News Editor, News Reporter
After fifty-five years of providing accredited education to students from all walks of life, Colorado Mesa University is preparing for a visit from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Five members from The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools will be visiting CMU from Nov. 18-20 to conduct an evaluation of CMU’s capabilities in relation to its mission statement to either confirm or deny CMU’s accreditation.
To prepare for the visit chemistry professor Joe Richards and Director of Assessment of Student Learning Bette Schans met with a group of students involved in Student Life last Thursday to brief them on what to expect.
“Accreditation is a process by which you are determined to be a legitimate institution,” Richards said. “We need to be deemed worthy to ensure that our graduates are receiving a proper education.”
Richards explained that accreditation is a voluntary process, but it’s one that CMU chooses to partake in to ensure students can have access to financial aid and transferable credits, both of which are dependent on accreditation status.
“We’re not just a diploma mill,” Richards said.
The HLC will not look over every department. Rather they will be evaluating the University’s performance in relation to a 250 page self-study that was submitted on the request of University President Tim Foster.
“In 2011, the president selected a steering committee of over one hundred members that have checked behind every door and under every rug for a two-year period,” Richards said.
The report was finished a little over a month ago, and in addition to the 250 pages includes 700 separate documents as well as a 33 page summary for those who don’t have time to read the study cover to cover.
The self-study covers five important criteria, including mission statement, integrity, teaching and learning, evaluation and improvement, and resources, planning and intuitional effectiveness.
“The HLC will look at things like graduation rates, incoming numbers, assessment of student learning outcomes and faculty initiatives to improve programs,” Schans said.
Students may notice a change in their classroom syllabus in which learning objectives are outlined in detail. This change is a direct reflection of the initiatives CMU is taking to ensure its accreditation come November.
Students in attendance were encouraged to look over the self-study as well as a brief that was distributed to prepare for any questions HLC visitors might have.
“They will probably want to talk to members of ASG as well as host open groups with students,” Richards said.
With the accreditation looming less than a month away, Richards is certain CMU will continue on its path of success.
“We are going a great job here at Mesa,” Richards said.
cferganc@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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