2011 MSCHE Annual Conference
Washington DC
Understanding
MSCHE Expectations
for Follow-Up Reports
Linda Suskie
E-mail: Linda.Suskie@comcast.net
Website: http://Linda.Suskie.home.comcast.net
MSCHE Guidelines
www.msche.org
Click on “Policies” on left side.
Scroll down to “Follow-Up Reports & Visits”
What is Follow-Up?
Progress report
Monitoring report
Supplemental report
Commission liaison guidance visit
Small team visit
Why Did You Get a Follow-Up?
Concern about compliance with
– Standard(s)
– Requirement(s) of Affiliation
Progress Reports
Meet the Commission’s standards
But MSCHE needs assurance that activities
planned or being implemented are
carried out.
Monitoring Reports #1
Meet the Commission’s standards
But MSCHE has concerns about
ongoing compliance with one or
more standards
Monitoring Reports #2
Warning or probation
– Lack of evidence that the institution
is in compliance with Standard(s)
USED’s Two-Year Rule
If MSCHE finds your institution out
of compliance…
– Warning
– Probation
Accreditation must be reaffirmed
within two years.
Preparing an Effective
Follow-Up Report
Read the Directions!
Read carefully & understand the
Commission’s action.
Understand MSCHE’s Underlying
Concerns & Expectations
Why did the Commission ask for this report?
What are the Commission’s underlying
concerns?
How does the request relate to the Standard
under review?
Resources for Understanding
Commission Concerns
Characteristics of Excellence
Report from MSCHE peer evaluators
Your MSCHE VP liaison
Answer Every Question
Organize report by
– Each requested item?
– Each Standard and each Fundamental Element?
Clearly document compliance with
– Standard(s)
– Fundamental Element(s)
Provide Documented Evidence
Not just assertions, platitudes or a
couple of examples
Support every statement with links
or citations of documentation
– Links/citations are evidence that
the statement is accurate.
– Answers without links/citations
aren’t answers.
Focus on Past and Present,
Not Future
Current compliance
Sustained compliance
– Concrete details on work to be done
Focus on Outcomes
More than structures & processes
– What is the governance structure?
vs
– Is the governance structure fulfilling its
responsibilities?
Be Forthright & Honest
Honesty is the best policy!
Standard 6: Integrity
If there’s a problem…
– Explain why.
– Provide clear, specific plans.
Be Concise & Well-Organized
Respect readers’ time and energy.
Avoid data dumps.
Cull out irrelevant documentation.
Make the report easy to follow.
– Well-organized appendices of documentation
Self-studies are 100 pages.
Format?
Title page template
Introduction
Progress to date and current status
– Summary
– Analysis
 What does documentation say to you?
– Next steps to sustain compliance?
Appendices of supporting documentation
Your MSCHE VP Liaison is
Your Friend!
E-mail or telephone with questions.
Meet in Commission offices?
Meet during MSCHE Annual Conference?
Commission Liaison Guidance Visit
Campus visit? (Fee charged)
Cannot review drafts