STATEMENT OF ACCREDITATION STATUS

CORNELL UNIVERSITY
300 Day Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Phone: (607) 255-2000; Fax: (607) 255-9924
www.cornell.edu

Most Recent Commission Action:

April 30, 2008:

To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request submitted by the institution and to include the Master of Engineering - Systems Engineering distance learning program within the scope of the institution's accreditation effective upon receipt of New York State Education Department approval. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2010-2011.

April 30, 2008:

To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request submitted by the institution and to include the additional location at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India within the scope of the institution's accreditation.

Brief History Since Last Comprehensive Evaluation:

November 16, 2006:

To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation.

November 16, 2006:

To thank the institution for receiving the Commission's representative, and to affirm inclusion of the additional location in Doha, Qatar within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To accept the progress letter and to remind the institution of the two progress letters, due by April 1, 2007, the first, documenting the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for the assessment of student learning for the Boardroom Executive MBA distance learning program and the second, documenting the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for the assessment of student learning for the Palisades, NY site. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2010-2011.

March 8, 2007:

To acknowledge receipt of the New York State Education Department letters of approval submitted by the institution and to include the additional location in Palisades, NY and the distance learning (videoconferencing) Boardroom Executive MBA program within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution that the Commission previously requested two progress letters, due by April 1, 2007, documenting (1) the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for the assessment of student learning for the Palisades, NY site, and (2) the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for the assessment of student learning for the distance learning program. To further remind the institution that the Commission directed a site visit within six months after the Palisades, NY additional location had been established. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2010-2011.

June 28, 2007:

To accept the progress letter submitted by the institution.

June 28, 2007:

To thank the institution for receiving the Commission's representative, and to affirm inclusion of the additional location at the IBM Palisades, Route 9W, Palisades, New York within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2010-2011.

November 15, 2007:

To thank the institution for receiving the Commission's representative, and to affirm inclusion of the additional location at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2010-2011.

January 2, 2008:

To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request submitted by the institution and to include the additional location at Bahir Dar University in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2010-2011.

Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2010 - 2011

Next Periodic Review Report: 2016

Date Printed: September 4, 2008

DEFINITIONS

Branch Campus - A location of an institution that is geographically apart and independent of the main campus of the institution. The location is independent if the location: offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential; has its own faculty and administrative or supervisory organization; and has its own budgetary and hiring authority.

Additional Location - A location, other than a branch campus, that is geographically apart from the main campus and at which the institution offers at least 50 percent of an educational program.

Other Instructional Sites - A location, other than a branch campus or additional location, at which the institution offers one or more courses for credit.

Distance Learning Programs - Yes or No indicates whether or not the institution has been approved to offer one or more degree or certificate/diploma programs for which students could meet 50% or more of their requirements by taking distance learning courses.

EXPLANATION OF COMMISSION ACTIONS

An institution's accreditation continues unless it is explicitly suspended or removed. In addition to reviewing the institution's accreditation status at least every 5 years, actions are taken for substantive changes (such as a new degree or geographic site, or a change of ownership) or when other events occur that require review for continued compliance. Any type of report or visit required by the Commission is reviewed and voted on by the Commission after it is completed.

In increasing order of seriousness, a report by an institution to the Commission may be accepted, acknowledged, or rejected.

Levels of Actions:

Grant or Re-Affirm Accreditation without follow-up

Defer a decision on initial accreditation: The institution shows promise but the evaluation team has identified issues of concern and recommends that the institution be given a specified time period to address those concerns.

Postpone a decision on (reaffirmation of) accreditation: The Commission has determined that there is insufficient information to substantiate institutional compliance with one or more standards.

Continue accreditation: A delay of up to one year may be granted to ensure a current and accurate representation of the institution or in the event of circumstances beyond the institution’s control (natural disaster, U.S. State Department travel warnings, etc.)

Recommendations to be addressed in the next Periodic Review Report: Suggestions for improvement are given, but no follow-up is needed for compliance.

Supplemental Information Report: This is required when a decision is postponed and are intended only to allow the institution to provide further information, not to give the institution time to formulate plans or initiate remedial action.

Progress letter: The Commission needs assurance that the institution is carrying out activities that were planned or were being implemented at the time of a report or on-site visit.

Monitoring report: There is a potential for the institution to become non-compliant with MSCHE standards; issues are more complex or more numerous; or issues require a substantive, detailed report. A visit may or may not be required.

Warning: The institution appears not to be in compliance with one or more of the Commission's standards. A monitoring report is required, with or without an on-site visit. A "Public Disclosure Statement" is issued by the Commission.

Probation: The institution fails to meet one or more standards. A monitoring report is required, with or without an on-site visit. A "Public Disclosure Statement" is issued by the Commission.

Suspend accreditation: Accreditation has been Continued for one year and an appropriate evaluation is not possible. This is a procedural action that would result in Removal of Accreditation if accreditation cannot be reaffirmed within the period of suspension.

Show cause why the institution's accreditation should not be removed: The institution is required to present its case for accreditation by means of a substantive report and/or an on-site evaluation. A "Public Disclosure Statement" is issued by the Commission.

Remove accreditation. If the institution appeals this action, its accreditation remains in effect until the appeal is completed.

Other actions are described in the Commission policy, "Range of Commission Actions on Accreditation."