Purpose

The importance of accreditation is two-fold. First, engaging in the process of self-examination necessary to write a thorough self-study inevitably leads to reflective and fruitful conversations among the participants--both those centrally involved in the tasks of preparing the self-study and those stakeholders across the institution, in our case students, faculty, staff, and administrators on campus, as well as trustees, alumni, and friends of the college in the community, non-local as well as local. Such conversations generate shared understanding and renewed commitment to the mission and goals of the college. As a group, then, we gain clarity and focus, we share ideas, and we improve our ability to deliver on the mission we set for ourselves. Second, a reaccreditation review is valuable for the external validation and perspective it gives an institution. In this review, we'll hear from evaluators from similar institutions whose training by the Higher Learning Commission has equipped them to analyze our program and provide feedback on both our strengths and our challenges as an institution.

Communication

This Web space is designed to keep the community informed about the self-study process and to solicit input as we proceed. The site includes a blog to generate discussion about the self-study and the issues it raises. It provides links to key documents, survey results, and drafts of self-study materials as they become available. Please note that some of these may require limitations on access because of their intended audience. The self-study working group invites public comments on these materials or on the College's reaccreditation review. We include a suggestion box to provide a space for the community to communicate with us. You may also contact individual committee members or send comments directly to the Higher Learning Commission for consideration by the external evaluation team.