Strategic Plan is a road map toward NCA accreditation

By Sharita Forrest, Assistant Editor
217-244-1072; slforres@uiuc.edu

The Urbana campus is preparing for its next accreditation review in 2009, and the goals in Chancellor Richard Herman’s Strategic Plan for the Urbana campus are providing the basis for the comprehensive self-evaluation that is the foundational component of the accreditation process.

The UI is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, a membership organization of colleges and schools in 19 states and one of six regional associations. The Higher Learning Commission, an independent member of the NCA located in Chicago, is the organization that accredits degree-granting institutions of higher education such as the UI.

Accreditation is a voluntary process of critical self-analysis and internal and external quality review that the UI undergoes every 10 years.  The UI was first accredited in 1913.

The process entails a comprehensive review in which the HLC/NCA evaluates not only institutions’ formal educational programs and student learning but also factors such as financial stability, governance and administration, admissions and student services, institutional effectiveness and relationships with internal and external constituencies. While providing a regular opportunity for self-reflection and continuous self-improvement, the process also affords the public an opportunity to provide feedback.

“Our goal is to be recognized as a public research university second to none,” Herman said. “Accreditation is an opportunity to reflect on our shared achievements of the past 10 years and to envision the possibilities and priorities of years ahead as we continue our drive toward pre-eminence.”

Five working teams, comprising about 70 faculty and staff members appointed by Provost Linda Katehi last September, have begun the self study and are examining the units, activities, policies and procedures associated with each of the five goals in the campus Strategic Plan as a framework for showing how the university meets or exceeds the HLC/NCA’s five criteria for accreditation (see box).

A seven-member working team, co-chaired by vice provosts Ruth Watkins and Richard Wheeler, will develop the final self-study report based on the committees’ findings.

The working committees will prepare their draft reports this spring and a final draft of the report is expected by March 2009. The campus community will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft report before the report is finalized.

In addition to reviewing the self-study, the committees will participate in the HLC/NCA’s evaluation visit, which is scheduled for fall 2009.

“Performing a comprehensive assessment of our progress toward the five goals in the Strategic Plan will require the support and leadership of faculty and staff and input from the campus community on issues related to each of the core missions of the institution: teaching, research, public engagement and economic development,” Katehi said.

Back to Index