MSCHE Follow-up
Reporting Expectations
MSCHE Annual Conference 2010
Mary Ellen Petrisko
Linda Suskie
MSCHE Guidelines
www.msche.org
Click on “Policies” on left side.
Scroll down to “Follow-Up Reports & Visits”
What is Follow-Up?
A Commission request for a
– Progress report
– Monitoring report
– Supplemental report
– Commission liaison guidance visit
– Small team visit
Why Did You Get a Follow-Up?
Concern about compliance with one or more
– Standards
– Requirements of Affiliation
See Characteristics of Excellence
USED’s Two-Year Rule
If MSCHE finds your institution out of
compliance…
– Warning
– Probation
Accreditation must be reaffirmed within
two years.
Short extensions possible for “good cause”
Progress Reports
Meet the Commission’s standards
But MSCHE needs assurance that activities
planned or being implemented are carried
out
– Improved governance structure
– Rewritten strategic plan
– Revised assessment plan
Monitoring Reports #1
Meet the Commission’s standards
But MSCHE has concerns about ongoing
compliance with one or more standards
– Financial future looks dicey
– Enrollment management plan doesn’t seem
based on realistic assumptions
– Maintaining quality during a time of dramatic
change
Monitoring Reports #2
Warning or probation
– Lack of evidence that the institution is in
compliance with one or more standards
Supplemental Reports
Postponement of an accreditation decision
Insufficient evidence to verify compliance
– Topic not addressed in report
– Assurances but no evidence
– Evidence not yet available
 Audited financial statements
Short time-frame
Preparing an Effective
Follow-Up Report
Read the Directions!
Read carefully & understand the
Commission’s action
Understand MSCHE’s Underlying
Concerns & Expectations
Characteristics of Excellence
– Introduction
– Standard
– Context
– Fundamental Elements
– Requirement of Affiliation?
Reports from MSCHE reviewers
– Evaluation team
– PRR reviewer
– Small team
Address Everything That is
Required
Clearly document compliance with standard(s)
Focus on Past and Present,
Not Future
Current and sustained compliance
No “I’m a gonna”s
Concrete details on work to be done
– Action plans
– Timelines
– Accountabilities
– Benchmarks
Focus on Outcomes
More than structures & processes
– What is the governance structure?
– Is the governance structure fulfilling its
responsibilities?
Provide Documented Evidence
Not just platitudes or assertions
– We have made major progress toward
creating a thriving culture of assessment.
– Faculty are dedicated to meeting student
needs.
– Budget decisions are linked to strategic goals.
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.
– Headings
– Charts
– Links to supporting documentation
– Document names/labels
Submit the Report On Time!
MSCHE may consider your institution to
have voluntarily allowed its accreditation
to lapse!
Electronic submissions (e-mail or CD) are
usually fine.
Report Format
Title page template
Introduction
– Overview
– Context
Progress to date and current status
– Summary, discussion, analysis
– What does documentation say to you?
– Next steps to sustain compliance?
Appendices of supporting documentation
Conclusion
Report Length
Proportionate to number and complexity
of issues
Self-studies are 100 pages
Relatively short report with well-organized
appendices of documentation
Follow-Up Visits
Commission Liaison Guidance Visit
To help you get an A!
NOT an accreditation visit
– No Commission action
Schedule depends on issues
– Key administrators
– Faculty/staff representatives
– Governing board representatives
– Often an open meeting
Small Team Visit
To verify information in your report
Required for warning & probation
Smaller than evaluation team
Shorter than evaluation team visit
Shorter timeframe to complete team
report & institutional response
Small Team Dates & Members
Developed by MSCHE VP liaison
Written confirmation to institution & team
Hosting a Successful
Small Team Visit
Travel
Arrangements
Hotel reservations
Ground
transportation
– Airport/train
station to hotel
– Hotel to campus
Private, Secure Meetings Rooms
on Campus & in Hotel
Computer & printer
Internet access
Phone & on-call technical support
Supplies (paper, flash drives)
Refreshments
Check with team for additional needs
Meals
Check with team chair.
Generally private working meals
No interruptions (buffet or pre-plated)
Meals with campus representatives?
Small Team Visit Schedule
Depends on issues
– President
– Key administrators
– Faculty/staff representatives
– Governing board representatives
– Open meeting
– Private team meetings
– Oral exit report
Respond to reasonable requests for
additional information
Emergency contact info (travel delays)
After the Visit
Draft team report
Correction of errors of fact
Institutional response
Chair’s confidential brief
Committee on Follow-Up
– Late January
– Late May
– Early November
Commission Meeting
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