Middle States Monday, Vol. 1: Preparing for our Reaccreditation Virtual Visit, March 24 – 26
Middle States Monday is a new series of announcements and information that will run in the Daily Digest to help students, faculty and staff prepare for our Middle States Reaccreditation Virtual Visit, scheduled for March 24 – 26, 2021.
Use this link to view other installments in the Middle States Monday series.
Accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is how SUNY New Paltz and many other colleges and universities demonstrate that they have met rigorous and comprehensive national standards for institutions of higher education.
These standards are addressed in the context of the mission of each institution and within the culture of ethical practices and institutional integrity expected of accredited institutions. MSCHE is responsible for more than 525 accredited and candidate degree-granting institutions.
The Middle States accreditation process now occurs every 8 years and includes frequent monitoring and periodic review reports in the years between assessments. SUNY New Paltz was last reaccredited on June 23, 2011.
Why do we participate in Accreditation?
The Self-Study process provides an opportunity for refection and identification of strengths and opportunities.
The Self-Study provides an opportunity to create goals for institutional innovation and improvements.
The U.S. Department of Education uses lists from accrediting associations to determine eligibility for federal funds for both the institution and for students.
Our Self-Study has been prepared to address the Seven Standards defined by MSCHE:
1. Mission and Goals
2. Ethics and Integrity
3. Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
4. Support of the Student Experience
5. Educational Effectiveness Assessment
6. Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement
7. Governance, Leadership, and Administration
In order to enhance the value of the Self-Study, the College established a Steering Committee and Working Groups to address the criteria of each standard through the lens of our Strategic Plan Essential Initiatives and the Institutional Priorities listed here:
Nurture a learning environment founded on critical thinking, creativity, and the growth and sharing of knowledge
Cultivate sustainability in all its forms, including institutional, social, economic, and environmental sustainability
Forge community and enhance our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Increase accessibility of undergraduate and graduate education in the region
Here’s what you can expect during the Middle States Evaluation Team Virtual Visit on March 24 – 26, 2021:
An opening “Getting Acquainted” Program.
During the visit, MSCHE Evaluation Team members will meet with faculty, students, staff, administrators, trustees, and other members of the campus community to confirm and clarify the information provided in the Self-Study report and to gather additional perspectives, including:
Small breakout meetings with Evaluation Team members.
Large Open Forums with Evaluation Team members.
On Friday, March 26, the final day of their visit, the Team Chair will provide an oral version of the team report to the campus.
Countless members of our campus community have been involved in the self-study process as of this writing. We thank you all for your time, energy, expertise and commitment to support these reaccreditation efforts.
Interested in learning more about the Middle States Reaccreditation process? Visit the MSCHE online or head to our website for a list of resources related to New Paltz’s accreditation status.