October 7, 2004

Accreditation; Team visits Oct. 10

Staff invited to Oct. 11 group meetings

Northwestern will undergo an evaluation visit Oct. 10-13 by a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. North-western has been accredited by the Commission since 1913.

The Higher Learning Commission is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. Accreditation is voluntary. The Commission accredits approximately 950 institutions of higher education in a 19-state region. The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For the past two years, Northwestern has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the Commission’s requirements and criteria for accreditation. The evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for the university; following a review process, the Commission itself will take the final action.

Team members will speak with undergraduates, graduate and professional students, faculty, staff and administrators on both campuses and with officers of NUSAC.

Staff members may also attend group meetings with the evaluation team. The Evanston campus session will be from 4 to 4:50 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Ohio State Room of Norris University Center; the Chicago campus session will be from 2 to 2:50 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Parillo Courtroom, room 155, Arthur Rubloff Building. Staff members need their supervisor’s approval to attend.