Reaccreditation is Launched

A 12-month comprehensive self-study offers a unique opportunity for ‘critical self-reflection.’

The University has begun the process to obtain a new eight-year accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 18, 2018) — Over the next 12 months, the University community will be engaged in an institutional self-study as part of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) reaccreditation process.

The University is seeking an eight-year reaccreditation from MSCHE, which evaluates colleges and universities in the Middle States region, comprised of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Institutional accreditation is an important component of the quality assurance process in the United States to assure students and the public of the integrity of the postsecondary educational offerings of an institution.

President Rodríguez addresses UAlbany's Middle States Steering Committee.

According to MSCHE, “The Commission’s accreditation process ensures institutional accountability, self-appraisal, improvement, and innovation through peer review and the rigorous application of standards within the context of institutional mission.” Accreditation is also a requirement for students to be eligible for federal financial aid.

On Sept. 6, President Rodríguez charged the University’s Middle States Steering Committee, noting that “this process is an opportunity for critical self-reflection by the University and an important complement to our recently developed strategic plan.” The five priorities of the strategic plan will be integral to the development of the self-study.

The Steering Committee, co-chaired by Jeanette Altarriba, vice provost and dean for Undergraduate Education, and Jason Lane, interim dean of the School of Education, will coordinate seven working groups that will be central to evaluating the University in relation to the seven standards of the Commission.

A full listing of the Self-Study Steering Committee can be found on the self-study webpage, an internal wiki that will be used to keep the University community up-to-date on the self-study process. In addition, the Steering Committee is planning a comprehensive engagement strategy to ensure that both internal and external stakeholders have the opportunity to be part of the self-study process.

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