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 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 2024 - 2025 Self-Study Evaluation using the New 7 Standards MSCHE Evaluator Team Site Visit Requirements of Affiliation
1. Authorized or licensed to operate as a postsecondary educational institution and to award postsecondary degrees 2. Operational, with students actively enrolled in degree programs 3. At least one graduating class before evaluation team visit for initial accreditation 4. Representatives communicate with the Commission in English, both orally and in writing 5. Compliance with all applicable government (usually Federal and state) laws and regulations 6. Compliance with applicable Commission, interregional, and interinstitutional policies 7. Mission statement and related goals, approved by its governing board 8. Systematic evaluation of educational and other programs Requirements of Affiliation (cont.) 9. Student learning programs and opportunities characterized by rigor, coherence, and appropriate assessment of student achievement 10. 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 11. Documentation of adequate financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development and regular audits 12. Disclosure of legally constituted governance structure 13. Adherence to conflict of interest policy 14. Availability of accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations 15. Core of faculty assuring continuity and coherence of the institutions educational programs. 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 Standard I: Mission and Goals Criteria: 1. Clearly defined mission and goals 2. Realistic, appropriate institutional goals consistent with mission 3. Goals that focus on student learning outcomes and institutional improvement 4. Periodic assessment of mission and goals to ensure relevancy 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 2010-2020 Strategic Plan Standard II: Ethics and Integrity Criteria: 1. Commitment to academic and intellectual freedom, freedom
of expression and intellectual property rights 2. Climate fostering respect among diverse staff 3. Grievance policy 4. Conflict of interest avoidance 5. Fair personnel practices 6. Truthful communications 7. Promoting affordability and informed financial decisions 8. Compliance with policies, regulations and reporting requirements 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 Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience Criteria: 1. Educational programs leading to a recognized degree or credential 2. Student learning experiences designed, delivered, and assessed by qualified faculty 3. Clearly and accurately described academic programs 4. Sufficient learning opportunities and resources
5. General education program promoting intellectual experience, cultural awareness and reasoning 6. Graduate and professional programs developing research and scholarship 7. Compliance with policies, regulations and reporting requirements 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 Presidents 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.
Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience Criteria: 1. Clearly stated policies and processes to admit, retain, and facilitate the success of students 2. Policies and procedures for evaluation and acceptance of transfer credits 3. Policies and procedures governing student records 4. Well regulate athletic, student life and other extracurricular activities 5. Adequate and appropriate institutional review and approval of third-party student support services 6. Periodic assessment of the effectiveness of programs supporting the student experience 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 Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment Criteria: 1. Clearly stated educational goals at the institution and degree/program levels 2. Organized and systematic assessments evaluating the extent of student achievement
3. Consideration and use of assessment results for the improvement of educational effectiveness 4. Adequate and appropriate institutional review and approval of third-party assessment services 5. Periodic assessment of the effectiveness of assessment processes utilized by the institution for the improvement of educational effectiveness 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 Standard VI: Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement Criteria: 1. Clearly stated and assessed institutional objectives 2. Planning and improvement processes incorporating assessment results 3. Financial planning and budgeting process aligned with mission and goals
4. Adequate fiscal and human resources and physical and technical infrastructure 5. Well-defined decision-making processes 6. Comprehensive facilities planning 7. Annual independent audit 8. Strategies assessing efficient utilization of institutional resources 9. Periodic assessment of planning, resource allocation and availability, and institutional renewal processes 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 Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and
Administration Criteria: 1. Clearly articulated and transparent governance structure 2. Legally constituted governing body accountable for the academic quality, planning, and fiscal well-being of the institution 3. Chief Executive Officer with authority and autonomy to fulfill position responsibilities 4. Administration demonstrating systematic procedures for evaluating administrative units and for using assessment data to enhance operations 5. Periodic assessment of the effectiveness of governance, leadership, and administration 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 Presidents 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 Presidents News, transcript of Annual Presidents 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 Presidents policy on evaluating senior staff members; Transcript of Presidents State of the University address Strategic Plan implementation annual report
