Accreditation, Accountability, and Our Relationship with Government.

The 35 concurrent sessions will cover a diverse range of topics, including two sessions on Implementing the Accreditation Provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. Other concurrent sessions include the Periodic Review Report: Re-accreditation at the Mid-Point, Substantive Change Policy and Process, Painless Periodic Review, Achieving the Dream and Fulfilling MSCHE Accreditation Requirements, Linking Institutional Academic Assessment Activities to Better Understand Outcomes and Inform Planning, Understanding MSCHE Expectations for Governance, Understanding the Landscape of Learning Assessment Technologies, Responding to Extreme Changes Between Self-Study and the Evaluation Visit, Closing the Loop on Standards 7 and 14, Understanding MSCHE Expectations for Assessment, Measuring and Documenting Institutional Effectiveness in Non-teaching Units, Role and Responsibilities of the Accreditation Liaison Officer, Fast-Track Academic Assessment in a Silo Environment, and A Practical Guide for First-time Chairs of Decennial Reviews.

Also included are the A-B-Cs of an Effective Self-Study Communication Process, Cultivating a Campus Environment for Assessment, Two Principles of Effective Assessment, Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Strategies for the Student Affairs Professional, Developing the Self-Study Document Using Integrated Assessment Briefs, Keeping Students on the Path to Graduation Through Organized Assessment, Building an Assessment Infrastructure from the Ground Up, Orchestrating a Team Site Visit Without Antacids, Rebounding and Moving Forward Following a Monitoring Report Requirement, Strategies for Designing a Self-Study When Both Professional and Regional Accreditation Standards Exist on Campus, MSCHE Follow-up Reporting Expectations, Assessing General Education, The Assessment of Writing Ability at a Science and Technology University, Standard 13 for Evaluators, The Academic Program Review: Bridging Standards 7 and 14, Beyond Retention: Enhancing Student Success, and Successful Strategies for Adjunct and Non-Traditional Faculty.

A new feature of the conference this year will be the availability of 15-minute appointments for institutional representatives to meet with MSCHE vice presidents. These sessions will be available between 2:15 and 4:30 pm on Thursday, December 9. Details on the scheduling of these appointments will be available in the final program.

The five pre-conference workshops, available for additional fees, include A Basic Toolbox for Assessing Institutional Effectiveness, Becoming An Assessment Facilitator, Understanding and Using Student Learning Assessment Results, Starting a Compliance Program, and Self-Study: Writing the Report and Preparing for the Team.

Of special note, each institution’s designated Accreditation Liaison Officer should plan to attend the ALO breakfast on Thursday morning, December 9, from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. This breakfast is open only to institution-designated ALOs, and pre-registration is required. Due to space limitations, those who are not pre-registered will be unable to attend the ALO breakfast.

To see the entire conference program or to register for the 2010 MSCHE annual conference, click here.

Welcome to New CommissionersVoting was recently completed for several positions on the Commission. Ballots were mailed in early September to the chief executive officers of all MSCHE institutions. The official slate of candidates was developed following a call for nominations from the MSCHE membership, screening by the Commission’s Committee on Membership, and selection of candidates who are representative of the public and the diverse institutions served by MSCHE.

Newly elected to terms beginning January 1, 2011 and ending December 31, 2013, were Dr. Jo Allen, Senior Vice President and Provost at Widener University (PA); and Dr. Eduardo Marti,

Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges, City University of New York. Four Commissioners who had been filling unexpired terms were elected to their first full terms on the Commission. They are Dr. Robert Clark, Professor of Allied Health/Science at Cumberland County College (NJ); Mr. David Rhodes, President of the School of Visual Arts (NY); Dr. Jose Jaime Rivera, President of the University of the Sacred Heart in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Dr. Karen Stout, President of Montgomery County Community College (PA). All of the new Commissioners have extensive experience working with MSCHE as peer evaluators.

Commissioners Henry Mauermeyer, Senior Vice President for Administration at NJ Institute of Technology; and Dr. Melissa Vayda, Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Central Pennsylvania College, were elected to second terms on the Commission. Dr. R. Barbara Gitenstein, President of The College of New Jersey and Vice Chair of the Commission, was elected to a third term on the Commission.

