Self-Study Process

Preparation for the 2005 self-study began soon after notification of 10-year continuing accreditation from the Commission in February, 1996, with the formation of the North Central Review Committee in 1997. The charge given that committee by Missouri State University President John Keiser was to monitor the progress made by Missouri State in addressing concerns enumerated in the 1995 Site Team Report. The NCA/HLC Review Committee reported annually to the Administrative Council. Additionally, the NCA Review Committee was asked to monitor changes in Commission policy, statements, and, more recently, criteria for accreditation and to report any changes to the University community. To this end, at least one representative from Missouri State University has attended the NCA/HLC annual meeting each year since 1992. University representatives have attended regional workshops as well as workshops concerning the various changes at the NCA/HLC annual meeting. The University’s interest and involvement in Commission activities goes beyond attendance at meetings and monitoring policy changes. It should be noted that representatives from Missouri State University have conducted two workshops and presented three papers at the annual meetings since 1996 (Appendix 1).

The Steering Committee for the 2005 self-study and site visit was formed and began meeting in January 2003, a year before receiving notification from the Commission of the University’s 2005 site visit. The Steering Committee met monthly during 2003, increasing to twice monthly in 2004. Beginning in June 2004, the Steering Committee will meet weekly.

Developing a feature of the 1995 self-study, the Steering Committee chose to link the 2005 self-study and the University’s continuing long-range planning process. This linkage has been endorsed by President Keiser and the Administrative Council. As can be seen from the self-study timeline, both the self-study and the next long-range plan, Daring to Excel, officially began in January 2004. The Criteria for Accreditation were made a part of the planning process and will be distributed to the campus community as work progresses on both efforts http://missouristate.edu/daringtoexcel/  and http://accreditation.missouristate.edu. Preparation for both the long-range plan and the 2005 Self-Study will use existing committees to the fullest extent and with as little duplication of effort as possible. A set of "core questions" will be used as both processes proceed. The Steering Committee intends that Daring to Excel will be Part I of the 2005 Self-Study. Part II will evaluate the degree to which Missouri State University meets the HLC Criteria and Core Components as well as evaluate the University’s ongoing planning efforts. The result should not only provide convincing documentation that Missouri State University meets all Criteria for Accreditation, but also prove beneficial to the University as it continues to plan, implement, and evaluate changes to better meet the needs of its many constituencies.

See the timeline for the 2005 self-study and the next long-range vision and five-year plan. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print this document.