HLC Update
Faculty Meeting
April 30, 2009
HLC/NCA Campus Visit
• October 5-7, 2009
• Includes change request for online
master’s program
• Self-Study review finalization in May
• Publicity plan for campus pre-visit
information designed by SNU students
• Resource room assembly this summer
• Visiting team members confirmed
Role of Visiting Team
"Born to Run," TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, 2.22
• Dr. Paul Koch (Team Chair), Saint Ambrose University,
Davenport, Iowa, Assoc. VP for Assessment and Institutional
Research
• Dr. Jeanette Hsieh, Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL,
Interim President, Provost and Prof. of Education
• Dr. Jeffrey Highland, St. Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona
and Twin Cities, MN, Provost and Vice President
• Dr. Sarah Westfall, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI, VP for
Student Development and Dean of Students
• Dr. Robert Hamill, Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI,
Dean, School of Graduate and Professional Studies
• Dr. Donna Green, Davenport University, Grand Rapids, MI,
Executive Director of Faculty Development (online evaluator)
Highlights from HLC Meeting
Accountability & Transparency
• The Higher Education Opportunity Act, 2008,
links federal financial aid to reporting and
accreditor specifications
• “Consumer-friendly information database” for
college comparisons by prospective students as
to cost, financing, degree ‘performance’
• Common reporting template for public disclosure
of institutional performance data
Accreditors’ Responses
• “Voluntary System of Accountability” (VSA),
National Association of State Universities and
Land-Grant Colleges
• VSA endorsement by American Association of
State Colleges and Universities
• Alternative template under development by
National Association of Independent Colleges
and Universities
• Separation of compliance reporting from
institutional improvement processes under
development by the Higher Learning
Commission of the North Central Association
“For almost two years, accrediting organizations and
higher-education institutions have been confronted
with a most serious challenge from the federal
government, one that goes to the heart of the role
and purposes of colleges and universities. The
government has been taking action that could
result in its assuming unprecedented direct control
over standards of quality and the academic
offerings of higher education . . . .The challenge is
fundamental: Who, going forward, will have the
primary authority and responsibility for academic
quality?”
•
Eaton, “Institutions, Accreditors and the Federal Government: Redefining Their ‘Appropriate
Relationship,’“ http://www.changemag.org/Archives/Back%20Issues/September-October%202007/fullinstitutions-accreditors.html
Meaningful Assessment
Prep for August 09 FAR
FAR report documents to include
Year’s activities (no goals required)
Technology report (may use Faculty Technology
Survey online)
Assessment report (may use TracDat course
reporting)
Observation of another prof’s instruction report
(may do off-campus, miniterm, online)