Building on a Tradition of Excellence

The University of Wisconsin—River Falls
Tips for the Institutional Self-Study Process

NCA Accreditation Guidelines
(From Chicago, 2005 conference)

The Institutional Self Study should:
Contribute to campus self-understanding and growth

DISTINCTIVE
MISSION CENTERED
LEARNER FOCUSED
FUTURE ORIENTED
CONNECTED
DEMONSTRATE INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY

The Self-Study is supposed to have an impact on the culture of the campus

HLC/NCA CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION

1) MISSION & INTEGRITY
2) FUTURE PREPARATION
3) STUDENT LEARNING & TEACHING
4) ACQUISITION, DISCOVERY & APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE
5) ENGAGEMENT & SERVICE


The Process Must Involve the entire campus

It is everyone's duty to keep informed
Collegiality and openness is critical
There must be a broad understanding of mission and effectiveness in all areas of the campus.

ASSESSMENT IS KEY TO ALL AREAS
Student Learning is Considered Central to Educational Quality
NCA Policy on Assessment (pdf 8 kb)


A CLEAR AND FOCUSED MISSION AND PLAN ARE ESSENTIAL

For information about the Higher Learning Commission and the
North Central Association accreditation process see:
http://www.ncacihe.org/

The entire Handbook for Accreditation and other information about HLC/NCA policies are available for downloading from that site.

Time-line: Visit will be in 2007-08