For more than a century, Wayne State University has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the university is preparing for the next round of evaluation, which will take place on campus March 6 and 7, 2017.
Accreditation serves to guarantee all universities provide students a quality education and that the programs and financial structure necessary to operate are in place. The HLC is the federally recognized accrediting agency responsible for reviewing and evaluating all Michigan universities.
“Accreditation exists to hold all universities accountable,” said Sandra Yee, dean of the Wayne State University Library System and co-chair of WSU’s HLC 2017 Steering Committee. “It assures both the government and the public that we’re holding up our end of the bargain. The HLC makes sure we’re providing a quality education to our students and that we do so consistently, fairly and with transparency.”
Maintaining WSU’s existing accreditation will allow the university to offer new degrees and certifications; sustain access to federally subsidized financial aid; and enable the receipt of public funding for grants, contracts and other programs.
Accreditation directly impacts all members of the campus community, and everyone plays a role in the HLC’s upcoming campus visit. During their visit, HLC representatives will ask students, faculty and staff about Wayne State’s mission and the current strategic plan, Distinctively Wayne State.
“In many ways, the mission and the strategic plan outline what we’re doing day in and day out on campus. They speak to everything we do,” said Hilary Ratner, research professor with the Merrill Palmer Institute and co-chair of the HLC 2017 Steering Committee. “Knowing and understanding them, though, is absolutely crucial to the accreditation process.”
In recent years, the HLC has made significant changes to the accreditation process, including an emphasis on assessment and continuous improvement, a more rigorous examination of data, and a shift in focus that highlights students’ perspectives.
“Wayne State is our university, and it’s only appropriate that we take our institution seriously. Even though we may not realize it, students play a profound role in this process,” said Anthony Kostecki, a senior majoring in psychology and music who is a student representative on the HLC 2017 Steering Committee. “I think it’s important for us to carefully examine and understand WSU’s mission and how it has driven our own experiences as Warriors.”
In the months leading up to the HLC’s campus visit, members of the HLC 2017 Steering Committee will visit various schools, colleges and other units to provide an overview of the accreditation process. They will also share ways all members of the campus community can help prepare for the evaluation, which include adding the mission statement to Blackboard or course syllabi and having conversations around campus about accreditation.
Detailed information can also be found by visiting hlc.wayne.edu.
Wayne State University’s Mission is to create and advance knowledge, prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities.