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From start to finish, the Middle States self-study period has covered about three academic years. The first year (2016-2017) was all about preparation - organizing the approach and necessary leadership; bringing together the Steering Committee and Working Groups; and completing the University's Design for Self-Study, a document submitted to and approved by Middle States before the study itself began.

During year two (2017-2018), the University community conducted the self-study, identifying the ways in which it meets Middle States Standards for Accreditation in the context of its own mission and goals and answering research questions that view those standards in connection to our institutional goals. Working Groups prepared reports for each of the seven standards that include recommendations for continuous improvement. During the summer of 2018, a draft of the full Self-Study Report was prepared by the Steering Committee Co-Chairs.  

In the fall of the third year (2018-2019), the University community reviewed the draft self-study report and hosted a preliminary visit from the Middle States Peer Review Team chair, making any final adjustments needed before the final Report was approved by the University's President's Cabinet and Board of Trustees, and then submitted to Middle States in January 2019.

The University hosted a Peer Review Team on March 3-6, 2019, welcoming colleagues from other Middle States-accredited institutions to review and validate the findings of our Report. During their time with us, Team members met with a wide number of individual and groups on campus. The Team's own report and other Self-Study documents were then reviewed by the Middle States Commission, which responded with a formal action reaffirming the University's accreditation. 

for a PDF version of the Self-Study Timeline.

Timeline Milestones for ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Self-Study 

Summer 2016

• University receives invitation to attend the fall 2016 MSCHE Self-Study Institute COMPLETE
• University President Appoints Self-Study Co-Chairs COMPLETE

Fall 2016

• Steering Committee Members^[1] Selected COMPLETE
• Co-chairs attend the Self-Study Institute held to orient institutions beginning the self-study process (October 31 – November 1) COMPLETE
• Steering Committee Begins Design for Self Study COMPLETE
• Preparatory visit for MSCHE Staff liaison is scheduled COMPLETE

Winter/Intersession 2017

• Self-Study Design Preparation Continues COMPLETE
• Initial Document Roadmap (evidence & resources) compiled COMPLETE

Spring 2017

• Draft Self-Study design is finalized and submitted to MSCHE (March 17) COMPLETE
• University hosts MSCHE Staff Liaison preparatory visit (March 31) COMPLETE
• Revised Self-Study design submitted, approved by MSCHE Vice President (April/May) COMPLETE
  
• Working Groups Assigned COMPLETE
  

Summer 2017

• Working Groups study their MSCHE standard(s), research questions; identify evidence they wish to consider COMPLETE
  
• Additional gathering & compilation of evidence and other documentation for Document Roadmap COMPLETE
  
• Workshop for Coordinating Committee, Steering Committee and Working Groups (August) COMPLETE
  

Fall 2017

• Steering Committee, Working Groups review evidence, conduct research COMPLETE
• Fall Campus Town Hall Meetings  COMPLETE
  
• First Draft Working Group Outlines (December 1) COMPLETE

Intersesssion 2018

• First Draft Working Group Reports complete (January 31) COMPLETE
  
• Co-Chairs review and respond to first draft Working Group reports COMPLETE
  
• Working Groups continue research, incorporate feedback COMPLETE

Spring 2018

• Steering Committee, Working Groups continue research, prepare revised draft reports COMPLETE
• MSCHE selects and notifies University of the evaluation team chair; dates for team visit and for the chair’s preliminary visit set COMPLETE
• Spring Campus Fora and Topical Meetings, Meetings with Senates  COMPLETE
  
• Final Working Group Reports complete, posted for Campus Review (May 31) COMPLETE

Summer 2018

• Co-Chairs incorporate feedback & revise drafts, prepare first draft of full Self-Study report COMPLETE
• MSCHE selects evaluation team members COMPLETE

Fall 2018

• University community reviews draft Self-Study report (September/October/November) COMPLETE
  
• Team Chair Preliminary Campus Visit ^[2] (November 8-9) COMPLETE
  
• President’s Cabinet, Board of Trustees Approves Final Self Study Report (November 30) COMPLETE
  

Intersession/Winter 2019

• Final Editorial Review and Revisions; Self Study Report Documentation Compiled (December/January) COMPLETE
  
• University ALO submits final Self-Study Report, Compliance Report to MSCHE, Evaluation Team Chair ^[4] (January) COMPLETE
  

Spring 2019

• Uuniversity hosts Evaluation Team visit, Draft Team Reporting (March 3-6) COMPLETE
  
• University submits institutional response (April) COMPLETE
  
• Commission review of Team report, University response; Determines Action (June/July) COMPLETE
  

Summer 2019

• University Receives MSCHE Action (July) COMPLETE

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[1] Steering Committee members will serve as chairs of Working Groups for each MSCHE Standard. [2] Draft report to Visiting Team Chair at least 2 weeks prior to visit. [3] Accreditation Liaison Officer. [4] Draft to Visiting Team Chair at least 6 weeks prior to Team Visit. Target Date: January 7, 2019.