Accreditation visit is next week

The North Central Association reaccreditation process, which considers nearly every aspect of the institution, occurs every 10 years or more frequently if shortcomings are detected. Chadron State has been continuously accredited by the North Central Association since 1915.

It is vital that a college is accredited. Besides giving the stamp of approval that a quality education is available at the college or university being evaluated, over the years the HLC has been designated one of the major protectors of federal funding in higher education. Unaccredited institutions are not eligible for several types of federal support.

Several weeks ago, the team members received a 200-page self-study report that Chadron State personnel prepared during the past 2 ½ years. While on campus, they’ll strive to determine if the report is consistent with what they observe, evaluate the college’s capabilities and write a preliminary report on their findings and recommendations. The report will later be expended, scrutinized by two more panels and sent to the HLC’s Board of Trustees for validation.

It is expected to be about six months before final report on the reaccredidation bid will be available.

“The team members will spend much of their time talking to students, faculty and staff and asking questions,” said Dr. Lois Veath, who as vice president of academic affairs took the lead in preparing the self-study report. “They’ll want to know if we’re really doing what we say we are doing.”

A meeting is scheduled for noon on Tuesday in the Chicoine Atrium of the Sandoz Center where area residents will have the opportunity to discuss the value of the academic programs and services provided by the college. A light lunch will be available.

Both Dr. Janie Park and Veath said they are confident that Chadron State will fare well during the visit.

“During my two years at the college, I have been impressed by the faculty and staff and their dedication to the students,” said Park. “I think Chadron State contributes much to the vitality of the region and that we do a good job of delivering our programs.”

Still, the college has to meet the Higher Learning Commission’s criteria and prove to the team that it is providing the students with a quality education.

In 2004-05, HLC adopted a new five-point “criteria for accreditation.” They are: 1, Mission and Integrity; 2, Preparing for the Future; 3, Student Learning and Effective Teaching; 4, Acquisition, Discovery and Application of Knowledge; and 5, Engagement and Service.

It is doubtful that the evaluation team will give Chadron State an A on all the criteria immediately. The HLC reports that 75 percent of the institutions seeking reaccreditation are required to make improvements.

Veath noted that while the reaccreditation process has been demanding, it is and will continue to be beneficial to the college aside from hopefully earning it reaccreditation for the next 10 years. The self-study thoroughly examined the college from many angles and identified strengths and areas that need upgraded. For instance, she said the college already has been proactive in recognizing its need to improve its assessment processes.

In addition, the wealth of information that was gathered and examined has been placed in a document that will always record how the college was faring as it approached its centennial year in 2011.