What Faculty Should Know About Accreditation
Importance of Institutional Accreditation
- Ensures the value and recognition of KU degrees.
- Allows the university to receive federal funding, including financial aid for students.
- Signals to students, employers and other educational institutions that KU meets or exceeds national standards.
- Necessary for the accreditation of individual schools and programs.
Academic Continuous Improvement
HLC prioritizes academic quality through a strong emphasis on the continuous assessment of student learning and educational outcomes. Institutions are expected to establish clear learning goals and use systematic methods to measure student achievement. KU has established and measures institutional learning goals and program learning outcomes, which are mapped to the institutional learning goals.
Strategic Planning
Strategic planning is a critical component of the HLC accreditation process, as it ensures KU has a clear, forward-thinking roadmap aligned with the mission, vision, and values. Through strategic planning, institutions demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement, resource allocation, and meeting the needs of students, staff, faculty and critical stakeholders. The KU Lawrence/Edwards strategic plan is Jayhawks Rising. The three institutional priorities are Student Success, Healthy & Vibrant Communities, and Research and Discovery. The four pillars of the KUMC strategic plan are Education, Healthy Communities, Research and Discovery, and Employees.
Learn more about the Lawrence/Edwards and KUMC strategic plans.
KU Mission
KU has a single mission for the University: To educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world.
HLC reviewers are looking for a compelling story of mission fulfillment in the quest for continuous improvement. When KU can clearly articulate how our mission drives everything we do including strategic planning, student outcomes, scholarly innovation, and community care, it not only aids in the reaffirmation of accreditation, but it also strengthens our reputation and identity as Jayhawks.
How You Can Help
- Review our mission and accreditation documents: Familiarize yourself with our mission statement, Lawrence/Edwards Jayhawks Rising strategic plan and/or KUMC strategic plan, our IRISE values.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience at KU: Share your perspectives on communication, advising, academic programs, financial aid, student services, and more.
- Engage in Open and Honest Dialogue: The HLC Peer Review Team values transparency. Answer questions honestly, based on your knowledge and experience. Mention both KU’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Below are questions the HLC Peer Review Team may ask individual faculty members or in group meetings with faculty during the site visit March 3-5.
Questions the HLC Review Team Might Ask
- How is morale on campus?
- What kind of changes are taking place at KU? Do you view these as positive?
- What is KU’s greatest strength?
- Do you believe academics are top priority at KU?
- Have you read the Assurance Argument?
- Do you know KU’s mission statement?
- How do you support KU’s mission?
- Do you feel the Board of Regents supports KU’s mission?
- Have you been involved in strategic planning at KU?
- Do you believe KU has made progress with Jayhawks Rising? How so?
- What are KU’s values? Do these align with your values?
- What is KU’s relationship like with the city of Lawrence? What about the state of Kansas?
- How does KU support diversity and inclusion?
- Describe the campus climate at KU.
- What’s the governance structure like? How do faculty participate in decision-making at the university level? Campus level? School/College level? Department level?
- Do you feel supported in your role?
- Who is responsible for academic policy creation or modifications?
- Do you believe you have academic freedom in your teaching?
- Do you receive adequate support for your research?
- What characterizes a KU education? How is it different from other institutions?
- How are curriculum changes made?
- What is the purpose of the KU Core/Core 34? How do you feel about the recent changes to the general education program?
- Does your departments strategic plan align with the universities?
- What is the faculty role in ensuring academic quality?
- What role does research have at KU? Is it a priority?
- Do you have adequate teaching resources? Technology? Classroom space? Laboratory space?
- Are facilities maintained at KU?
- How does your program measure student success?
- Can you describe the tenure and promotion process?
- How does your department maintain consistence across various delivery modes (face-to-face, online, hybrid)?
- Describe the program review process.
- How have you used your assessment findings?
- How does the Center for Teaching Excellence support your assessment goals?
- What is KU doing to improve retention and graduation rates?
- How is your department actively involved in assessment of student learning?
- Are faculty appropriately qualified?
- What important strategic initiatives are underway at KU?
- How are you involved in your unit’s budgeting and strategic planning processes?
- What do you think about the Gateway District plans?
- What is the role of the Faculty Senate and University Senate in campus planning?
- Do you understand the annual budget process?
- What do you know about Jayhawks Elevate?