A seven-person team representing the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) will be on Main and Health Science campuses Monday through Wednesday, April 11-13, as part of UT’s continuing accreditation process.
Following a visit in 2012, the Higher Learning Commission continued the University’s accreditation for 10 years. UT has been accredited by the commission since 1922.
“This visit is a comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation, part of a new way HLC works with institutions for ongoing self-reflection and evaluation during the 10-year period of reaffirmation of accreditation,” explained Dr. Dorothea Sawicki, vice provost for health science affairs and university accreditation. “HLC now looks at accreditation as a continual process of focusing on compliance with all the standards and criteria needed by an institution of higher education.”
Serving as co-chairs on the HLC Steering Committee have been Dr. David Meabon, associate professor of educational leadership in the College of Social Justice and Human Service, and Dr. Akira Takashima, professor and chair of medical microbiology and immunology in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
Five criterion teams have been working for the past 18 months to complete the UT Assurance Argument that consists of a narrative and evidence to support how well the University is meeting the five criteria and core components set forth by the Higher Learning Commission.
The five criteria are: Mission; Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct; Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources and Support; Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement; and Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness.
The completed UT Assurance Argument and evidence was submitted to HLC March 11. The argument can be viewed at utoledo.edu/hlc.
During the three-day campus visit, the HLC site team will meet with key UT leadership, faculty, staff, students, and those involved in preparing the Assurance Argument, and will hold open forums.
Open forums will be held:
Monday, April 11 — Main Campus
• Staff: 2 to 3 p.m., Student Union Room 2584
• Students: 3 to 4 p.m., Student Union Room 2582
• Faculty: 4 to 5 p.m., Student Union Room 2582
Tuesday, April 12 — Health Science Campus
• Staff: 1 to 2 p.m., Health Education Building Room 105
• Faculty: 3 to 4 p.m., Health Education Building Room 103
• Students: 4 to 5 p.m., Health Education Building Room 105
“These open forums are important opportunities for the UT community to meet with the reviewers and share their own UT experiences and demonstrate our strong engagement in the review process,” Sawicki said.
Based on the Assurance Argument, campus interviews and additional information found during the visit, the Higher Learning Commission review team will file a complete report and recommendations.
