Self-Study Documents
Available Reports and Resources
Self-Study Organization and Work Groups
Self-Study Milestones
Contacts and Links
|
|
Welcome
Welcome to SUNY Cortland's Middle States Self Study web page. The College submitted its institutional self study in February 2002 as part of its ten-year reaccreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Middle States external review team made its site visit in March 2002. Planning for the self-study began in Spring 2000, and the major work was done by various committees and individuals during the 2000-01 academic year.
This page is intended to provide a comprehensive and updated description of the reaccreditation process and its multiple activities, for both internal and external constituents. It also contains numerous resources that might be useful to those interested in the self-study as well as those who simply want to learn more about SUNY Cortland.
We will start by explaining some basic concepts to those not familiar with the accrediting process.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a means of self-regulation and peer review adopted by members of the educational community. In the United States, there are six regional accrediting associations, each responsible for a specific geographic area. These organizations develop standards that member institutions must meet. Accreditation, however, is a voluntary process. Institutions choose to apply for accredited status. Once accredited, they agree to abide by the standards of their accrediting organization and to regulate themselves by taking responsibility for their own improvement. In addition, the federal government requires that an institution be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization in order for its students to be eligible to receive financial aid.
After initial accreditation, institutions must undergo a thorough reaccreditation every ten years, with a five-year Periodic Review Report due midway between ten-year reaccreditations. SUNY Cortland completed its last ten-year review in 1992 and submitted its last Periodic Review Report to Middle States in 1997.
As Middle States affirms: "The accrediting process is intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of public confidence. The extent to which each educational institution accepts and fulfills the responsibilities inherent in this process is a measure of its concern for freedom and quality in higher education and of its commitment to strive for and achieve excellence in its endeavors."
What is Middle States?
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is the regional accrediting association responsible for educational institutions in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Panama. The Commission on Higher Education (CHE) is the unit that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the content of our Middle States Self-Study web page or if you are unable to find the information that you seek, please go to the Contacts and Links page and direct your inquiry to the appropriate person.
|
