1. Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Evidence of Institutional Ability to Meet the Expectations of the Requirements of Affiliation and Standards for Accreditation
Best Practices in Assessment Group
December 4, 2018

2. UMB Middle States Accreditation Timeline
2016
Last Reaffirmation under the “Old” 14 Standards
2018 and Subsequent Years
Annual Institutional Update (AIU)
2021
Mid-Point Peer Review of AIU Data
Self-Study Evaluation using the “New” 7 Standards
MSCHE Evaluator Team Site Visit

3. Requirements of Affiliation
Authorized or licensed to operate as a postsecondary educational institution and to award postsecondary degrees
Operational, with students actively enrolled in degree programs
At least one graduating class before evaluation team visit for initial accreditation
Representatives communicate with the Commission in English, both orally and in writing
Compliance with all applicable government (usually Federal and state) laws and regulations
Compliance with applicable Commission, interregional, and inter-institutional policies
Mission statement and related goals, approved by its governing board
Systematic evaluation of educational and other programs

4. Requirements of Affiliation (cont.)
Student learning programs and opportunities characterized by rigor, coherence, and appropriate assessment of student achievement
Institutional planning integrating goals for academic and institutional effectiveness and improvement, student achievement of educational goals, student learning, and the results of academic and institutional assessments
Documentation of adequate financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development and regular audits
Disclosure of legally constituted governance structure
Adherence to conflict of interest policy
Availability of accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations
Core of faculty assuring continuity and coherence of the institution’s educational programs.

5. Seven Standards for Accreditation
Four principles:
mission-centric standards acknowledge the diversity of institutions
focus of the standards is on the student learning experience
standards emphasize institutional assessment and assessment of student learning
standards support innovation as an essential part of continuous institutional improvement
Each standard is expressed in one or two sentences and is then followed by criteria specifying characteristics or qualities that encompass the standard
Institutions and evaluators will use these criteria together with the standards, within the context of institutional mission, to demonstrate or determine compliance
Institutions and evaluators should not use the criteria as a checklist

6. Standard I: Mission and Goals
Criteria:
Clearly defined mission and goals
Realistic, appropriate institutional goals consistent with mission
Goals that focus on student learning outcomes and institutional improvement
Periodic assessment of mission and goals to ensure relevancy

7. Standard I: Mission and Goals
Suggested Evidence
UMB Mission Statement
USM Mission Statement
School Mission Statements
Strategic Plan Themes
School Strategic Plans
Core Values
Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education
University of Maryland Strategic Plan

8. Standard II: Ethics and Integrity
Criteria:
Commitment to academic and intellectual freedom, freedom of expression and intellectual property rights
Climate fostering respect among diverse staff
Grievance policy
Conflict of interest avoidance
Fair personnel practices
Truthful communications
Promoting affordability and informed financial decisions
Compliance with policies, regulations and reporting requirements

9. Standard II: Ethics and Integrity
Suggested Evidence
Core Values
Mission Statement
Code of Ethics and Conduct
Conflict of Interest Policies
Student Honor Codes/Disciplinary Policies
Campus and School Grievance Policies (faculty/staff/student)
Shared Governance at Campus and School Levels
Non-Discrimination Policies
Financial Education and Wellness Efforts
School Accreditations
IESPA Website Data
Academic Freedom Resolution
UMB Policy on Intellectual Property
ADA Policies
Affirmative Action Compliance
APT Policies
IT Acceptable Use Policy
Policy for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading
USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes
USM Policy on Tuition
USM Policy on Tuition Fellowships for Graduate Students
USM Policy on Waiver of Application Fees
Recruitment and Marketing materials

10. Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
Criteria:
Educational programs leading to a recognized degree or credential
Student learning experiences designed, delivered, and assessed by qualified faculty
Clearly and accurately described academic programs
Sufficient learning opportunities and resources
General education program promoting intellectual experience, cultural awareness and reasoning
Graduate and professional programs developing research and scholarship
Compliance with policies, regulations and reporting requirements

11. Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
Suggested Evidence
Student catalogs, handbooks, course catalogs, and other information regarding the student learning experience
Inter-professional student learning and service initiatives
President’s Student Leadership Institute
Diversity training and cultural enrichment
Program development and approval procedures
Faculty review procedures (appointment, promotion, & tenure)
Processes and procedures relevant to the design and delivery of the student learning experience.

12. Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience
Criteria:
Clearly stated policies and processes to admit, retain, and facilitate the success of students
Policies and procedures for evaluation and acceptance of transfer credits
Policies and procedures governing student records
Well regulate athletic, student life and other extracurricular activities
Adequate and appropriate institutional review and approval of third-party student support services
Periodic assessment of the effectiveness of programs supporting the student experience

13. Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience
Suggested Evidence
Reports from student support offices
Student handbooks
Analysis of enrollment management plan (admission, retention, and completion)
Processes and procedures relevant to support of the student experience:
Notice of Non-Discrimination
Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity policy
Complaint Adjudication procedures
Student Employment policy
Addiction and Prevention policy

14. Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment
Criteria:
Clearly stated educational goals at the institution and degree/program levels
Organized and systematic assessments evaluating the extent of student achievement
Consideration and use of assessment results for the improvement of educational effectiveness
Adequate and appropriate institutional review and approval of third-party assessment services
Periodic assessment of the effectiveness of assessment processes utilized by the institution for the improvement of educational effectiveness

15. Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment
Suggested Evidence
Documentation of an implemented, systematic, and sustained process to assess student learning at all levels and utilization of results
Processes and procedures relevant to educational effectiveness assessment
Voluntary System of Accountability Student Learning Outcomes Rubric components:
Groups and individuals engaged in assessment activities
Student Learning Outcome statements
Campus-Level Assessment Plan
Campus-Level Assessment Resources
Campus-Level Assessment Activities
Use of Campus-Level Evidence of Student Learning
Reflection and Growth / Improvement Plan

16. Standard VI: Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement
Criteria:
Clearly stated and assessed institutional objectives
Planning and improvement processes incorporating assessment results
Financial planning and budgeting process aligned with mission and goals
Adequate fiscal and human resources and physical and technical infrastructure
Well-defined decision-making processes
Comprehensive facilities planning
Annual independent audit
Strategies assessing efficient utilization of institutional resources
Periodic assessment of planning, resource allocation and availability, and institutional renewal processes

17. Standard VI: Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement
Suggested Evidence
Strategic plans throughout UMB posted on website
Climate and engagement survey (employee assessment)
Human Resources focus groups
Action plans (if currently practiced)
Mandated Reporting Inventory
Course Evaluations
Annual budget requests
Information Systems Projects
Learning Management System
Community Engagement Center
Employee Job Descriptions
Organizational Charts
Councils, Advisory Boards, Committees, Senates etc.
Annual Budget Meetings
Archibus Software for Facility Planning
Independent USM Audits (Audited Financial Statement and Single Audit)
Fiscal Compliance Audits
Accreditation of Degree Programs
Budget Planning

18. Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and Administration
Criteria:
Clearly articulated and transparent governance structure
Legally constituted governing body accountable for the academic quality, planning, and fiscal well-being of the institution
Chief Executive Officer with authority and autonomy to fulfill position responsibilities
Administration demonstrating systematic procedures for evaluating administrative units and for using assessment data to enhance operations
Periodic assessment of the effectiveness of governance, leadership, and administration

19. Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and Administration
Suggested Evidence
USM and UMB governance policies
Bylaws: Faculty & Staff Senate; Student Government Association
Mission Statement and Strategic Plans
UMB statement, policy and copy of President’s Annual Evaluation
USM policy for recommending and approving new academic programs and certifications; Policy for implementing at UMB
Policy on Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure Policies for faculty and Staff
Minutes or agenda of Board of Regents’ meetings
President, Deans and VPs’ CVs and Job Descriptions
Organization Chart
Policy on reviewing senior institutional leaders at UMB
General policy on Performance Review of UMB faculty and staff
President’s News, transcript of Annual President’s State of the University, other communiques
VP and Executive Committee Agendas and minutes (where focus is on assessment data);
Presidential initiatives
Organization chart and roles and responsibilities of leadership team
Agendas of Faculty and Staff senate meetings; student government reports
President’s policy on evaluating senior staff members;
Transcript of President’s State of the University address
Strategic Plan implementation annual report