The Higher Learning Commission has reaffirmed The University of Toledo’s accreditation.
“The mission and the core values of UToledo are innovative and inspiring,” reads the final report from the commission. “The team was encouraged by the leadership, the spirit of the campus community and feel confident that The University of Toledo is well positioned to lead in the region and the larger community of higher education.”
The comprehensive accrediting process includes a detailed assurance argument, also known as a self-study, created by the University that provides evidence to support how well UToledo is meeting the five criteria and core components set forth by the Higher Learning Commission. UToledo submitted its assurance argument Oct. 10.
A team of peer reviewers also conducts a site visit to campus to verify the institution’s submitted materials. A team of six individuals visited UToledo Nov. 8-9 and engaged in a series of forums focused on accreditation criteria and held meetings with a number of University constituents.
The process also included a student opinion survey, a federal compliance filing and a report on the Health Science Campus.
Following that process, the review team submitted a final written report to the HLC Institutional Actions Council, who voted to accept the report and to reaffirm UToledo’s accreditation status for 10 years.
“Each member of our UToledo community should take great pride in this positive review and its confirmation of your dedication to fulfilling our mission,” UToledo President Gregory Postel said. “I want to thank all of the individuals who served on the planning committees, gathered data for our assurance argument and participated in the on-campus site visit with the HLC team.”
The criteria for accreditation includes: Mission; Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct; Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources and Support; Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement; and Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning.
The Higher Learning Commission commended the University for the strength of its community engagement and academics and how it navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. The team noted UToledo’s commitment to strategic planning and continuous improvement, innovative and systematic approach to new programs or initiatives and positive student feedback on research and internship opportunities.
The commission also made recommendations for UToledo to improve academic advising, with a specific focus on the graduate student experience, and identified opportunities to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion actions.
The Higher Learning Commission, founded in 1895, is one of six institutional accreditors in the United States. UToledo has been accredited by the commission since 1922, and the former Medical College of Ohio/Medical University of Ohio had been accredited since 1980.
Additional information about UToledo’s Higher Learning Commission accreditation, including a copy of the 2021 final report, is available at utoledo.edu/hlc.
