2008 Woodie Awards
Senior testing included in new national accreditation measures
Sarah Rutledge
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News
Seniors who dreamed that their last semester of college would be filled with constant parties, easy classes and the occasional contemplation of their future may have to adjust that fantasy this year due to accreditation assessments, which began last week.
Though Rice was reaffirmed for accreditation in 2006 - all colleges and universities are evaluated every ten years for the title - due to new measures by the federal government, universities across the country are undergoing an examination process to test what seniors have learned in their time at college.
Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness John Cornwell said accreditation of a college or university indicates a government seal of approval on that institution. If a school is not accredited, it cannot receive government funds in the form of loans or grants, and a student's degree will not be recognized by other universities.
The accrediting bodies are grouped by region. Rice is part of the Southern Association, which consists of about 800 institutions in the southwest part of the United States. Each region's accreditation agency acts as a self-policing entity, as it is composed of representatives from all the schools in the region.
In the past, accreditation was a two-step process. Teams of six to seven representatives from other universities in the accreditation agency reviewed a school to make sure it meets certain principles, which include a firm mission statement, advertisement of standard and admission practices and effectiveness of institutional policies. An on-site committee composed of six people visited the university to ask follow-up questions before the university can be accredited. Accreditation methods are identical regardless of whether an institution is public or private.
Cornwell said stricter measures from the federal government to track university spending have resulted in the need for college assessments. The assessments will impact students at universities nationwide. Accredidation agencies will continue to evaluate universities this way but starting this year, a few exiting seniors will participate in these assessments.
Though Rice was reaffirmed for accreditation in 2006 - all colleges and universities are evaluated every ten years for the title - due to new measures by the federal government, universities across the country are undergoing an examination process to test what seniors have learned in their time at college.
Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness John Cornwell said accreditation of a college or university indicates a government seal of approval on that institution. If a school is not accredited, it cannot receive government funds in the form of loans or grants, and a student's degree will not be recognized by other universities.
The accrediting bodies are grouped by region. Rice is part of the Southern Association, which consists of about 800 institutions in the southwest part of the United States. Each region's accreditation agency acts as a self-policing entity, as it is composed of representatives from all the schools in the region.
In the past, accreditation was a two-step process. Teams of six to seven representatives from other universities in the accreditation agency reviewed a school to make sure it meets certain principles, which include a firm mission statement, advertisement of standard and admission practices and effectiveness of institutional policies. An on-site committee composed of six people visited the university to ask follow-up questions before the university can be accredited. Accreditation methods are identical regardless of whether an institution is public or private.
Cornwell said stricter measures from the federal government to track university spending have resulted in the need for college assessments. The assessments will impact students at universities nationwide. Accredidation agencies will continue to evaluate universities this way but starting this year, a few exiting seniors will participate in these assessments.
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