Following First Virtual Meeting, MSCHE Announces Actions from Its June 2020 Meeting
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has made public the accreditation actions approved at its June 25, 2020, meeting. The Commission meeting was conducted in an all virtual format for the first time. The meeting also marked the final one for President Elizabeth H. Sibolski who retired from MSCHE on June 30, 2020, and completed the transition of the presidency to President-Elect Heather F. Perfetti on July 1, 2020.
In the course of the meeting, the Commission acted to reaffirm the accreditation for four institutions, Arcadia University, Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security, Rowan College at Burlington County, and University of Maryland, College Park, effectively removing them from non-compliance status.
“After a thorough review and in following the Commission’s multi-tiered peer evaluation process, Arcadia University, Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security, Rowan College at Burlington County, and University of Maryland, College Park, are now in compliance with the Commission’s standards of accreditation and requirements of affiliation,” said Dr. James Sunser, chair of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. “All four institutions have now had their accreditation reaffirmed and will submit monitoring reports, as required by policy, to demonstrate continued compliance.”
Arcadia University
To reaffirm accreditation because the institution is now in compliance with Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement) and Requirement of Affiliation 10. To request a monitoring report, due March 1, 2021, demonstrating sustainability of implemented corrective measures and further evidence of periodic assessment of the effectiveness of planning, resource allocation, institutional renewal, and availability of resources (Standard VI). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027.
Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security
To reaffirm accreditation because the institution is now in compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity). To request a monitoring report, due August 1, 2020, demonstrating sustainability of implemented corrective measures and further evidence that the institution is (1) faithful to its mission, honors its contracts and commitments, adheres to its policies, and represents itself truthfully (Standard II), and (2) in compliance with all Commission policies (Standard II and Public Disclosures Policy). A follow-up team visit may follow submission of the monitoring report. To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss the Commission’s expectations.
And in related actions for the institution, details for which can be found in the institution’s directory listing:
To acknowledge receipt of the teach-out plan. To reject the teach-out plan because it provided limited evidence for Commission review. To request a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan, due August 1, 2020, appropriate for planned institutional closure and with items addressed in the Commission’s actions.
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To postpone a decision on the planned institutional closure.
Rowan College at Burlington County
To reaffirm accreditation because the institution is now in compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), and Requirement of Affiliation 5. To request a monitoring report, due March 1, 2021, demonstrating sustainability of implemented corrective measures and further evidence of (1) periodic assessment of the effectiveness of all institutional policies and procedures and the manner in which they are implemented (Standard II), and (2) periodic assessment of the effectiveness of planning, resource allocation, institutional renewal, and availability of resources (Standard VI). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2027-2028.
University of Maryland, College Park
To reaffirm accreditation because the institution is now in compliance with Standard VII (Governance, Leadership and Administration). To request a monitoring report, due March 1, 2021, demonstrating sustainability of implemented corrective measures and further evidence of (1) a clearly articulated and transparent governance structure that outlines roles, responsibilities, and accountability for decision-making by each constituency (Standard VII), and (2) periodic assessment of the effectiveness of governance, leadership and administration (Standard VII). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.
To access all actions related to the June 25 meeting, please click here.
For information about specific MSCHE institutions, visit the institution directory to access a Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS). The Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS) is the official statement of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) about each institution’s current accreditation status and scope of accreditation. The SAS also provides a brief history of the actions taken by the Commission.
Additional information for Commission policies and procedures, as well as links to the Commission actions for each institution can be found at:
Policies and Procedures
https://go.msche.org/Accreditation-Actions
https://go.msche.org/Accreditation-Review-Cycle-and-Monitoring
https://go.msche.org/Standards-for-Accreditation
https://go.msche.org/Communication-In-The-Accreditation-Process
Categories: Accreditation, Commission Actions, The Commission
