University of Cincinnati Launches Two-Year Self Study

The University of Cincinnati is beginning a two-year self study as it seeks re-accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, which grants accreditation and membership in the Higher Learning Commission and in the North Central Association. UC President Nancy L. Zimpher and Provost Anthony J. Perzigian addressed a steering committee of administrators, faculty, staff and students as the effort was formally launched on Oct. 2.

“This is a transparent, public and inclusive exercise for regional accreditation,” Perzigian said, adding that regional accreditation was a key common element of accountability in higher education. Perzigian said that with the UC|21 Academic Plan, “We have a very important framework for this self-study. We enter into this exercise with a much more substantive planning basis than we did 10 or 11 years ago.”

“I believe that we can present an institution that we can be proud of, that the State of Ohio and that the nation can be proud of,” said President Zimpher. She added that the more data-driven UC|21 Report Card holds “critical and important benchmark data” that exemplifies how the university continuously examines its roles and responsibilities.

The re-accreditation steering committee is co-chaired by Lawrence J. Johnson, dean of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, and Ralph Katerberg, associate professor, College of Business.

The re-accreditation process includes broad participation from across the university and involves preparing a comprehensive report examining the role of the university in five key areas:

• Mission and Integrity
• Preparing for the Future
• Student Learning and Effective Teaching
• Acquisition, Discovery and Application of Knowledge
• Engagement and Service

The five writing teams, guided by the steering committee members, will complete the final report in spring, 2009. After reviewing the report, a team of evaluators for the Higher Learning Commission will visit the campus and further explore the findings of the self-study.

“This accreditation process is really for the institution’s benefit,” said Katerberg.

Johnson added that the steering committee will meet monthly to discuss the progress of the university’s self-evaluation. For more background on the Higher Learning Commission, click on this link: http://www.ncahlc.org/

UC Higher Learning Commission Accreditation
Self-Study Steering Committee

• Lawrence J. Johnson, dean, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (co-chair)
• Ralph Katerberg, associate professor, College of Business (co-chair)
• Cheryl Albrecht, associate dean, University Libraries
• Peg Allensworth, senior associate vice president, Administration and Finance
• John Bryan, associate professor, McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
• Charles Collins, associate dean, College of Medicine
• Gigi Escoe, associate dean, McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
• Thomas Hadley, associate vice president, Student Affairs and Services
• Laura Kretschmer, professor, College of Allied Health Sciences
• Beth McGrew, associate vice president, Campus Planning and Design
• Lee Mortimer, director, Institutional Research
• Nelson Vincent, associate dean, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services
• Tina Whalen, department head, Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences
• James Radley, Student Body President

Academic Coordinating Committee

• Andrea Lindell, dean, College of Nursing (ex-officio)
• Kristi Nelson, senior vice provost for Academic Planning (ex-officio)

Writing Team Co-Chairs

Mission and Integrity
Sheryl Albrecht, associate dean, University Libraries
Charles Collins, associate dean, College of Medicine

Preparing for the Future
Peg Allensworth, senior associate vice president, Administration & Finance
Tom Cruse, associate provost

Student learning and Effective Teaching
John Bryan, associate professor, English & Comparative Literature
Laura Kretschmer, professor, College of Allied Health Sciences

Acquisition, Discovery and Application of Knowledge
Gigi Escoe, associate dean, McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
Tina Whalen, department head, Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences

Engagement and Service
Thomas Hadley, associate vice president, Student Affairs and Services
Frank Russell, director, UC Community Design Center