Progress Report for September 19, 2012

The Reaffirmation Initiative

• Marquette University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an agent of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Marquette University voluntarily goes through the peer reaffirmation process that includes preparation of a self-study followed by a campus visit every 10 years. The next campus visit and review will take place in AY2013-14.
• The present reaffirmation initiative has been conceptualized as a means to tell Marquette’s story and in doing so to document, using evidence, the ways in which we meet and exceed stated criteria. This is also a moment to reflect on what we do and how we do it in order to identify areas where we can grow, excel and lead. As such, the theme for the present initiative is Reflect - Affirm - Inspire.

Third Quarter 2012 Goals

Three goals were established for the second quarter of 2012. Each is listed along with a progress report.

Finalize site visit timeline

The Higher Learning Commission recently set the date of Marquette’s reaffirmation visit. It will take place in the fall of 2013 from September 30 through October 2. With that date now firmly set, we have confirmed several key activities that will take place prior to the visit. They include (1) developing a complete draft of the self-study (December 2012); (2) garnering campus feedback (February 2013); (3) conducting a campus wide mock accreditation visit (April 2013); (4) finalizing the self-study (July 2013); and (5) preparing the campus for the actual visit (September 2013).

Review subcommittees self-study criterion outlines

Each of the six subcommittees with writing responsibilities submitted final draft outlines to reaffirmation co-chairs. Draft outlines were shared across subcommittees and dispersed for review to members of the reaffirmation steering committee. Drs. Meyer and Peters met with each set of subcommittee co-chairs to (1) review progress (2) provide feedback on the outline submitted and (3) reiterate expectations for the development of criterion chapters due August 2012. Criterion outlines were generally well developed and subcommittee co-chairs exhibited a great deal of confidence in their ability to complete chapter drafts on time and according to the template developed.

Collect subcommittee self-study criterion "chapter" drafts

Chapter drafts were collected in mid-August and subsequently reviewed by members of the University Leadership Council as well as members of the Reaffirmation Steering Committee. Dr. Abing will begin writing the first full draft of the self-study in mid-September.

Fourth Quarter 2012 Goals

• Finalize the first draft of a complete self-study
• Prepare materials for Board of Trustee’s December meeting
• Finalize plans for obtaining campus feedback on self-study draft