HLC Update: Progress and Preparation for the Visit Sharon Klavins Chair, HLC Re-affirmation of Accreditation Steering Committee September 1, 2016

UW-Platteville Mission The University of Wisconsin-Platteville provides associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree programs in a broad spectrum of disciplines including: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; criminal justice; education; business; agriculture; and the liberal arts.

UW-Platteville Mission We promote excellence by using a personal, hands-on approach to empower each student to become broader in perspective, intellectually more astute, ethically more responsible, and to contribute wisely as an accomplished professional and knowledgeable citizen in a diverse global community.

At this point in our preparation, you should be able to: Explain what accreditation is; Explain how your role on campus and your program align with our institutional mission; Recognize where we can continue to improve; and Acknowledge our accomplishments and strengths.

What is accreditation? Multi-faceted, peer evaluation of institutional effectiveness Assumed Practices Federal Compliance Five Criteria for Accreditation Each with multiple sub-components Ensures that we meet standards for providing a high quality education System of accountability to those who provide financial resources Helps us identify specific areas for improvement, document those areas where we have already improved

Five Criteria for Accreditation Mission Ethical and Responsible Conduct Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources and Support Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness

What is accreditation? Requirement For student access to financial aid For institutional access to private, state and federal funding Ensures that we meet standards for providing a high quality education System of accountability to those who provide financial resources Helps us identify specific areas for improvement, document those areas where we have already improved

What is accreditation? Multi-Step Process Quality Initiative Project 35,000 word Quality Assurance (QA) Argument Federal Compliance documentation Comprehensive campus review by peer evaluators On-site in Year 10 Desk review in Year 4 Ensures that we meet standards for providing a high quality education System of accountability to those who provide financial resources Helps us identify specific areas for improvement, document those areas where we have already improved

Timeline Site visit: October 24-25 We’re here now Will have another Talking Points: Our goal is to have the Assurance Argument in final form by June, 2016, all evidence files uploaded by August. Will have another complete review again in 4 years

What is accreditation? Opportunity For institutional self-reflection To identify areas for improvement To demonstrate our strengths and accomplishments Ensures that we meet standards for providing a high quality education System of accountability to those who provide financial resources Helps us identify specific areas for improvement, document those areas where we have already improved

At your service More than 60 faculty and staff from across campus have been directly involved in our preparation over the past 4 years: HLC Reaffirmation of Accreditation Steering Committee Criterion Teams (Quality Assurance) Federal Compliance Team Quality Initiative Team

Next Steps Quality Assurance Argument Spring - Drafts of all five sections made available to campus. Summer - Revised versions released on the campus website. September - Final document and executive summary will be available on our website at the end of the month.

Next Steps Federal Compliance Filing September - Separate document due at the same time as the QA argument. October - HLC panel reviews and reports results to our site visit team. Issues brought to their attention may be subject to further inquiry by the team Information requests could include annual reports of committees to Faculty Senate, evidence of success in improving student learning, summaries of program data – up to 9 years worth of evidence

Next Steps Results of Student Survey September - HLC will share these with us and the review team at the end of the month. There may be issues that need our attention before the review team visit. Information requests could include annual reports of committees to Faculty Senate, evidence of success in improving student learning, summaries of program data – up to 9 years worth of evidence

Next Steps Comprehensive Site Visit Five member team will be on campus: Monday, October 24th – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 25th – 8:00 – 1:00 p.m. Concurrent meetings each day Open forums for faculty, staff, and students Schedule will be finalized in October, communicated to campus on our website. Information requests could include annual reports of committees to Faculty Senate, evidence of success in improving student learning, summaries of program data – up to 9 years worth of evidence

How is this year’s review different from the process 10 years ago? HLC’s focus is on institutional outcomes and effectiveness. Emphasis is on our institutional roles as stewards of resources provided by others (e.g., students and their families, state & federal government, donors). We should be able to demonstrate that we are using these resources effectively, efficiently, and wisely.

How can you help? Respond promptly to requests for information. Understand how you and your program align with our institutional mission. Our mission is central to how we will be evaluated. Everyone on campus is integral to our reaffirmation of accreditation. Be professional when you interact with Review Team Members.

Open Forums – Platteville East, MPSC Friday, September 16, noon – 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 11:00 a.m. – noon Wednesday, October 12, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.