American Council on Education Responds to Notice of Proposed RulemakingMolly Corbett Broad, President of the American Council on Education (ACE), sent a letter on behalf of more than 70 higher education associations and accrediting agencies to the U.S. Department of Education on August 2, 2010, offering comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) the Department had published in the Federal register on June 18. The letter offers general observations as well as comments on the Department’s proposed credit hour definition, state authorization, student protection from institutional misrepresentation, incentive compensation, gainful employment, and attendance requirements. The 14-page letter goes into detail about institutional and organizational concerns regarding the language of the proposed regulations. The Department of Education plans to review all public comments, issue final regulations later this year, and implement the remaining provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act on July 1, 2011. To read the entire ACE letter, click here.

Substantive Change Policy to Reflect New Accreditation Provisions of the HEOAThe Commission is in the process of modifying its Substantive Change policy in response to the accreditation provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. The revised policy will clarify Commission requirements regarding Substantive Change to reflect the federal regulations that determine if an institutional change is “substantive.” At this time, the Commission is not modifying the process for submission or approval of Substantive Change proposals.

MSCHE institutions will note the following new provisions of the HEOA added to the existing Substantive Change policy requirements that will require approval prior to implementation:

The addition of courses or programs that represent a significant departure from existing offerings;

The addition of programs of study at a degree or credential level different from the current accreditation scope;

The initiation or expansion of distance education or correspondence education wherein 50 percent or more of the courses or credits in one or more academic programs are provided through the alternative delivery;

The closure of an institution, branch campus, or additional location requiring a teach-out plan and/or teach-out agreement for approval;

The initiation of a contractual agreement wherein 25 percent of one or more educational programs is provided by an unaccredited institution, corporation, or other entity.

The Commission will be separately reviewing its processes for submission and approval of Substantive Change proposals. Watch future editions of this newsletter for further details.

MSCHE Fields Complaints Regarding Member InstitutionsU.S. Department of Education regulations require that regional accreditors have policies in place to field complaints from the public regarding member and candidate institutions. During 2009 MSCHE received 68 complaints, and during 2010 (through October 5), the Commission had received 67 complaints. While several complaints resulted in the Commission staff asking institutions to provide additional information so the complaints could be properly analyzed, the majority of the complaints fell outside the purview of the Commission.

Individuals can submit at any time information regarding an institution’s alleged non-compliance with Commission requirements of affiliation, accreditation standards, or policies. Complaints can also be lodged regarding an institution’s alleged non-compliance with its own policies or procedures. The Commission expects individuals to first attempt to resolve issues through the institution’s own published grievance procedures. Therefore, the Commission’s practice is to not consider a complaint which is currently in administrative proceedings with a municipal, state or federal agency; in institutional proceedings; or in litigation. When formal complaints are submitted to the Commission, they must be submitted in writing and signed by the complainant. The Commission will not act on anonymous complaints.

The Commission’s complaint processes are not intended to be used to involve the Commission in disputes between individuals and affiliated institutions, or to cause the Commission to interpose itself as a reviewing authority in individual matters of admission, grades, granting or transferability of credits, application of academic policies, fees or other financial matters, disciplinary matters, contractual rights and obligations, personnel decisions, or similar matters. Nor does the Commission seek any type of compensation, damages, readmission, or any other redress on an individual’s behalf (the complete policy on Complaints Involving Member and Candidate Institutions can be viewed by clicking here). Despite these restrictions, many complaints submitted to the Commission are related to matters noted above. In the rare case where the Commission staff must contact an institution for additional information needed to analyze a complaint, the correspondence is sent to the President/CEO, who then is given 60 working days to respond. Upon receiving the institution’s response, the Commission staff reviews the additional information and then proceeds. If the staff finds an institution was at fault in the situation that led to a complaint, the Commission liaison to that institution will work with the institution to resolve the complaint and bring the institution back into compliance with accreditation standards, policies, and/or procedures.

