Review the HLC Assurance Argument

Jayhawks,

In fall 2022, KU launched preparations for our re-affirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and, at this stage, we need your help. As background, this re-affirmation is a rigorous, evidence-based process examining every aspect of the university through an Assurance Argument, Federal Compliance Report and site visit. HLC accreditation demonstrates to stakeholders that KU provides a quality educational experience while engaging in continuous improvement. Accreditation is required by the U.S. Department of Education and the Kansas Board of Regents. 

For the past 2 years, Criterion Committee members from Lawrence/Edwards and the Medical Center collaboratively developed a draft of the Assurance Argument, a 35,000-word document illustrating how KU meets various HLC criteria. The previous version of this document, provided to campus for the Mocksite Visit in September 2024, has been updated in response to feedback from the Mocksite Reviewers.  

Steering Committee and Planning Group members are seeking a final review through December 1, 2024 for the Assurance Argument to identify errors.

WHO: All faculty, staff and students at the Lawrence/Edwards campus have the opportunity to review the Assurance Argument. 

WHAT: The campus community is asked to review the Assurance Argument for errors of fact. If you find errors of fact, please fill out the Assurance Argument Feedback Form. Since this is an evidence-based process, errors of fact must include evidence to substantiate the claim, such as a URL or document. Evidentiary links in the Argument are not live at this stage because all those documents will be uploaded into HLC's system (including websites, which, per HLC requirements, have been captured as PDFs). The Mocksite Reviewer Report and additional explanatory documents will be posted with the Assurance Argument to assist you in your review. 

WHEN/WHERE: By December 1, 2024, via the Assurance Argument Feedback Form.

WHY: Campus review for errors is critical to the process.

NEXT STEPS: After campus review, next steps can be found here.

If you have any questions please reach out to HLC2025@ku.edu.
 
Thank you for all of the work to date to prepare for the reaffirmation process. Your expertise is deeply valued and we appreciate the time that you will take to review the Assurance Argument and ensure the institution is accurately represented. 

Respectfully,

HLC Steering Committee and HLC Planning Group