North Central Association Higher Learning Commission ChairDirector Retreat

North Central Association Higher Learning Commission Chair/Director Retreat August 14, 2012

What’s Different? • NCA-Higher Learning Commission • Every 10 years regional accreditation • Institutional Self-study – 2 years to produce – Hundreds of pages – Resource Room • New methodology – Open Pathway • BGSU is one of 14 Pioneers in Cohort 1

Open Pathway • Two components – Quality Initiative – Assurance Document

Quality Initiative • New proposal/project to improve institutional quality • Original proposal identified two areas – Enrollment Management and General Education • HLC Consultants visited Mar. 2010 • Expand the student populations for BGSU enrollment and implement programs to recruit them and retain them to successful degree completion. University Learning Commons

Quality Initiative • Report Team in place – Albert Colom, Joe Frizado, Marc Nelson, Michelle Simmons • • First Draft is complete Report is due Aug. 31, 2012 Maximum 6, 000 words Review occurs during fall

Assurance Document • Replaces the self study • Moved to an online process • Requires answering a series of prompts to address each criteria

New Criteria • Mission • Integrity: Ethical & Responsible Conduct • Teaching & Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support • Teaching & Learning: Evaluation and Improvement • Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness

Example 3. C The institution has the faculty and staff needed for effective, high-quality programs and student services. 1. The institution has sufficient numbers and continuity of faculty members supported by effective structures to carry out both the classroom and the non-classroom roles of faculty, including oversight of the curriculum and expectations for student performance; establishment of academic credentials for instructional staff; involvement in assessment of student learning.

Assurance Document • • • 35, 000 words total Only 15 user accounts (3 system) Only PDF may be uploaded Only PDF directly referenced will be kept Only 6 URL Course Catalog Faculty Handbook Student Handbook Staff Handbook Class Schedules Faculty roster

BGSU Team • Mission – Joe Frizado • Integrity – Pat Pauken • Teaching & Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support – Simon Morgan-Russell • Teaching & Learning: Evaluation and Improvement - Sue Houston • Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness – Rodney Rogers

Assurance Document Process • Assemble the writing/data collection team • Create a first draft * • Collect and upload data*

Collect Data • Faculty Credentials – All faculty should have an official transcript showing award of the highest degree – Faculty should hold an appropriate degree for every class taught. – Errors/discrepancies must be addressed

Collect Data • Faculty Activities – Need to demonstrate currency and contributions to “scholarship, creative work and discovery of knowledge” – Move Annual Faculty Update Form to digital – Transfer data from past year(s) to new system

Assurance Document Process • • • Assemble the writing/data collection team Create a first draft * Collect and upload data* Technical Editing Assemble a review team* Edit the draft into final form

Summary- Due Dates • Quality Initiative – Aug. 31, 2012 • Assurance File – Mar. 15, 2013 – Draft complete late Fall – Review over break/early spring • Federal Compliance Document – Mar. 15, 2013 • HLC Campus Visit – April 15, 2013*