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Accreditation self-study report needs feedback

August 26, 2013

Higher Learning CommissionEvery 10 years, NIU engages in a thorough self-study and prepares a report as evidence in support of continuing institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation by the HLC is one way NIU publicly demonstrates its commitment to quality and willingness to be held externally accountable to those the university serves. This process for renewal of accreditation began during Fall 2011 and will culminate from March 3 through March 5, 2014, in a site visit by an HLC evaluation team.

More than 125 committed campus community members have given their time and energies in collecting and analyzing information and evidence to be included in the self-study report.

Now it is your turn to be a part of this important university-wide endeavor: NIU needs your feedback!

Doris Macdonald, associate professor of English, chairs the HLC committee

Doris Macdonald, associate professor of English, chairs the HLC committee.

Take some time in the month of September to review the draft self-study report and provide your insights and comments. The report presents evidence in support of the five HLC criteria for accreditation and considers all aspects of the university’s mission and operations.

The report is comprehensive, and you might be interested in only one or two chapters. Feel free to focus your comments where your interests lie. Your feedback should be in the form of substantive comments on content – corrections of matters of fact or additional important information that might have been overlooked, for example.

As you read, keep in mind that this is a draft. Committee members are not looking for comments on mechanics, style or voice. The editing process will continue after your feedback is considered.

The self-study report will be available online from Sunday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 30, as will the online comment capability.

The final report will be submitted after the end of the fall semester.

For more information, email hlc2014@niu.edu.