Regional Accreditation (Middle States Commission on Higher Education)

The State University of New York has a strong commitment to rigorous and regular assessment to enhance excellence in all aspects of academic and institutional achievement. This commitment was most recently expressed by Trustees Resolution 2010-039, adopted in March 2010, requiring campuses to “enhance quality by developing and implementing plans for the regular assessment of institutional effectiveness, academic programs and general education, such that the campus meets or exceeds the assessment standards set by the New York State Department of Education, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and, as appropriate, programmatic accreditation bodies”. It is understood that regional accreditation is a formative process, intended to assist institutions by means of self study and peer review to reflect on their practices while focusing on student learning. In accordance with this commitment, SUNY is providing campuses with the following resources and contacts in support of regional accreditation processes, including self study, periodic review reporting, monitoring reports, team visits and follow-up visits.

Schedule
A schedule of all SUNY institutions experiencing regional accreditation activities with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Liaisons

MSCHE Liaison: an MSCHE Vice President assigned to an individual campus. Assigned liaisons are found in the detail view under the name of each institution.

Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO): an individual from each campus who serves as the primary contact for regional accreditation issues.

SUNY System Liaisons:SUNY representatives assigned to accompany a visiting team to a campus for an accreditation visit.

Accreditation Liaison Officers Listserv
This listserv is specifically dedicated for use by those individuals appointed by their campuses to serve as Middle States Accreditation Liaison Officers (ALOs).

SUNY Governance: A narrative description of the various types of governance across the University. For additional information about SUNY governance and the Middle States fundamental elements of governance (Standard Four), ALOs should send an e-mail to Assessment.

Certification Statements for SUNY Campuses

Certification Statement: Compliance with Title IV. This statement should be attached to the Executive Summary of the Self Study.

Certification Statement: Compliance with MSCHE Requirements of Affiliation and Related Entities Policy. This statement must be signed by the Chair of the SUNY Board of Trustees.

Resources from the MSCHE website

Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS). Provides institutional information including campus contacts, campus Accreditation Liaison Officers, any follow-up activity needed, and next accreditation action. The SAS also provides the name of the MSCHE liaison assigned to the campus. These statements are found under the name of each institution.

Characteristics of Excellence (Accreditation Standards)

Self Study: Creating a useful process and report (Self study design)

Handbook for conducting and hosting a team visit (for institutions preparing for decennial peer evaluation)

Handbook for Periodic Review Reports

Credit hour policy

Degree and Credit guidelines

HEOA requirements

Guidelines for Follow-up Reports and Visits

Summary of Commission Actions and Types of Evidence Suggested for Follow-up

Document Roadmap template (listing relevant documents for each standard)

Policy on Substantive Change (conditions meeting substantive change definitions, and when to report them)

Substantive Change FAQs

Expectations for Governing Boards

Publications on Assessment, General Education, Distance Learning, Information Literacy, and more