Accreditation Briefing August 2008

NWCCU Full Scale Accreditation: Introduction Planning has begun for the 2010 Full Scale Accreditation Self Study and Site Visit The Self Study will be due in Summer/Fall 2010, with a Site Visit October 4-6, UAA is serving as a pilot institution for new accreditation standards and a new evaluation process. The new standards and process will be required for all institutions in our region starting in They are explained in greater detail later in this presentation. Preparations for the self-study and site visit will be led by the Accreditation Steering Committee, which contains representatives from both academic and non-academic units. All units of UAA, both academic and non-academic, will be involved in this process.

Accreditation Steering Committee Membership Leadership Team Bogdan Hoanca- CBPPSusan Kalina- CASDebbie Sonberg-KPC Tom Miller- Academic AffairsMegan Carlson- Academic Affairs Committee Members Renee Carter-Chapman- Community Partnerships Heidi Mannion- CTC Kristin DeSmith- Advancement Kim Perkins- Faculty Services Will Jacobs- Academic AffairsGary Rice- Institutional Research Monica Kane- Academic AffairsStuart Roberts- Budget and Finance Linda Lazzell- Student AffairsSteve Rollins- Consortium Library Patty Linton- CAS

Accreditation Steering Committee Principles Transparency Inclusiveness Community Involvement Sensitivity in Approach Student Centered Respect

Conceptual Changes to the Accreditation Process Shift from descriptive look backward to analytical look forward in reporting requirements Shift from contribution of individual units to integrated unit contributions to mission Higher emphasis on collaboration and engagement Emphasis on evidence, analysis, and synthesis of findings Regular, ongoing collection and analysis of evidence Shortened reporting cycle (ten years down to seven) with a more constant workload Outside influences: Accountability to government and public

Conceptual Changes to the Accreditation Process Previous Standards Replaced with Five Clusters – Mission and Goals – Resources and Capacity – Planning and Implementation – Effectiveness and Improvement – Mission Fulfillment, Sustainability, and Adaptation As Defined by Lee Thornton, NWCCU

Proposed New NWCCU Accreditation Process (Seven Year Model) The process assumes the institution has a regular cycle of data collection, evidence analysis, and feedback into planning, budgeting, and goal revision. Year One – At the conclusion of Year One, the following information is submitted to the Commission for review and feedback: Environmental Scan, Description of Students, Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives, Operationalizing of Goals Including Key Indicators, Methodology for Evidence Collection, and Examples of Evidence Year Two – Data collection, etc. continues As Defined by Lee Thornton, NWCCU

Proposed New NWCCU Accreditation Process (Seven Year Model, continued) Year Three – At the conclusion of Year Three, the institution submits to the Commission examples of evidence, analysis, and discussion of how evidence is being used to inform quality assurance and continuous improvement Year Four – Data collection, etc continues Year Five – Same as Year Three As Defined by Lee Thornton, NWCCU

Proposed New NWCCU Accreditation Process (Seven Year Model, continued) Year Six – Data collection, etc continues Year Seven – At the end of Year Seven, the complete self-study is submitted. This includes summative materials from Parts 1, 2, 3, 4. The submission is reviewed and evaluated by a peer team. A series of questions developed for discussion during an on-campus visit. As Defined by Lee Thornton, NWCCU

UAA Current Pilot Process As Defined by Lee Thornton, NWCCU Institutions complete pilot project with new standards and process within a compressed time period of two years. June 2008 to January 2009 – Institutions complete Year One requirements (Environmental Scan, description of students, mission statement, goals and objectives, operationalizing of goals including key indicators, methodology for evidence collection, and examples of evidence) February 2009 to June 2009 – Institutions complete Year Three requirements (Examples of evidence, analysis, and discussion of how evidence is being used to inform quality assurance and continuous improvement) July 2009 to Spring/Fall 2010 (SITE VISIT OCTOBER 4-6, 2010) – Institutions complete Year Seven requirements (Complete self study including summative materials from process; review and evaluation of Self Study by a peer team; series of questions developed for discussion during an on-campus visit).

Advantages of the New Process Opportunity for UAA to contribute to the development of the new process Makes use of work that has been done in defining mission, student success, and response to statewide needs. Capitalizes on mission-centric planning and developing culture of evidence. Encourages integrated approach, involvement of broader range of participants, investigation of interdependencies, and evaluation of achievement based on collaboration across all units Supporting institutional transformation to more positively promote institutional values Experience in the new process after the pilot period, when it is required for all institutions

UAA Accreditation Process to Date Summer work focused on initiating the processes for addressing the Year One requirements (due January 2009). The leadership team has begun gathering information for the Environmental Scan, and drafting institutional outcomes and an expanded mission. – Environmental Scan: Summary of internal and external environmental factors (geographical, demographical, social, etc.) that affect UAA. A short, concise document summarizing the most important factors. – Expanded Mission: Expanding upon the mission statement to describe what it means in practice, and how we deliver it. What does access mean? How do we accomplish it? – Institutional Outcomes: Used to measure how well we are accomplishing our goals. Outcomes should encompass academic and non-academic goals. Draft documents will be shared with campus leadership groups after receiving feedback at the full Accreditation Steering Committee level.

UAA Accreditation Briefing Schedule Faculty Senate Retreat- August 18 th Chancellor’s Cabinet- August 19 th Advancement Staff Meeting- August 20 th Full Council of Deans and Directors- August 27 th Undergraduate Academic Board- August 22 nd Graduate Academic Board- August 29 th

Questions? Contacts: Academic Affairs Leads Tom Miller- Academic Affairs Megan Carlson- Academic Affairs Faculty Leads Bogdan Hoanca- College of Business & Public Policy Susan Kalina- College of Arts & Sciences Debbie Sonberg- Kenai Peninsula College