Update on the Middle States Re-Accreditation Process - Cheryl George

As you know, Lebanon Valley College is seeking institutional re-accreditation, a process which culminates in a visit from the Evaluation Team in Spring 2012. This message provides an update on the Middle States re-accreditation process, which continues to move forward and meet established timelines.

As early as Fall 2009, planning was beginning for the Middle States self-study.  Mike Green assumed the role of Middle States Accreditation Liaison Officer for LVC and attended the 2009 Middle States Self-Study Institute as a first step in preparing for the self-study.  By Spring 2010, the Self-Study Steering Committee and Work Groups were established, and the work groups met for a half-day workshop in order to: (a) generate research questions for their chapters, (b) determine what resources were needed to answer these questions, and (c) organize and divide their responsibilities.  The Summer of 2010 was devoted to data gathering, which continues this fall.

Throughout the Fall 2010, the Steering Committee and Work Groups have been meeting regularly.   Work Groups have been crafting analytical responses to their research questions and beginning to draft their chapters, focusing for the first draft on the discussion, outcomes, and recommendations sections.

Beginning October 19 with Chapter 1, Mission, Goals, and Integrity, the Steering Committee will be reviewing first drafts of chapters.  By December 7, all six chapters of the report will have been reviewed.  Second drafts will then be reviewed beginning in February 2011.  As the work groups complete the second drafts, staff, administration, and faculty will be invited to campus-wide discussions of each chapter.  This will be followed by a campus discussion of the entire self-study draft in May 2011.  The Steering Committee looks forward to feedback and dialogue on the self-study at these upcoming forums.

Information, such as the composition of the Steering Committee and Work Groups, minutes from these groups, the self-study timeline, and presentations that have been delivered are available on the LVC portal at https://www.lvc.edu/mylvc/middlestates/index.aspx.