The University of Chicago is currently engaged in a reaffirmation of accreditation process, in which an institution of higher education is deemed of sufficient quality to remain eligible to receive federal funds for student financial aid and faculty research grants. Since 1913, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association has continuously accredited the University of Chicago.
The accreditation process is based on a system of peer review. Educators from institutions of higher education, who are trained in Higher Learning Commission standards, visit the campus of another college or university to evaluate whether that institution meets the criteria for accreditation. The team then makes recommendations to the commission’s decision-making bodies.
The peer reviewers examine an institution’s policies, procedures, studies, reports and other documents, as well as what the Commission calls “assurance arguments,” texts the institution has prepared to address the commission’s five criteria for accreditation. The criteria broadly encompass:
- Mission
- Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
- Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
- Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
- Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness
These assurance arguments are available to members of the University of Chicago community with a CNet ID.
In addition to reviewing the extensive written materials, an eight-person team of college and university faculty and administrators will visit campus Monday, Oct. 5, and the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The site visit allows reviewers to clarify and confirm what they have read by observing and experiencing the campus and by speaking directly with faculty, students, staff and University leadership.
Engagement by members of the University community is welcomed, and there will be open forums scheduled to discuss the five reaccreditation criteria above. In addition, team members will offer drop-in sessions that are open to anyone and any topic related to the University.
The full schedule for the open forums and drop-in sessions is listed on the Accreditation web page.
The visiting team is expected to submit to the commission its report and recommendations shortly after its campus visit. A council of the commission will further review the visiting team’s assessment. The University expects to receive notification in the winter of 2016 about the commission’s accreditation decision.
For more information on the accreditation process, please visit http://www.uchicago.edu/about/accreditation/.
—Prof. Jacqueline Stewart
