Middle States Evaluation Committee to Visit Campus, Discuss Report

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education team that is in the process of re-accrediting Frostburg State University will visit the campus on Tuesday, March 29, and Wednesday, March 30 to engage the campus community in meetings and present their preliminary findings.

“Students are invited to an open meeting with the visiting team on Tuesday, March 29, at 4:15 p.m. in the Lane Atkinson Room (232),” stated a press release from FSU. “Additionally, the visiting team will give the University Community its exit report on Wednesday, March 30, at 10 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center Pealer Recital Hall,” the press release continued. “Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend. While final determination on our accreditation will be made by the Middle States Commission after several more steps, this provides valuable insight into the team’s evaluation of our self-study information.”

According to the statement, “No questions may be asked, and this information is not to be recorded or shared, per Middle States policies.”

According to a Middle States guide on conducting and hosting evaluation visits, “The oral report session is often open to all members of the internal campus community,”  “However, because this exit report is an internal event, external parties such as the press should not be present,” the guide added. “Furthermore, the session should not be videotaped or otherwise recorded, or transmitted in any way beyond the campus community.  During this oral presentation, the chair makes no reference to the team’s proposal regarding an accreditation action because the team’s proposal is only the first step in the Commission’s overall process of review.”

Dr. Karen Whitney, Clarion University President, has been contacted for comment. She is leading the team that is evaluating the university. A spokesperson for Middle States has also been contacted.

The Middle States, which re-accredits universities every ten years, “defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources,” according to its website. “It examines each institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within institutions.”

To read the Self Study, visit http://www.frostburg.edu/MiddleStates/WebSite/INDEX.HTM and click on Decennial Evaluation.