|
Preparing for the Self Study
The self study is generally regarded as the most valuable element of the accreditation process.
We also know, however, that when faced with an accreditation review, faculty and staff members on
a campus rarely respond with overt enthusiasm. Attitudes are more likely to range from grudging
acceptance to outright disdain. Some will view the accreditation process as a necessary evil, and
many will avoid involvement to the extent possible.
Conducting a self study is a great deal of extra work for faculty members who are already fully
engaged, to be sure, but perhaps even more important as a reason for less-than-enthusiastic attitudes
is that many on a campus do not think of accreditationˇ¦s value for institutional or program
improvement. The presidentˇ¦s or chancellorˇ¦s role is therefore, first and foremost, to set the tone
for a positive attitude about what the accreditation process can do for an institution and its future.
Following are some specific suggestions for how you as president or chancellor can make accreditation
a positive and beneficial experience for your institution.
Before the self-study begins:
ˇP
Insist that the self appraisal be rigorous, honest and forthright. Seek common agreement on the
institutionˇ¦s weaknessesˇXareas where there is clearly room for improvementˇXas well as on the
institutionˇ¦s strengths and points of pride.
ˇP
Send a signal to the campus by appointing highly respected faculty membersˇXpeople who are not only
outstanding academics but who are also good campus citizensˇXto lead the self study effort.
ˇP
Emphasize the importance of evaluating/measuring/ observing student learning outcomes, over and over
and over. Although we in higher education have talked about ˇ§outcomes assessmentˇ¨ for some years now,
many faculty members have avoided addressing it because it is truly difficult to do in many of the most
important learning objectives. Even though it may often be impossible to quantify learning results,
some observation, if not measurement, of learning outcomes is expected in the accountability to the
public that we call accreditation. The accreditation process may be the stimulus needed on many
campuses to attend to the issue of student learning outcomes.
ˇP
Make sure that the campus understands the quality improvement function of accreditation. Obviously,
issues of compliance with accreditation standards must be addressed thoroughly and effectively, but
for many institutions the greater challenge will be to approach the self study in a way that takes
advantage of the required investment of time and effort to generate a climate of pride and commitment
to improve. What is the appropriate level of involvement for the president or chancellor? Certainly
it is neither possible nor appropriate for the campus leader to be involved in every detail of the
accreditation self study process, but here are some specific actions that will be most helpful to a
successful process.
ˇP
Take personal interest in appointing the leadership team or steering committee for the self study,
along with your provost or academic dean. In order to attract the very best people for this task the
presidentˇ¦s or chancellorˇ¦s personal invitation is important.
ˇP
Confer with the leadership team/steering committee regarding the work plan for the self study process,
including the number and makeup of committees and subcommittees, timelines, etc. Although the work
plan should be developed by the steering committee, the president should take the time to be informed
about it, to contribute to it, and to approve it.
ˇP
Help the leadership group to formulate the desired outcomes of the self study so that it will become
a useful document for future planning. Determining the key issues to be addressed in the self study
is an area in which consensus between faculty and administration is especially important.
ˇP
Be certain that the self study process focuses on such critical issues as academic integrity and student
learning outcomes.
ˇP
Assist with communication to the campus throughout the self study process, to encourage participation
or invigorate people as needed. Sometimes one needs to be a cheerleader.
ˇP
Provide brief progress reports to your governing board on a regular basis throughout the process so
that they are informed and involved at the appropriate level.
ˇP
Make certain that the review process is supported with adequate resources, both in personnel and funding.
ˇ@
|
