SRU’s self-study design for reaffirmation of accreditation approved by MSCHE
Slippery Rock University’s self-study design for its Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaffirmation of accreditation was recently approved.
June 27, 2019
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has approved Slippery Rock University's self-study design, which is one of the steps SRU must achieve for its reaffirmation of accreditation from the MSCHE. The two-and-a-half-year process began last fall.
The self-study design, which includes identifying institutional priorities that will be used to interpret MSCHE's standards for reaffirmation of accreditation, is a document that details how SRU will approach its self-study in advance of a site visit from a MSCHE peer-reviewed board in 2021. MSCHE accredits institutions from a five-state area once every eight years (formerly 10 years). SRU's last reaffirmation of accreditation came in 2011.
"I read the final draft of the self-study design and it is clear that it will serve as an effective roadmap and reference for the steering committee and its working groups," wrote Sean McKitrick, MSCHE's vice president of institutional field relations, in a letter to SRU President William Behre. "I am very impressed with the leadership of the steering committee and its working groups and am confident that the self-study design will serve as a tool in conducting their work."
McKitrick visited SRU in March to meet with several University groups to discuss the self-study and MSCHE's expectations for the process. His visit concluded the self-study design phase, during which the University completed a survey from students, faculty and staff to identify institutional priorities. Behre selected the four institutional priorities that are highlighted in the self-study design:
• Student success.
• Transformation of students through a quality, flexible, agile and integrated curriculum and cocurriculum using powerful pedagogies and High-Impact Practices.
• Caring community.
• Use of resources: financial, facilities, technology, efficiency and effectiveness, and sustainability.
Mary Hennessey, assistant to the provost, and Rebecca Morrice, associate professor of theatre, are co-chairs of SRU's accreditation steering committee. The steering committee is comprised of chairpersons of nine working groups that are assigned to compile reports on behalf of the seven standards set forth by MSCHE and two additional groups assigned to evidence and communication.
"The approval of the self-study design is an important milestone for reaffirmation of accreditation," Hennessey said. "We are encouraged by the progress we've made so far as we enter our self-study, which is the longest, most thorough phase of the process."
For more information about SRU's MSCHE self-study process, including a link the complete self-study design document (downloadable under the Relevant Documents tab), click here.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu