MANKATO — Even before the Higher Learning Commission folks came to campus last winter to evaluate Minnesota State University, MSU officials had a pretty good idea they'd be successful getting their accreditation.
Still, they had yet to get the official, real-deal, rock-solid stamp of approval. That approval came this week. And now MSU is good to go for another 10 years.
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has fully accredited Minnesota State University. The 10-year accreditation is the maximum given by the commission and will be good through 2016.
"The commission can recommend anything from revocation to full accreditation," MSU President Richard Davenport said in a statement. "They recommended full accreditation with one progress report in 2009. This is very, very good, and the entire campus community can be proud for making it happen."
In 1996, when the commission was here last, it accredited the university but gave them a list of areas to improve. This time around the commission merely told MSU to update the commission on the progress of aligning its assessment, planning and budgeting processes.
Early this year a 10-member Higher Learning Commission evaluation team visited campus and met with students, faculty and staff. The visit followed more than two years of self-study by university staff and faculty.
The commission focused on five core criteria: mission and integrity, preparing for the future, effective student learning and teaching, promoting a life of learning for all, and "engaging and serving constituencies in ways that both the university and the stakeholders value."
MSU's self-study effort was led by English professor Donald F. Larsson and Dean of Library Services Joan Roca.
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