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Self study process
Purposes of self study
Hunter College's self study had four functions:
- To document compliance with Middle States Commission on Higher Education standards for accreditation.
- <!--[if !supportLists]--> <!--[endif]-->To determine where the college must act in order to remain in compliance with some standards, to create a plan and timetable for achieving expeditious remedy.
- <!--[endif]-->To plan how to move forward in areas that are central to our continued success as an institution of higher education, namely, improving student engagement and updating teaching and learning for 21st century needs.
- <!--[endif]-->To describe the unifying elements among the diverse conceptions of Hunter’s place and role in New York City and the larger society, and build consensus on a plan for Hunter’s future as a premiere liberal arts college with standout graduate and professional programs.
Leadership of self study
The self-study process was overseen by a steering committee appointed by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The committee was co-chaired by Provost Vita Rabinowitz and Professors Sandra Clarkson (Mathematics and Statistics) and Philip Alcabes (School of Health Sciences). Since January 2008, the steering committee met at least twice per month to consider issues relating to the scope and conduct of self study.
Mechanics of self study
Over 100 faculty and staff members, along with student representatives, agreed to join working groups (WGs) charged with examining specific areas of process and outcome in college endeavors.
| Working Group |
Title |
Leaders |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Institutional Goals, Resources, and Assessment |
Prof. Jill Gross Asst. VP Franklin Steen VP Eija Ayravainen |
| 2 | Leadership, Administration, Integrity |
Assoc. Dean John Rose Prof. Richard Stapleford |
| 3 | Graduate Programs |
Prof. Roger Persell Prof. Andrea Savage |
| 4 | Faculty | Prof. Helena Rosenblatt Prof. Jason Young |
| 5 | Student Engagement and Progress |
Assoc. Dean Madlyn Stokely Prof. Mary Lefkarites Asst. Provost Peggy Tirschwell |
| 6 |
General Education |
Prof. Christa Acampora Prof. James Gordon |
| 7 | Undergraduate Programs |
Assoc. Provost David Potash (until June 2008) Prof. Lynn Chancer |
In addition to these groupings, a Technology Group, led by Professor (now Acting Associate Provost for Instructional Technology) Manfred Kuechler and Chief Information Officer Franklin Steen (ICIT) worked with all of the working groups.
Leaders of the working groups served on the steering committee.
Each working group functioned autonomously, but with the assistance of the co-chairs and the Technology Group where needed. Groups sought out documents, conducted interviews with administrators, and made inquiries with faculty, staff, and students in order to ascertain Hunter’s compliance with the fourteen standards of accreditation promulgated by the Middle States Commission. They also made recommendations for the purposes of strategic planning.
At the end of the spring 2008 semester, working groups submitted reports to the co-chairs. These reports were posted on a publicly accessible website for comment by members of the college community during May and June 2008.
During summer 2008, the co-chairs carried out additional investigation to complete assessment of MSCHE standards and to allow examination of two special emphases, i.e., student engagement and academic planning.
Reporting on self study
The self-study process culminates in a report drafted by the co-chairs and submitted to the steering committee.
The steering committee has decided that the draft report, along with reports from each of the working groups, will be archived with the Senate Master Plan committee.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education
