Title: The Role of the Institutional Research Office in the Institutional Accreditation Self-Study Process.
Abstract: The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) is uniquely poised to assist an institution of higher education in conducting an effective, efficient, and meaningful self-study for reaccreditation. Drawing on the experiences of William Paterson University, New Jersey, this paper describes the steps an OIR can take to help ensure that the self-study process is successful. William Paterson University is in the first stage of the 20-year reaccreditation process, a period in which the University must conduct a self-study and prepare a detailed report. Before the self-study, the IOR should collect and maintain accurate data and serve as a source of institutional data for internal and external purposes. This data should be based on ongoing assessment that is relevant to the self-study process. The OIR must learn the data requirements of the various subcommittees early in the self-study so that it can provide the needed support. The OIR then can prepare a customized list of data resources for each subcommittee and can serve as a clearinghouse for the subcommittees. After the self-study, the IOR can work to fill any data gaps during the period before the accreditation team visits. (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. THE ROLE OF THE INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH OFFICE IN THE INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION SELF-STUDY PROCESS Marianthi Zikopoulos, Ph.D. Associate Director, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation Christopher Hourigan Assistant Director, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation William Paterson University Introduction The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) is uniquely poised to assist an institution of higher education in conducting an effective, efficient, and meaningful self-study for reaccreditation. Drawing on the experiences of William Paterson University, the presenters will highlight the steps the Office of Institutional Research can take to help ensure that the self-study process is a successful one. William Paterson is currently undergoing reaccreditation evaluation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, our accrediting agency. This evaluation aims to determine whether the University continues to meet the accreditation agency's standards of excellence. In determining whether to accredit or reaccredit an institution, Middle States uses the following criteria: The institution must be guided by well-defined and appropriate goals. The institution must have established conditions and procedures under which its goals can be realized. The institution must be accomplishing its goals substantially. The institution must be so organized, staffed, and supported that it can be expected to continue to accomplish its goals. The institution must meet the standards of the MS Association's Commission on Higher Education' . This year, William Paterson University is in the first stage of the two-year reaccreditation process. During this phase the University conducts an in-depth self-study and prepares a detailed report. This report will be revised, based on input from the University community, 1 Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education. (1994). Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education: Standards for Accreditation [WWW Document] URL littp://vo,vw.msache.orgicharexcl.html (visited 1999, June 8), p.1 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) liThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. 2 1 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Publication Year: 2001
Publication Date: 2001-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 3
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