UC Forums Open for Discussion on Accreditation Self-Study Report

The draft report of the University of Cincinnati’s self-study report for re-accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission/North Central Association (HLC/NCA) is now accessible online at the self-study Web site. Comments, questions and suggestions on the report will be accepted until Jan. 29, 2009 by e-mailing HLC@uc.edu and attaching observations in a Microsoft Word document.

University forums to review the draft report will be held from 3-4:30 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, in Room 427 of Tangeman University Center (TUC). Discussion and highlights of the findings will be led by self-study co-chairs Lawrence J. Johnson, dean of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH), and Ralph Katerberg, head of the Department of Management for the College of Business.

The two-year re-accreditation process takes place every decade as the university demonstrates how it is meeting the national standards of excellence required for accreditation by the HLC/NCA. The report, based on evidence-based data and continuous improvement strategies set by the UC|21 Academic Plan, also examines future priorities in defining the new urban research university.

The draft report on the self-study evolved from the work of five writing teams that garnered data and examples of excellence from across the university as they examined the role of the university in the following areas

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

A national team of evaluators will visit the university April 27-29 as part of the procedure for re-accreditation. The HLC/NCA evaluation team will be led by Celestino Fernández, a professor of sociology at the University of Arizona. Fernández has served on accreditation review teams throughout the United States as well as internationally.

As part of the site visit, the team will examine the evidence and data contained in the self-study report. They may also call on members of the university community – ranging from administrators to students, faculty and staff – to share their experiences of UC as the evaluators consider their recommendations for re-accreditation.

The university is also seeking comments from the public in preparation for the evaluation. All public comments must be received by March 27, 2009.

The commission will issue its report on the university in summer 2009 and will announce any action and recommendation for continued accreditation in fall 2009.

University of Cincinnati HLC/NCA Self-Study Web Site

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