September 4, 2008
TO: The Saint Michael’s College Community
FROM: John J. Neuhauser
RE: NEASC Self-Study
As most of you are aware, Saint Michael's
College is undertaking a self-study during this
academic year in preparation for
re-accreditation by the New England Association
of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in 2010. Under
the coordination of Kathie Balutansky, Associate
Dean for Academic Affairs, eleven subcommittees
(one for each NEASC standard) are working to
collect and analyze information from across the
College in such areas as the academic program,
students, planning and evaluation, and mission.
The NEASC Steering Committee will prepare the
final self-study report, a draft of which will
be shared with the entire community in the fall
of 2009. The NEASC evaluation team will then
visit campus April 11-14, 2010, and the final
NEASC accreditation decision will be delivered
later in 2010.
It is important that the self-study involve
the participation of all members of the Saint
Michael’s community, and the Steering Committee
will both solicit and welcome input
from faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends
of the College and other interested parties.
This will be an open process that will involve
an ongoing exchange of information between the
Committee and the wider community.
To provide some historical background for
this ten-year re-accreditation process, NEASC
identified four Areas for Special Emphasis
in its response to the College’s 2000
self-study:
Implementing the institution’s
strategic plan, including revisions and
extensions of the plan beyond the year 2010.
Evaluating and improving advising
programs, including addressing faculty
workload issues so that students are assured
appropriate advising.
Enhancing campus diversity consistent
with the institution’s own goals, which
include recruiting a diverse set of students
and developing programs that support ALANA
students.
Implementing student outcomes assessment
of academic programs, including
perspectives and using the results of such
assessment to improve programs.
Since 2000, the College has been working to
address the four areas for special emphasis, but
in its 5-Year Review, the Commission on
Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) stated
that the Self-Study undertaken for the
comprehensive evaluation of 2010 should continue
to give particular emphasis to these areas.
In fact, I am in the process of developing a
revised vision statement that builds on Vision
2010 and will inform a new strategic plan to be
completed by the end of this academic year.
As I indicated in my initial memorandum to
the subcommittee chairs, the self-study is not
merely about re-accreditation; it is, first and
foremost, an opportunity to assess all aspects
of our institution and set the stage for “the
future direction of the College.” I look forward
to working with all of you on this important
activity.
