Self-Study

• Self-Study Report 2021

Institutional Self-Study to Middle States Commission on Higher Education (3966 downloads)
Self-Study Institutional Working Groups Kick-Off Meeting (4293 downloads)
Middle States Self Study Org Structure & Members Feb 19 (6472 downloads)
Middle States VP Visit Feb 27 19 Schedule (3758 downloads)
Middle States 2019-21 Self-Study Institutional Team and Kick-Off Meeting (4167 downloads)

The Steering Committee is composed of the Steering Committee co-chairs, Accrediting Liaison Officer (ALO) , and the co-chairs of each working group.  The working group for each standard and the Verification of Compliance group have equal representation from the San Juan (including Mayagüez University Center) and Miami campuses.  Following is a list of the Steering Committee members:

The following sections address the general charges of the working groups and the specific charges and composition of each individual working group.

Specific Charges of Working Groups and Composition

Standard I Working Group Members

Specific Charges:
§  Examine how the mission and goals guide all aspects of the University.
§  Examine how successful the University is in fulfilling its mission and goals.
§  Consider innovative pathways to fulfill the University’s mission and goals.

Research Question:
1.    How do curricular and co-curricular practices and all other institutional activities reflect Albizu’s mission and goals?

Standard II Working Group Members

Specific Charges:
§  Examine how the Albizu Strategic Plan reflects our community’s commitment to demonstrate ethical behavior and integrity in all activities.
§  Determine whether Albizu’s policies, procedures, and processes are performed in an ethical manner.

Research Questions:
1.    How does the commitment to institutional ethics is reflected in all Albizu’s policies, procedures, and processes?
2.    How are regulations, contract agreements and service programs performed in an honest and ethical manner?
3.    What are the mechanisms to evaluate the adherence of policies, processes, and procedures to ethics and integrity criteria?
4.    How are ethical practices and integrity maintained in project proposals?

Standard III Working Group Members

Specific Charges:
§  Examine how Albizu’s mission is addressed in the programs offered.
§  Evaluate how Albizu programs achieve the highest standard of academic excellence.

Research Questions:
1.    To what extent do the resources and facilities at Albizu support student learning?
2.    What is the process to ensure continued improvement of teaching/learning practices? How is it assessed?
3.    How is innovation embedded in teaching/learning practices?
4.    How accurately do academic programs assess and evaluate the student learning outcomes of the programs and use those outcomes to implement needed changes in the student learning processes?
5.    How qualified are Albizu faculty members to support the student learning process?

Standard IV Working Group Members

Specific Charges:
§  Review how the Strategic Plan drives recruitment and admission for all programs.
§  Evaluate how Albizu’s mission is reflected in effective support services.

Research Questions:
1.    Are there sufficient services to provide students with the support needed to achieve success?
2.    How effective is the design and implementation of current student services in ensuring student success?
3.    How adequate is the assessment process for ensuring the continued improvement of student services?
4.    How innovative are Albizu student support services?

Standard V Working Group Members

Specific Charges:
§  Evaluate how Albizu’s mission and Strategic Plan are reflected in expectations of student learning and achievement.
§  Evaluate how Albizu ensures an evidence-based process that guarantees student learning assessments lead to outcomes that are then used to improve the student learning process.

Research Questions:
1.    Evaluate the effectiveness of the assessment process at all program levels.
2.    Examine the process for the dissemination, evaluation, and use of assessment results.
3.    Highlight student learning examples that show innovation in both teaching and student learning outcomes.

Standard VI Working Group Members

Specific Charges:
§  Evaluate how Albizu’s processes, resources, and structures are consistent with the University’s mission and Strategic Plan.
§  Examine how Albizu assigns resources according to new challenges in the educational and social fields.

Research Questions:
1.    How do Albizu’s organizational structures, resources, and planning processes align with its mission and Strategic Plan?
2.    How do Albizu’s assessment processes lead to improvements in programs and services and effectively address opportunities and challenges?
3.    Show evidence of innovation in Albizu funding sources when compared with best practices from other institutions.

Standard VII Working Group Members

Specific Charges:
§  Evaluate how Albizu’s mission is realized through its administrative structure.
§  Examine how Albizu’s priorities are appropriate to its commitment to academic excellence.

Research Questions:
1.    Identify how the assessment of Albizu’s governing structure is used in improving institutional governance?
2.    How effective are the decision-making and communication processes of institutional governance in ensuring student success?
3.    Examine innovation in the context of best practices in Albizu administration when compared with best practices from other institutions.

Compliance Working Group Members

Specific Charges:

To provide evidence of policies and procedures to verify institutional compliance in the following areas:

• Student identity verification in distance and correspondence education
• Transfer of credit policies and articulation agreements
• Title IV program responsibilities
• Institutional records of student complaints
• Required information for students and the public
• Standing with state and other accrediting agencies
• Contractual relationships
• Assignment of credit hours