The Middle States Re-Accreditation Self-Study Process Kicks Off

In this task, we may reflect on our past efforts, assess where we presently stand and thoughtfully and strategically chart our future. What adds incalculable value to this reflective endeavor is that we are not merely self-measuring and assessing. Rather, we are instead being called before an external evaluator to ultimately demonstrate our viability, stability and relevance. As such, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), overseeing accreditation for our region, helps us in this critical alignment of our strategic work and priorities within a broader framework of regional and national expectations and standards, as related to our many peers.

CATT is fortunate to be providing significant brain and muscle power to this reaccreditation process. Not only are several staff members from our Office on the organizing committee and various sub-committees, but our Office’s Associate Vice Provost and Director, Carol Van Zile-Tamsen, is co-chairing UB’s re-accreditation efforts. Together with Craig Abbey, vice provost for institutional analysis and planning, and Ann Bisantz, dean of undergraduate education, re-accreditation leadership has worked to guide us to this moment where the many, many UB community members helping with this project are thematically organized and ready to approach the difficult—yet rewarding—task of comprehensive self-study. As such, our self-study design has been completed, and we look forward to the upcoming visit of Middle States’ Vice President for Institutional Field Relations, Dr. Paul Starkey. To this point, Dr. Starkey’s visit will afford the opportunity for our university community to engage with MSCHE as we seek to best understand and leverage this process. We encourage you to attend the virtual forum from 3-4 p.m. on April 11.

In sum, our office looks forward to contributing to these important efforts, and hopes that members of the UB community will feel inspired to engage in this vital and rewarding process. In the meantime, should you have questions about our re-accreditation efforts over these next two years, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at ubcatt@buffalo.edu.

Also, for your edification, we've provided the self-study document from our last accreditation visit below. A new self-study document will be made available to the campus community for comment in 2024.