Accrediting Commission for Program in Hospitality Administration Rick Donnelly, Ph.D., East Stroudsburg University, Standing ACPHA Commissioner Jeff Lolli, Ed.D., CHE, Widener University, Standing ACPHA Commissioner

 Introduction  Chairperson Responsibilities  Before the Visit  During the Visit  After the Visit

 Host and Attendee Introductions  How many site visits have you been a team member for in the past 3 years? Have you chaired a previous visit?  When and where did you go?  What was your experience like?  Did you feel well prepared?  Did you feel the chair was well prepared?

 The interaction between the Commission on Accreditation and a hospitality management program can be summarized as follows:  The program looks at itself and speaks to the Commission through its self-study document  A team of experienced peers, appointed by the Commission, appraises and advises the program, through an evaluation team report  The program replies to the team report in a written response addressed to the Commission

 The interaction between the Commission on Accreditation and a hospitality management program can be summarized as follows:  The Commission, after considering the information derived from the preceding three steps, determines accreditation status. The Commission alone makes accreditation decisions  The program, as part of its ongoing evaluation and planning process, continues to consider and act on the results of its own self-study and the advice it has received

 The team visit is important for several reasons:  Provides an opportunity to verify the information submitted in the self-study report  Team members can derive additional data clarifying the written report which enables them to probe more deeply on some issues.  Inquire about areas in programmatic life not adequately covered in the self-study

 The team visit is important for several reasons:  Stimulate growth and development in the program  The interchange of information and viewpoints and the raising of important questions and issues in interviews should inspire insights and encouragement in reassessing what has been done and considers ideas that may enhance the program in the future

 Chairperson Key Responsibilities  Introductions to Program Administrator/confirmation  Initial Team Contact  Coordinate team member travel and lodging  Coordinate itinerary for accreditation visit  Review and assign sections to team members  Request any additional information from the Program  Coordinate workroom location, documents and technology  Send team report template and final itinerary

 Initial Communication with Program  Contact Program Administrator/Discuss procedures and details  Discuss team member lodging, travel and meals – minimize cost to each team member  Discuss traveling to and from the lodging site and campus  Discuss work room location, supplies, support documents  Discuss team member itinerary for accreditation visit with Program Administrator  Discuss any concerns with ACPHA

 Initial Communication with Team  Contact team member to discuss lodging, travel and meals  Discuss what documentation or receipts are needed to ensure timely reimbursement  Analyze team member experience, training, and assign sections  Discuss itinerary for accreditation visit with team  Discuss team member concerns and Chairperson expectations

 Review of the Self-Study and Supporting Documentation  The Self-Study Report should provide a comprehensive description, and a thorough in depth assessment of all aspects of the program.  Nine total sections with 42 total standards: if there is a discrepancy, or the report is inadequate, contact ACPHA immediately.

 The Self-Study  If your review and study suggests the need for additional or clarifying information that would be helpful to the team, you should communicate this to the program administrator.  It is the team chairperson's responsibility to convey this request to the program or to the Commission office as soon as possible, so the material can be available for the team's review, prior to the accreditation visit.

 The Self-Study  During the visit, there is no time to write a full report without a draft. It is extremely helpful if each team member begins to draft their responses to the standards in their assigned sections prior to the actual site visit  The chair should provide the team with a template for preparing the report  Responses should be based on the information available in the self-study and other supporting documentation  Gathering additional information during the site visit is necessary to support your initial analysis

 The Self-Study  As you study it, prepare a checklist for your use during the visit. Here are some guiding questions:  What else do you need to know about the program?  At what point does the document need further clarification or interpretation?  Are there inconsistencies within the document that will need to be explored?  What are the apparent strengths and weaknesses of the program?  Does the documented evidence provided substantiate the program’s claim in meeting the ACPHA Standards.  Who are the people you will wish to interview?

 The ACPHA Standards found in the Self-Study Explained  Sections (Review Handout):  I. Mission and Outcomes: 3 Standards  II. Administration and Governance: 3 Standards  III. Planning: 4 Standards  IV.Assurance of Student Learning: 4 Standards  V.Curriculum: 5 Standards  VI.Instructional Resources: 10 Standards  VII.Student Support Services: 7 Standards  VIII.Physical and Learning Resources: 4 Standards  IX.Financial Resources: 2 Standards

 Initial on-site team meeting  Discuss process, strategy and anticipated timetable  Finalize each member’s responsibilities, and confirm procedures  Program meet and greet  Purpose - it sets the tone for individual interviews and discussions

 Interviews with Administration  Initial meetings- avoid discussions related to any findings based on preliminary document review  Provide an opportunity to answer questions about ACPHA accreditation process  Should be very collegial  Interviews with constituents  Faulty and staff  Students  Advisory board  Alumni  Support Staff throughout the university

 Data collection and review  Purpose-verify information reported in the Self-Study  Meetings with current, former students and advisory board members  Industry supervisors and alumni will enrich data  Analysis of supporting documents i.e., degree plans, assessment plans, marketing and strategic plans, evidence of student performance, instruments used in data collection, relevant material not included in the Self-Study, meeting minutes, etc.

 Team conferencing  Pool resources and information  Clarify Report / Team Consensus  The Evaluation Report  Follow Evaluation Report format  Developing assigned sections with Chairperson guidance  Draft Report (End of Day 2)- complete before departing  Check report thoroughly for spelling, grammar, and formatting  Program Strengths/ Weakness

 The Evaluation Report (continued)  Flow of the Report  Identify full Standard  Team response to Standards  Standard is met- Strengths  Standard is not met- Concern- Recommendations- Suggestions  Consistent verbiage and format is important-Language shall not be prescriptive

 The Exit Interview  Content and tone of the report-collegial and helpful  No statements should be made about the determination of accreditation status for the program (it is up to the Commission)  Read full standard  Identify which have been met and strengths if possible  Identify which have NOT been met, Identify Concern(s) and Recommendation(s)  Clarify as much as possible  Interactive reading of report

 Management of Team  Expectations with respect to professionalism include attire and attitude  Maintain high ethical and professional standards  Avoid making comparisons with other programs  Adhere to schedule  Team should not socialize with Program during visit  If Program wishes to do so after the exit interview, that is acceptable

 Management of the Process  Key role of the Chairperson is to plan the Team’s work  Encourage team discussion-Note areas during interviews for clarification  Keep members on task-discuss purpose of meetings (class meeting)  Chair might take the lead in any particular meeting or assist team with follow-up

 Preparation of the Evaluation Report  Send the final report electronically to team members immediately for review and corrections  Chairperson returns report to program in 3-5 days to review for factual errors  Tailor introduction to the program  Identify what the program and faculty do well  Reference the program self-study in the report  Do NOT be prescriptive or shame individuals

 Preparation of Evaluation Report(continued)  It is the responsibility of the Chairperson to submit a well organized final professional document to ACPHA  Write Cover letter  Instructions for the Program’s response to ACPHA  Report Format (Appendix A)  Chairperson sends the Cover Letter and Final Evaluation Report electronically to: 1) Program Administrator; 2) Team Members, and 3) ACPHA Office

 Commission Follow-up  Commission meets twice annually to review reports  Two Commissioners are assigned to review a program’s documents  Primary and secondary Readers review  Self-Study Report  Available supporting documents –electronically  Response to the Visiting Team Evaluation Report  Program - Post Visit Response Report  Commission Decision

 Thank you for your time and commitment to attend this training.  Open Discussion and Questions