CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Members of the public are invited to submit comments regarding the quality of the University of Illinois and its academic programs as part of a comprehensive evaluation that Illinois will undergo by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. A team representing the commission will visit the Urbana campus Oct. 12-14 as part of the evaluation process.
Accreditation is a voluntary process of critical self-analysis and internal and external quality review that Illinois undergoes every 10 years. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole.
One of six accrediting agencies in the U.S. that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis, the commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and accredits about 1,100 institutions of higher education in a 19-state region. Other agencies accredit specific programs within institutions.
Illinois has been accredited by the commission since 1913.
Since the fall of 2007, five working teams, comprising about 70 faculty and staff members, have been engaged in a comprehensive self-study, examining the units, activities, policies and procedures associated with each of the five goals in the campus Strategic Plan as a framework for showing how the university meets or exceeds the commission’s five criteria and requirements for accreditation. The evaluation team will be visiting the campus to determine that the self-study is thorough and accurate.
The team will make a recommendation about Illinois’ status after the visit.
Following a review process, the commission will decide whether to extend Illinois’ accreditation.
The public is invited to submit comments about Illinois to:
Public Comment on University of Illinois
The Higher Learning Commission
30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602
Comments must be received by Sept. 12, 2009, and must address substantive matters related to the quality of Illinois or its academic programs. Comments will not be treated as confidential and should include the name, address and telephone number of the person providing them. Comments submitted after the due date may not be considered.
The Higher Learning Commission does not settle disputes between individuals and institutions. Complaints will not be considered third-party comment.
Individuals who have disputes or grievances should request a copy of the policy on complaints from the commission’s office.