Openings for Two Positions on MSCHE Senior StaffMSCHE is seeking experienced administrators for two senior staff positions: a vice president and a director of Volunteer and Accreditation Services.

An experienced academic administrator is needed to serve as a vice president and Commission liaison to accredited and candidate institutions. The eight Commission vice presidents consult with institutional representatives throughout the self-study and peer review processes. An active travel schedule is required. Other responsibilities include organizing and presenting workshops, developing accreditation policies and related publications, representing and supporting the Commission, and serving as part of the MSCHE leadership team. The vice president’s position is equivalent to a senior level administrator, requiring significant teaching and/or administrative experience, excellent communication skills, and a willingness to travel. A broad perspective of all

types of higher education institutions is essential. Prior experience with accreditation or other peer review processes is highly desirable. An earned PhD or other terminal degree is preferred; a master’s degree is required. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.

The Commission is also seeking a dynamic leader for the newly-created position of director of Volunteer and Accreditation Services. This new director will provide leadership to the Commission in the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan for volunteer services, which will include the recruitment, retention, and recognition of volunteers who serve as evaluators for the Commission. The director will be responsible for designing and implementing a volunteer management program and overseeing accreditation services. He/she will be a member of the MSCHE senior leadership team and will oversee a staff of three. The new director will balance creativity with attention to detail and internal operations. A master’s degree is required, with a minimum of three to five years of supervisory experience in higher education. Excellent communication skills as well as project and volunteer management experience are required. Familiarity with accreditation standards and processes is preferred.

The review of applications will begin in late October and continue until the positions are filled. MSCHE is working with Lansing and Whitfield Associates in these searches. If interested in either position, send a cover letter and resume electronically to Deena Whitfield at deenawhitfield@comcast.net. For further information you may contact Lansing and Whitfield at (978) 884-5864. Please do not contact the Commission directly regarding these searches.

Noting Accreditation Status in Institutional Print and Electronic CommunicationsThe Commission staff is often asked about the appropriate wording institutions should use when describing their accredited status. In addition, some institutions may not be aware that there are federal requirements associated with the reference to accreditation status. For example, under federal regulations (CFR 602.23[d]), when an institution notes its accredited status, it must name the accreditor and provide the accreditor’s mailing address and telephone number. This provides students, employees, and members of the general public with the necessary information if they want to contact the accreditor to file a complaint against the institution or verify the institution’s accreditation. Thus, the correct statement for MSCHE institutions is as follows: (Name of institution) is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267) 284-5000. This information, along with the MSCHE logo, is available to interested institutions in JPG and EPS formats along with a Word document containing acceptable use guidelines for the logo. To obtain copies, send your email request to rpokrass@msche.org.

Also of note, the phrase, “fully accredited” should never be used, since partial accreditation is not possible.

The Commission’s complete policy on Advertising, Publications, and Representation of Accredited Status is available by clicking here.

MSCHE Vice President to Speak at 2010 Assessment InstituteMSCHE Vice President Linda A. Suskie will be a featured speaker at the 2010 Assessment Institute, October 24-26 in Indianapolis. The institute will provide in-depth learning opportunities for all faculty and academic and student affairs administrators. Speakers, in addition to Ms. Suskie, include Thomas A. Angelo of La Trobe University, Australia; Trudy W. Banta of Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis; Peter T. Ewell of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems; George D. Kuh of the National Institute for Learning Outcomes

Assessment; and Jeffrey A. Seybert of Johnson County (KS) Community College. For additional details visit http://www.planning.iupui.edu/institute.

Resources for New ALOsIf you are a newly designated Accreditation Liaison Officer and are uncertain of your specific responsibilities in that role, plan to attend the concurrent session, Role and Responsibilities of the Accreditation Liaison Officer, during the MSCHE annual conference. The session, led by Dr. Mary Ellen Petrisko, MSCHE Vice President, will be offered from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 9.

If you are unable to attend the session, or you need information sooner, read the Commission’s online resource, The Accreditation Liaison Officer: Role and Responsibilities, by clicking here.