Students, faculty, and staff have been invited to contribute their perspectives on how Wooster is meeting the Higher Learning Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation and to suggest additional elements of “evidence” the working groups should seek and consider. The Steering Committee sponsored a series of “community meetings,” each focusing on one of the criteria, throughout the 2011-12 academic year.
Fall 2011 Community Meetings
November 1
Criterion 1: Mission
The institution’s mission is clear, articulated publicly, and appropriate to an institution of higher education.
Summary: Faculty and staff attended the first community meeting. The group discussed the mission of the College and the relation of the mission to the constituencies that the College serves. Several attendees also challenged the group to consider how the College “meet[s] ing the needs of the students” as an assumed yet unstated piece of the mission. There was strong support for evidence measures that demonstrate how the mission is part of our daily agenda.
November15
Criterion 4: Academic Programs: Evaluation & Improvement
The institution assures the quality of its academic programs and evaluates their effectiveness through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.
Summary: Attendees commented that we have made significant improvements in our assessment efforts. Working in small groups, participants easily identified ways in which assessment is part of the College’s daily operations. The group then discussed the question “how are we applying the information we gain from these assessment tools?” The group suggested that we consider more longitudinal measures of graduates.
November 17
Student Discussion of the Criteria for Evaluation
Open session for students to learn more about the self-study, share their perspectives, and ask questions.
The students gathered for this community meeting were provided information about the overall process as well as all five criteria for evaluation. The group was divided into small working groups, each considering student-centered questions pertaining to one specific criterion.
Spring 2012 Community Meetings
February 14
Criterion 3:Teaching and Learning–Quality, Resources and Support
The institution provides high quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered.
February 21
Criterion 2: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
The institution fulfills its mission ethically and responsibly.
February 28
Criterion 5: Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
The institution’s resources, structures, and processes are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities. The institution plans for the future.