|
July 1, 2004: At its June 23-24 sessions, the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education acted to accept the monitoring report
submitted by Bryn Athyn College of the New Church.
The Periodic Review Report, which is due in June of 2008, should
document 1) progress in achieving enrollment management objectives;
2) enhancement of institutional finances; 3) improvement of facilities;
4) evidence that results from assessments are being used to improve
teaching, learning, and institutional effectiveness; and 5) evidence
that assessment results are being incorporated into institutional
strategic planning and resource allocation decisions.
Special recognition should go to the members of the College accreditation
steering committee (Vice President Dan Allen, Dr. Allen Bedford,
Rev. Eric Carswell, Dean Brian Henderson, Dr. Kristin King, and
President Prescott Rogers) for their hard work and dedicated effort.
A special thank you goes to Kristin King and Jenn Beiswenger for
their careful editing and preparation of the final draft report.
From Academy President Prescott Rogers, March 13, 2003:
I received a letter today declaring that the Middle States Commission
on Higher Education (MSCHE) has decided to continue the College’s
accreditation. I would like to quote the letter’s opening paragraph:
| At its session on March 5, 2003, the
Commission on Higher Education acted to reaffirm the accreditation
of Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, and to request a
monitoring report, due April 1, 2004, documenting progress
in (1) further development and implementation of a comprehensive
outcomes assessment plan, with linkages to the strategic planning
process, (2) implementation of a comprehensive enrollment
management and retention plan, with a strong alumni/ae component,
(3) development of organizational structure and budget processes
that offer greater autonomy, (4) development of plans for
the construction and renovation of institutional facilities,
and (5) examination of resources to support the library. The
Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2008.
|
As I understand it, MSCHE could offer any one
of twenty-nine possible decisions regarding an institution’s
application for re-accreditation (falling roughly into three categories
of favorable, guarded, and unfavorable). I believe that the decision
received by the College is one of the highest possible, demonstrating
a great deal of affirmation for the quality of education provided
at BAC and for the institution’s dedication to and implementation
of its mission.
At the same time, with consideration that every institution can
improve and needs to improve, MSCHE points out five areas where
it expects the College to improve over the next five and ten years
(five years for the Periodic Review Report and ten years for the
next application for continuing accreditation). In the meantime
MSCHE expects a monitoring report that will present in written form
the intentions and plans of the institution to improve by giving
its attention to areas of noted concern. The College’s accreditation
is not affected by this monitoring report, although BAC will need
to demonstrate its serious approach to the five areas designated
for the monitoring report. It is important to note that MSCHE is
not expecting the completion of plans in these five areas within
a year. It simply expects some progress in each of the areas.
In closing I want to thank all of you who participated in the evaluation
process. I am grateful for all the support given to the College.
I especially want to congratulate the College’s administration,
faculty and staff. It is nice to see a well considered outside agency
strongly affirm the quality of the College. The way the College’s
personnel champion the College’s mission, the way they provide
services and education, and the self-study report they produced
testify to the quality of the personnel at BAC. I also want to again
note the fine students at BAC who had a major role to play in the
accreditation process.
|
