Accreditation

Accreditation

SIUE is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. We are actively involved with the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), which infuses the principles and benefits of continuous improvement into the culture of colleges and universities.  As part of the process, we select goals for continuing improvement and conduct a sequence of events that align with those goals in order to improve performance in the designated areas.

In fall 2007, the University Quality Council (UQC) was formed to assist in guiding the University's AQIP efforts. More information on UQC can be found at the following link: University Quality Council.

SIUE is also participating in the Voluntary System of Accountability (VSA.) This nationwide initiative is sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, in an attempt to make undergraduate performances of institutes of higher learning comparable and more visible to the general public. SIUE's College Portrait can be viewed at the following link: SIUE's VSA College Portrait.

Voluntary System of Accountability Steering Committee

SIUE joined the Voluntary System of Accountability (VSA) program, with Faculty Senate Executive Committee support, in January of 2008.  The VSA is a joint project of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). Through the use of a web-reporting template entitled the College Portrait, the VSA makes information on undergraduate education publicly available.  The College Portrait is organized into three sections:

1. Student and Family Information

2. Student Experiences and Perceptions

3. Student Learning Outcomes

Although we have met the requirements to publish the College Portrait sections one and two, we have yet to begin implementing the Student Learning Outcomes requirement.  The Student Learning Outcomes section reports "evidence of student learning" as measured by one of three designated standardized tests.  

Because planning is an essential element of accountability, the Voluntary System of Accountability (VSA) Steering Committee was formed to provide ongoing vision, guidance, and support related to SIUE's participation in the Voluntary System of Accountability.  Reporting to the Provost and Committee on Assessment, the VSA Working Group will lead implementation of the VSA Student Learning Outcomes measures.  The Committee will develop a plan for implementing the Student Learning Outcomes requirement, monitor the VSA College Template, ensure that VSA requirements are met in a timely order, and review Student Learning Outcomes data and make recommendations for change based on the data.