UT needs campus input on materials for continued accreditation mid-cycle visit

December 10, 2015 | UToday
By Christine Billau



The University of Toledo is looking for feedback from faculty, staff and students on materials being prepared for a mid-cycle review with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The working draft of the assurance argument will be submitted to commission evaluators who will visit campus in April.

Comments and suggestions are due by Friday, Dec. 18.

“Participation is important because it allows the teams working on the self-study to learn of additional evidence to show how well we are meeting all five criteria needed for continued accreditation,” Dr. Dorothea Sawicki, vice provost for health science affairs and university accreditation, said. “We want to show the best that UT is doing and planning, and we need your help to gather this evidence.”

In 2012, the Higher Learning Commission continued the University’s accreditation for 10 years. UT has been accredited by the commission since 1922.

This “stamp of approval” is required for UT to remain eligible to receive federal grants, loans and research funds. Accreditation also ensures students the ability to transfer credits between accredited schools. Plus, some graduate schools only accept students with degrees from accredited schools.

As part of the process, the HLC team is assessing UT’s success in meeting key criteria, including mission, integrity, teaching and learning, and resources, planning and institutional effectiveness.

“Five criterion teams wrote these draft documents based on their extensive knowledge of the University,” Heather Huntley, university accreditation and program review director, said. “We’re looking for others in the University community to read through it and make sure we’re providing the best evidence to demonstrate that UT is meeting the HLC criteria.”

To review the criterion drafts, go to utoledo.edu/hlc and follow the feedback link to submit comments and suggestions.

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