Middle States Commission on Higher Education

About the Conference
We invite you to join us in Philadelphia - the birthplace of our nation - for Accreditation in a Changing Environment, the 2012 Annual Conference of the Commission on Higher Education.

Building on the success of last year's record-breaking conference, this year we will continue to offer practical ideas and exemplary practices through our outstanding plenary speakers, concurrent sessions, and pre-conference workshops. Topics to be addressed include assessment issues, the self-study process, new federal regulations, follow-up reporting, substantive change, and much more. With increasing demands for greater institutional accountability from government, students, parents, and others, these issues have never been more important. We hope to see you in Philadelphia!

R. Barbara Gitenstein, Ph.D., Chair of the Commission; and President, The College of New Jersey
Elizabeth H. Sibolski, Ph.D., President of the Commission
Davie Gilmour, Ph.D., Commissioner, Chair of the Program Committee; and President, Pennsylvania College of Technology

2012 Annual Conference Planning Committee
Organizers
KJ Fitzpatrick, MSCHE Director for Events and Training
Victoria Clark, MSCHE Assistant Director for Events and Training
Richard J. Pokrass, MSCHE Director for Communications and Public Relations
Program Committee/Reviewers
Davie Gilmour, Chair; MSCHE Commissioner; and President, Pennsylvania College of Technology
Barbara Samuel Loftus, Vice President of Planning, Misericordia University
Ellie Fogarty, Debra Klinman, and Mary Ellen Petrisko, MSCHE Vice Presidents

Preliminary Program

Preliminary Program - Full Printed Version
Click HERE to download pdf version of the Preliminary Program.

Program at a Glance
Click HERE to download pdf version of the program chart.

Pre-conference Workshops
Wednesday, December 5, 2012 (Click HERE for information.)

Conference Program
Wednesday, December 5, 2012 (Click HERE for information.)
Thursday, December 6, 2012 (Click HERE for information.)
Friday, December 7, 2012 (Click HERE for information.)

Meet with Your MSCHE Liaison
The MSCHE Vice Presidents have set aside time during the Annual Conference for brief meetings with representatives of the institutions for which they serve as liaison. Time slots are limited and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to arrange a brief meeting with the Vice President assigned to your instituion, please contact Diana Bonner, Executive Assistant to the Vice Presidents, at dbonner@msche.org. If you are not certain who your liaison is, click HERE, then locate and click on the name of your institution.

The contents of all presentations are developed by the individual speakers. With the exception of Commission staff presenters, MSCHE neither implies its endorsement or support of the comments of individual presenters. Individual recording (audio or visual) of conference presentations is strictly prohibited. All conference functions are subject to change and/or cancellation due to circumstances beyond the control of the Commission.

Conference Exhibit & Bookstore

Exhibit
The Exhibit Hall is a popular place to explore the new products and services offered by participating companies, and to network with professional peers. In addition to the exhibits, the hall will feature continental breakfast each day for conference attendees, Internet stations, the Conference Bookstore and Hospitality Booth. This year's conference features a dedicated Thursday afternoon time block to visit exclusively with the exhibitors.

Exhibit Schedule
Wednesday, December 5
Exhibit Hall Welcome Reception · 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Thursday, December 6
Exhibit Hall Open · 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall · 7:30 – 8:45 am
Exclusive Exhibit Block and Refreshment Break · 2:15 - 3:30 pm

Friday, December 7
Exhibit Hall Open · 7:30 – 11:30 am
Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall · 7:30 – 8:45 am
Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall · 11:00 - 11:15 am

Conference Bookstore & Hospitality Booth
This year's MSCHE conference bookstore will contain a selection of books on assessment, planning, and institutional effectiveness from leading publishers. Also available for purchase will be a variety of recent Commission publications. Stop by, browse, and select your favorites. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express will be accepted for all purchases. The hospitality booth will feature brochures on Philadelphia attractions, as well as the Commission's complimentary Conference Restaurant Guide.

List of Current Exhibitors
(with links to exhibitor websites - bold type indicates additional sponsorship)

Prospective Exhibitors
The exhibit hall is sold out. If your company is interested in exhibiting at this year's conference, you may request to be added to the exhibit wait list by calling 267-284-5000.

Unless otherwise noted, the registration fee includes all general sessions, exhibits, welcome reception, attendees' lunch, and breakfasts with exhibitors. Pre-conference workshops require additional fees (see below). Badges and conference materials will be held for attendees' arrival at the conference. All registrations must be completed online with a credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or American Express only). Checks and purchase orders are not accepted.

