Making the MOST of the Accreditation Team Experience
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Transcript of Making the MOST of the Accreditation Team Experience
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Making the MOST of the Accreditation Team Experience
Jo Allen, Senior Vice President & ProvostWidener University
Based on remarks byPatricia A. McGuire, PresidentTrinity University, Washington
Middle States Workshop for New Team Chairs and Evaluators October 7, 2008
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SERVING on a Middle States Accreditation Team?…in Five Words or Less!
Intense
Teamwork
Stimulating
Intellectual
Collegial
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What Do Institutions Expect of Teams & Chairs?
Respect Collegiality Fairness and Integrity “Compassionate Rigor” Expertise Thorough Preparation Consistency
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Role of the Team Chair
ORGANIZERLogistical details
Team assignments & team report
FACILITATOR/COACHTeam visit strategy
Team member rolesFocus on MSCHE standards
LEADERArbiter of ethics
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When Team Chairs Go Bad…
Runaway Team
Bully on the Team
Institutional Hide ‘n’ Seek
Scrooge
Terminator
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Role of An Evaluator
Be prepared Know Middle States standards Analyze and question the Self-Study Understand the Institutional Mission & Goals
Remember the “peer” in “peer review” Cooperate and be collegial Root comments in Middle States standards. DON’T…
Compare this institution to yours Make prescriptive pronouncements
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When Evaluators Go Bad
Too Flexible Too Rigid Too Narrow
Discipline-bound Institution-bound Institution type-bound
Too Arrogant
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When Good Teams Go Bad, Part 1
The Inspector General Persona and ‘Gotcha!’ Games
“Well, at MY Institution here’s how it’s done….”
“I am the Great Oz and I know what you need to be doing…”
“Let’s slam them on this …”
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When Good Teams Go Bad, Part 2
“Could you believe that president [provost? faculty member?]??”
“I’ve arranged a small meeting with a few disaffected faculty to hear what’s REALLY going on at this place.”
“Forget the Characteristics, this place is a mess and we need to fix it or shut it down.”
“They’re lying.”
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Preparing for an InterviewDuring a Team Visit
Prepare … To test and illuminate the self-study. To substantiate your thorough knowledge of the
self-study and institutional materials. To identify potential interviews.
Develop Interview Objectives and Questions … To know the objectives of the interview To relate questions to the self-study and
accreditation criteria.
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Conducting an Interview During a Team Visit
Set the Context Be friendly. Dialogue, not cross-
examination. Explain interview purpose
and topics. Set a time limit.
Listen and Learn Test assertions
constructively. Push for analysis by
interviewees.
Take Careful Notes Get names and
positions of interviewees.
DON’T Lecture interviewees Monologue your
opinions. Offer prescriptions.
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Resources for Team Support
Middle States Documents Middle States Staff Experienced Evaluators Team Chair
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Some Reminders on Ethics Leave your biases at
home. Reveal any conflicts of
interest before the visit. Respect the privacy
and reputation of the institution.
Pay for bar drinks, movies, and personal phone bills personally.
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One Last Thing on Ethics….
…There are no job opportunities for you at this school..
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Some Reminders on Attitude Keep your sense of humor
apparent, but mild. Do not be dour, or angry, or
difficult. If you hate the experience,
do not volunteer for this gig again.
If you love the experience, definitely sign up again.
Be open to learning new things you didn’t anticipate.
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Questions?
Comments?
Concerns?