Reaccreditation: University undergoes weeklong ‘final exam’
After three years of study, NDSU takes its final exam next week.
Ten evaluators will visit campus to decide whether to reaccredit the institution, culminating three years of preparation for the university.
“ Accreditation is a major item that has an impact campus wide,” Bob Harrold, director of accreditation and assessment, said. “Accreditation impacts opportunities for students to receive financial aid, student opportunities for admission to reputable graduate schools and for many jobs, and faculty opportunities for research grants.”
The process began with forming a committee to do a self-study of NDSU, which was broken down into specific areas. Over the course of the following three years, a committee of reviewers examined certain areas and the data was compiled into a Self-Study Report.
The document was recently finalized and uploaded to the NDSU reaccreditation Web site, Harrold said. CDs containing the document were also distributed to student leaders.
One major aspect of the document is the chapter on student learning. The evaluators will decide if NDSU is providing an appropriate education for its students, Harrold said.
As a leader on campus, Student President Kevin Teigen has read through much of the document and found it to be truthful.
“ It looks like it paints a pretty accurate picture,” Teigen said. “It’s not just the good aspects of the university. It’s a very honest look at what the university has.”
The purpose of the self-study was to be analytical, not documentary, Harrold said. It contains the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities that have been addressed as effectively as the committee could.
Students on campus will have the opportunity to play a role in the evaluation when the 10 academic evaluators have time to venture through campus. This is the time when evaluators will go to the Memorial Union or dining centers to talk with students about NDSU, Harrold said.
Being prepared for an impromptu stop can make a difference in how NDSU is assessed.
“ Just try to be familiar with things associated with (the reaccreditation visit),” Teigen said. “Peruse the CD or the download information that’s available on the Web site.”
Bookmarks with general information about the visit will be distributed, as well as materials for residence life to send out to students, Teigen said.
Students can voluntarily involve themselves in the evaluation by participating in an open forum scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Memorial Union Century Theater.
An open forum is also scheduled for faculty at 2 p.m., staff at 3 p.m. and the general public at 4 p.m.
The final decision about NDSU’s reaccreditation will not be known until late this fall.
The Report is available at www.ndsu.nodak.edu/accreditation.