Pre-Conference Workshop Information & Fees

Four pre-conference workshops are offered during this year's meeting. Each workshop has a maximum attendance, so early registration is encouraged. Click HERE for descriptions of pre-conference workshops. Pre-conference workshop participants must register for the full conference in addition to the pre-conference workshop. Pre-conference workshops are separately ticketed activities within the annual conference, and require payment of additional fees (see below for fee amounts). Pre-conference workshops will not be available for on-site registration. Registration is required prior to November 25, 2012. REGISTRATION CLOSED - REGISTRATION FOR PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS NOT AVAILABLE ON-SITE.

Full-day Workshops
W-1: Evidence of Compliance: What Is the Commission Really Looking For?
$235 -- Fee includes lunch, refreshment breaks, and publication.

W-2: Understanding and Using Student Learning Assessment Results
$215 -- Fee includes lunch and refreshment breaks.

W-3: Compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act: A Low-Cost Model That Works
$215 -- Fee includes lunch and refreshment breaks.

Half-day Workshops
W-4: Self-Study: Writing the Report and Preparing for the Team Visit
$135 -- Fee includes lunch and refreshment break.

Changes/Cancellations
If you need to make changes or cancel your reservation, please click HERE. You will need your confirmation number.

Refunds
To qualify for a refund, registrations must be canceled online by November 9, 2012. A cancellation fee of $75 will be assessed, regardless of reason for the cancellation. Annual Conference "no shows" are not entitled to a refund. To qualify for a pre-conference workshop refund, registrants must cancel online by November 9, 2012. A cancellation fee of $50 will be assessed for full-day workshops and $25 for half-day workshops.

On-Site Registration
On-site registration will take place in the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel, Convention Registration Desk - 5th Floor - during the following hours: Wednesday, December 5, 7:30 am - 6:30 pm; Thursday, December 6, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm; and Friday, December 7, 7:30 am - 11:30 am. Note that registration for pre-conference workshops will not be available on-site.

Throughout the conference, MSCHE will be photographing plenary sessions, breakout sessions, other events, and Exhibit Hall activities. These photos may be used in future Commission newsletters, promotional materials for other MSCHE-sponsored conferences and workshops, and other MSCHE publications, both print and electronic. By participating in the conference, all attendees agree to be photographed and to allow the Commission to use such photographs for promotional and informational purposes.

Accommodations

The 2012 MSCHE Annual Conference will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The hotel commands a towering presence in the heart of America's original capital city. Surrounded by rich revolutionary history and culture, guests at this Center City hotel enjoy close proximity to historic attractions.

Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the National Constitution Center are a short walk, cab, or bus ride away. A collection of Philadelphia's finest restaurants are located on-site or within walking distance of the hotel. Also nearby are some of the city's top shopping and entertainment venues. The hotel is ideal for travelers, with its close proximity to various modes of transportation. SEPTA's Market East commuter rail station is one block from the hotel, while Amtrak's historic 30th Street Station is one mile away, and Philadelphia International Airport is just nine miles away (direct rail service is available from the airport to the Market East station). The Greyhound bus terminal is approximately three blocks from the hotel.

Conference Rate
$209 per night plus applicable taxes (single or double occupancy). All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit. Reservations must be cancelled at least 72 hours prior to the arrival date to avoid a cancellation fee. On-site parking is available for an additional fee. When making a telephone reservation, you must indicate that you are attending the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Annual Conference.

Make Your Reservation
Online: Click HERE.
Telephone: Call 877-212-5752 (Indicate that you are attending the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Annual Conference.)

It is recommended that you make your hotel reservation early. While MSCHE has secured a sufficient number of rooms for all conference attendees, reservations are made on a space and type-available basis. Once the group block is sold out, the conference rate may not be available on all nights. The hotel will hold the room block until Friday, November 9, 2012. After this date, any unreserved rooms in the MSCHE room block will be relased for general sale to the public on a space and rate-available basis. As a courtesy to your colleagues, please finalize your reservation early and cancel any unneeded room nights. This will allow others the opportunity to stay at the conference hotel. ROOM BLOCK IS CLOSED.

Philadelphia Skyline Photo Credit: Bob Krist - Courtesy of Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hotel Photo Credits: Courtesy of Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel

2012 (December) MSCHE Annual Conference

MSCHE 2012 Annual Conference
December 5-7 • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel

2012 (December) MSCHE Annual Conference

MSCHE 2012 Annual Conference December 5-7 • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel

MSCHE 2012 Annual Conference
December 5-7 • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania