As we move into the the new semester I want to take a moment to update you on the on-going work for our HLC Accreditation Visit next fall. As I hope you recall the visit is scheduled for November 7-8, 2016.
On the Assessment side of things David Switzer has been working with departments on making sure we have Program Level Outcomes posted (as required by HLC) and on getting groups organized to assess Our Husky Compact through the use of the Value Rubrics. Kristian Twombly has also been working with the Value Rubrics and has been working to develop an easy way for programs to demonstrate how their work aligns with Our Husky Compact (this is a part of our “Quality Initiative” which is also required by HLC.) We’ll be sharing some of this work with the campus during our January convocation.
The work preparing the “Assurance Argument” for the HLC visit has now also begun in earnest. Three separate groups are working on this. Judith Siminoe is leading a group that will explicate our compliance with federal regulations. Shelly Mumm is leading the group explicating our Mission, Ethical Practices and Resources and Planning, and David Switzer is heading the group working on teaching and learning and assessment practices. We have formed these groups with the intention of insuring we have the expertise we need for the specific tasks, as well as insuring that they are widely representative of the campus. All three of the groups still have slots open for additional faculty so please contact me if you are interested in serving at [email protected].
The best way for us to frame our Assurance Argument is to see it as a way to “tell our story” and we hope to use the HLC Accreditation to highlight the things we do well. To build that story we would also like to invite all individuals on campus to help us by submitting information you would like us to include. We have provided a link to the HLC Criteria we need to address here. We hope you’ll be able to take a look at the Criteria over the next several weeks or over the winter break and send us your suggestions of ways we meet the criteria. Any documents you have that demonstrate that would be helpful too. Information and perspectives from all campus stakeholders will make our story richer and easier to tell and will help “jump start” our work as we begin drafting our documents in January. You can send all materials and /or questions to me at [email protected].
I hope you have a great winter break and an exciting spring semester. I look forward to hearing from you.
Steve Hornstein
Faculty Co-Director for Accreditation
