Reaffirmation 2020

Along with other universities across our region, the University of Northern Iowa is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). As you know, accreditation is vital for our successful operation and requires a campus-wide effort.

Accreditation Process

Institutions obtaining accreditation through the HLC Open Pathway process undergo regular monitoring and must meet the following four main components:

UNI’s QIP, “Enhancing Service Learning At UNI” has three components: 1) designating service-learning courses, 2) implementing a Service-Learning Institute, and 3) recognizing and celebrating community engagement work.
Submission in the 2020-2021 school year of an Assurance Document (and supporting evidence) that describes UNI’s performance on the HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation.
Submission of materials to demonstrate UNI’s compliance with key federal regulations
A campus visit from HLC peer reviewers on March 29-30, 2021.

Accreditation Criteria

The Criteria for Accreditation are the standards of quality by which the Commission determines whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. They are as follows:

Criterion 1. Mission

The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations.

Core Components
- 1.A. The institution’s mission is broadly understood within the institution and guides its operations.
- 1.B. The mission is articulated publicly.
- 1.C. The institution understands the relationship between its mission and the diversity of society.
- 1.D. The institution’s mission demonstrates commitment to the public good.

Criterion 2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct

The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.

Core Components
- 2.A. The institution operates with integrity in its financial, academic, personnel, and auxiliary functions; it establishes and follows policies and processes for fair and ethical behavior on the part of its governing board, administration, faculty, and staff.
- 2.B. The institution presents itself clearly and completely to its students and to the public with regard to its programs, requirements, faculty and staff, costs to students, control, and accreditation relationships.
- 2.C. The governing board of the institution is sufficiently autonomous to make decisions in the best interest of the institution and to assure its integrity.
- 2.D. The institution is committed to freedom of expression and the pursuit of truth in teaching and learning.
- 2.E. The institution’s policies and procedures call for responsible acquisition, discovery and application of knowledge by its faculty, students, and staff.

Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support

The institution provides high quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered.

Core Components
- 3.A. The institution’s degree programs are appropriate to higher education.
- 3.B. The institution demonstrates that the exercise of intellectual inquiry and the acquisition, application, and integration of broad learning and skills are integral to its educational programs.
- 3.C. The institution has the faculty and staff needed for effective, high-quality programs and student services.
- 3.D. The institution provides support for student learning and effective teaching.
- 3.E. The institution fulfills the claims it makes for an enriched educational environment.

Criterion 4. Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement

The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments, and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness for student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.

Core Components
- 4.A. The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs.
- 4.B. The institution demonstrates a commitment to educational achievement and improvement through ongoing assessment of student learning.
- 4.C. The institution demonstrates a commitment to educational improvement through ongoing attention to retention, persistence, and completion rates in its degree and certificate programs.

Criterion 5. Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness

The institution’s resources, structures, and processes are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities. The institution plans for the future.

Core Components
- 5.A. The institution’s resource base supports its current educational programs and its plans for maintaining and strengthening their quality in the future.
- 5.B. The institution’s governance and administrative structures promote effective leadership and support collaborative processes that enable the institution to fulfill its mission.
- 5.C. The institution engages in systematic and integrated planning.
- 5.D. The institution works systematically to improve its performance.

UNI’s Accreditation Timeline

Timeline for HLC Criterion Committee work

End Spring 2018

All criterion committee members understand subcriteria and have begun filling in summary statements and collecting evidence on at least one subcriteron.

All criterion committees have 2018-2019 work plan in place.

Summer 2018

Feedback from HLC co-chairs on summary statement(s).

Spring 2019

Complete and submit Final Quality Initiative Report to HLC no later than March 1, 2019

End Spring 2019

Full drafts of criterion committee assurance statements complete.

Summer 2019

Review of assurance statements; feedback to co-chairs.

Throughout Fall 2019

Committees edit, revise their assurance statements.

October 2019

HLC retreat to review assurance argument as a whole.

March 2020

Final drafts complete and distributed to steering committee.

March 2020

Library evidence spreadsheet and cataloging framework complete; create cover sheets.

Spring 2020

Final review of HLC assumed practices to ensure 100% compliance.

Summer 2020

Final editing of assurance statement by steering committee / those selected to “put into one voice.” Organize/compile final evidence documentation.

Spring/Summer 2020

Editing of document; solicit consultant feedback.

Fall 2020

Begin to upload argument into assurance system; check all links/evidence.

Fall 2020

All evidence compiled.

Fall 2020

Message to campus from President Nook.

Fall 2020

UR roll out of HLC marketing campaign.

Fall 2020

Solicit campus wide feedback on assurance argument (via password protected website as well as meeting with key campus groups).

Fall 2020

Celebration of committee work.

Submit Federal Compliance filing.

January 2021

Student Opinion Survey (HLC will send notification of specific dates from when the link should be shared with students).

February 2021

Student survey distributed and open for 10 days.

March 1, 2021

Assurance system lock date.

March 29-30, 2021

HLC Site Visit .

Assurance Argument and Evidence

Assurance Argument Final Draft (CatID Log-in Required)

Reaffirmation Reports

2020 Reaffirmation Documents (CatID Log-in Required)