On-campus accreditation process begins next week with open meetings

After literally years of preparation, Case Western Reserve’s accreditation show finally opens next week, just as reviewers arrive. Representatives of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools arrive on campus Monday. They will hold two days of meetings to assess the university’s performance relative to the five criteria essential for the university’s accreditation. This process takes place every 10 years; the university has been accredited since 1967. Jan Murphy, a professor of human nutrition at Illinois State University, leads this year’s five-member team. The group also includes faculty and administrators from universities around the country, including one, Elizabeth Hamilton, who serves as West Virginia University’s accreditation and planning officer. Members of the Case Western Reserve community and the public may attend any of six open meetings scheduled over the course of the team’s visit. “The team is eager to learn firsthand how members of our community view the education and other services Case Western Reserve provides,” said Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Don Feke, who is coordinating the university’s participation in the accreditation process. “We encourage everyone to take the time to attend one or more of these conversations to share your ideas and insights.” Three meetings, dubbed “Drop-in Sessions,” offer opportunities to speak to some of the accreditation team members about any Case Western Reserve-related subject. While the three sessions focus on particular groups, anyone is welcome. All three sessions are in the Senior Classroom (Room 134) of the Tinkham Veale University Center.

• 3:15–4:15 p.m., Monday, April 13, Drop-in Session for Faculty
• 4:15–5:15 p.m., Monday, April 13, Drop-in Session for Students
• 10:15­­–11:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 14, Drop-in Session for Staff

In addition, designated members of the accreditation team will host three meetings focused on specific topics. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the community may attend any or all of these gatherings as well, but should keep in mind each has a different conversational emphasis. All three will be in the Toepfer Room of Adelbert Hall.

• 3:15–4:15 p.m., Monday, April 13 Criterion 3: Teaching and Learning – Quality, Resources and Support Criterion 4: Teaching and Learning – Evaluations and Improvement

• 9:15–10:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 14 Criterion 5: Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness

• 10:15­–11:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 14 Criterion 1: Mission Criterion 2: Ethical and Responsible Conduct

Members of the accreditation team have reviewed the “assurance arguments” the university submitted regarding each of the criteria. They also have access to the student opinion survey the Higher Learning Commission conducted in February. This visit, however, provides an opportunity to hear directly from all members of the campus community regarding their experiences and observations. The assurance arguments and student survey results can be found on the accreditation webpage. The team will develop a report regarding the university’s performance later this year. The university should receive a near-final assessment by the fall. In addition to Professors Murphy and Hamilton, the team includes:

• Mary Ann Danielson, associate vice president for academic excellence and assessment, Creighton University
• Andrew Ihielu Nwanne, chief academic officer and provost, New Mexico State University Carlsbad
• David L. Grady, associate vice president and dean of students, University of Iowa

Additional biographical details regarding each accreditation team member also can be found on the accreditation site, case.edu/provost/accreditation.