News from Arkansas State University For Release: March 6, 2003 |
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University Communications Office Jonesboro, Arkansas Staff: Tom Moore Virginia Adams 870-972-3056 fax 870-972-3069 Send mail: ASUnews@astate.edu Links: List of News/Announcements Upcoming Public Events About ASU ASU Home Page |
Review team to
recommend Arkansas
State University will be recommended for continued accreditation for
another 10 years! That
was the bottom line response from the review team representing The Higher
Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools, according to Dr. Les Wyatt, president. Ten
years is the longest term possible.
The next full team review will be in 2012-13. The
chair of the review team met with Dr. Wyatt Wednesday morning to deliver
this news and a brief overview of the team’s conclusions. The
review team, consisting of veteran educators from throughout the country,
was on campus Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to conduct the on-site phase
of the accreditation review. The
team is expected to submit a preliminary report and recommendations to
the full Higher Learning Commission by early May. “The
team leader, Dr. Greg Gagnon, told me, ‘this is a good university,
doing good things, making good progress, because of good people,’ ”
Dr. Wyatt said. “He said
ASU is doing outstanding work.” The
visit follows a lengthy self-study process, which ASU formally began with
campus events in April 2001. During
an accreditation review, The Higher Learning Commission looks at five
major areas of university activities: mission, organization,
accomplishments, purposes and integrity.
“We were told that ASU meets the HLC
criteria and expectations in all of those areas,” Wyatt added.
The visitors were very complimentary
about the quality of ASU’s self-study and said the visit was
exceptionally well organized. Dr.
Wyatt said they commended Dr. Lynita Cooksey, associate vice chancellor
for Academic Affairs, who led ASU’s self-study and review preparation,
along with all faculty and staff who took part in the effort.
While the overall conclusion was
positive, the team did make note of some areas where the university will
need to continue working.
“Part of the visiting team’s role is
to give advice and counsel on areas where we need to give special
attention for improvement,” Dr. Wyatt said. “We welcome the direction and
guidance from the team.”
Details will be listed in the written
report, but Wyatt said the team will recommend an HLC “focus visit”
in 2006-07 to monitor progress in four areas.
Dr. Gagnon said some of ASU’s
weaknesses cited in the previous review, in 1993, have not been
adequately addressed. Assessment
in general education programs and graduate-level programs needs
improvement.
He also said ASU needs to develop and
implement a long-range strategic plan for the Arkansas State University
System, which includes all six campuses, as well as an enrollment
management program for ASU-Jonesboro and the system campuses where
ASU-Jonesboro offers courses.
The team chair also told Dr. Wyatt that
his associates would identify in its written report a number of areas for
the university to address. These
will not require further HLC action.
One example is Wilson Hall, ASU’s
oldest building. The team
termed the classroom building’s condition “an embarrassment,” but
also acknowledged that ASU has been seeking $19.5 million in state funds
to construct a liberal arts teaching building which would effectively
replace the classroom space in Wilson.
Overall, Dr. Wyatt said he was satisfied
with the team’s assessment.
“We were pleased to receive this fair
and positive report from the HLC visiting team,” he added. # # # |
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