When I was in high school, this time of year included band camp, football camp, journalism camp, cheerleading camp so that we would be ready for fall activities and be the best we could be. Well at Syracuse, we are getting ready for the fall similarly: Athletic teams are practicing, the Daily Orange is covering preparations, the band is rehearsing, and the faculty and staff are prepping for the return of students for the Fall 2017 semester.
However, to be really prepared for this academic year—when the Middle States Commission on Higher Education sends at our request a site team to review how we are meeting the standards for accreditation—we (students, faculty and staff) need to be committed to continuous improvement.
Let’s pull together to:
- Give your feedback on our Middle States self-study, which includes recommendations for improving the University.
- Participate in completing your department’s or unit’s assessment reporting, due in September.
- Support our University Senate as it addresses many of the issues raised in the Middle States self-study including institutional learning outcomes and updating policies and procedures.
- Learn more about how to make data-driven continuous improvements.
If you have any questions or comments about Middle States and how to get engaged, e-mail me at rlford@syr.edu.
Rochelle L. Ford, professor and tri-chair, Middle States Steering Committee