Howard University has initiated a self-study process that will ultimately lead to consideration of the university’s re-affirmation of its accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Following the participation of Provost Richard A. English and Associate Provost Alvin Thornton in a spring 2007 MSCHE Accreditation Institute, the self-study process was initiated with President H. Patrick Swygert’s appointment of a self-study chair. Dr. Orlando L. Taylor, Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, was selected to chair the self-study.  A representative self-study steering committee and a professional staff will be appointed to provide direction and administrative support for the development of the university’s self-study.  

            During summer 2007, the self-study chair, steering committee, and working groups will develop the university self-study design for review by the university community and submission to the MSCHE. Howard’s self-study will be completed by the end of the fall 2008 semester for submission to the MSCHE early in the spring 2009 semester.  During each stage of the preparation of the self-study, it will be subjected to the broadest possible review and discussion by members of the university community. The MSCHE will conduct its site visit during the spring 2009 semester.    

            Dr. Michael J. Kiphart, Vice President of MSCHE, is the MSCHE designated staff liaison to Howard University. On May 17, 2007, Provost Richard A. English; Executive Assistant to the President O. Jackson Cole; Vice Provost Orlando L. Taylor; and Associate Provosts Alvin Thornton, Joseph R. Reidy, and Vasant Telang participated in an initial meeting with Dr. Kiphart. Dr. Kiphart reviewed the MSCHE accreditation process and received information about the approach that Howard will take during its self-study process.   

            Howard University will use a comprehensive approach to the development of its self-study and examine all aspects of its operations. The university’s self-study will be contextualized within the broad scope of its historic mission and its unique role in higher education. Specific attention will be given to its growth over the years, its many achievements, its status in relation to peer institutions and, perhaps most importantly, the challenges and opportunities that it faces as a premier research university in the new millennium.  

            Fourteen working groups are being established to prepare reports on each of the 14 MSCHE accreditation standards. The standards and working groups are (1) Mission and Goals; (2) Planning, Resource Allocation, and Institutional Renewal; (3) Institutional Resources; (4) Leadership and Governance; (5) Administration; (6) Integrity; (7) Institutional Assessment; (8) Student Admissions and Retention; (9) Student Support Services; (10) Faculty; (11) Educational Offerings; (12) General Education; (13) Related Educational Activities; and (14) Assessment of Student Learning.  Each working group will be composed of a chair, faculty, staff, and students.   

            A web site will be created to provide the university community with a schedule of self-study activities and to keep it informed of developments in the self-study process. For more information about the self-study process, please email midstates@howard.edu.