Professional Development Day

August 19, 2014

Dr. Lori Baker,

Self-Study Coordinator

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), will be visiting campus on October 20-22, 2014.

HLC Pyramid

• “Communicate effectively”• Strategic Planning• Integrity• Criteria• Liberal Education Program• Continuous Improvement• Higher Learning Commission

HLC Pyramid

• Mission statement• Self-Study• Professional development• Teaching and Learning• Assessment• Creative thinking• Budget

HLC Pyramid

• Diversity• Office of Student Success• Residential Life• Civic engagement• Federal Compliance• AHA• CFI

HLC Pyramid Reflection

• The terms/phrases being guessed--why would I have chosen those?

• Descriptions for the words/phrases--how would you define or identify them? The same? Different in some way?

• Are you prepared to discuss these concepts with the HLC Peer Reviewers?

Faculty Role

• Preparing Yourself

• Providing Required Materials

• Preparing Students

Preparing Yourself• View this as an opportunity for the

University; rarely do we get such dedicated time and energy to focus on learning about the whole institution

• Read the self-study: search for key terms and check out those sections; read the “Response to the 2004 Review” and introduction; read the strengths and recommendations

• Scheduling• Know that certain committees will be

asked to meet with reviewers• Know that there will be an open session

with faculty that we hope you come to

Providing Required Materials I

Vita

•Needed from all faculty and MSUAASF teaching a course•Current (from within the last 3 years) electronic copy •Email by September 5th to LeeAnn Teig, English OAS (leeann.teig@smsu.edu)•Please take a moment to update your directory profile information

o Log in to SouthwestNeto Instructions on Web Services website

Providing Required Materials II

Syllabi

•Need at least one syllabus for every class taught at SMSU for past 2 years•Please provide your syllabi to your department’s OAS (secretary)•Our electronic version of the syllabi will be for HLC’s review only•Syllabi will be stored in an electronic folder accessible to the peer reviewers•If your department collects syllabi for other purposes, that is up to your department/program policies.

Preparing Students• Please provide a description of what is

happening to your students • Description on syllabus• Information on D2L• Share in class

Sample language (provided on HLC website and via email):

SMSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Accreditation is necessary for continued federal funding and recognition of credits. In order to remain accredited, every ten years the University must be reviewed. On Oct. 20-22, a team of reviewers will be visiting campus. They will be asking students, faculty, and community members what they think about the University and what their experiences have been. A special open meeting will be held for students. Please welcome them and answer their questions. For more information, see the website www.smsu.edu/go/hlc/.

Preparing Students

•LEP 100 and LEP 400 sections: request a special emphasis in those courses in particular

•Help get students to the open student meeting with reviewers; consider extra credit

•Let the students know that HLC peer reviewers might stop and talk to them and ask them about their experience at SMSU

What Reviewers Might Ask:Students

Questions might include topics like:

•What is SMSU known for?•What do you like best about SMSU?•What would you change if you could?•What is it like to be here? Do you feel like you have support?•Describe the LEP for me. Do you know why you have to take these courses?•Have you ever used the Office of Student Support?•What is the capstone experience like?•Do you know about the self-study?

What Reviewers Might Ask:Faculty

Questions might include topics like:

•What is SMSU known for?•What do you like best about SMSU?•What would you change if you could?•Do you have academic freedom?•Do you have support? A voice?•How does shared governance really work?•Are you comfortable with the tenure/promotion/review process?•Do you know about the self-study?•How was the budget situation handled? Did you have an opportunity to contribute?

YOU are SMSU

You can help by •Knowing what accreditation is and how it helps us identify what we do best and improve what we want to do better•Knowing your university mission•Raising awareness of the upcoming visit•Taking part in the open meeting and other opportunities to interact with the reviewers

Questions? lori.baker@smsu.edu