Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Reaccreditation FAQs

For the UE Campus Community

What is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and why is reaccreditation important?
How does reaccreditation impact my degree and its value?
What role do students play in the reaccreditation process?
Will the reaccreditation process affect my tuition or fees?
How will reaccreditation impact the quality of education and student services?
What is the timeline for the HLC reaccreditation process?
How will the reaccreditation process affect our daily operations?
Will there be any changes to policies or procedures as a result of the reaccreditation?
How will staff be informed about updates and progress in the reaccreditation process?
What training or support will be available for staff during the reaccreditation process?
What are the key areas of focus for the HLC during the reaccreditation process?
How will the University demonstrate compliance with HLC standards and criteria?
What are the major challenges and opportunities associated with the reaccreditation process?
How will the University address any areas of improvement identified by the HLC?
What resources and support are needed to ensure a successful reaccreditation?
How will the results of the reaccreditation process be communicated to the University community and stakeholders?
What is included in an accreditation visit?

For Faculty

What criteria does the HLC use for reaccreditation?
How will the reaccreditation process impact our academic programs and curriculum?
What evidence and documentation are required from faculty for the reaccreditation process?
How can faculty participate in and contribute to the reaccreditation process?
What are the potential consequences if the HLC expresses concerns about UE’s reaccreditation process?

Regional Accreditation

What is regional accreditation?
What are the guiding principles behind regional accreditation?
How do institutions become or remain accredited?
How does regional accreditation affect UE?
Is UE regionally accredited?
How can members of the UE community become involved in preparing for accreditation?

For the UE Campus Community

What is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and why is reaccreditation important?: The HLC is a regional accrediting body that allows the University of Evansville (UE) to grant degrees. Reaccreditation is essential as it enables us to fulfill our mission and ensures continuous improvement across all areas of campus, from academics to operations.
How does reaccreditation impact my degree and its value?: HLC accreditation signifies that UE’s academics, student support systems, policies, procedures, and operations have undergone a rigorous internal and external evaluation by our peers. It is a recognized marker of quality, ensuring that a UE degree maintains its longstanding prestige.
What role do students play in the reaccreditation process?: Students participate through focus groups that provide feedback to those drafting the reaccreditation narrative. Some may also serve in working groups or meet with HLC evaluators during the onsite campus visit.
Will the reaccreditation process affect my tuition or fees?: No, the reaccreditation process will not impact tuition or fees.
How will reaccreditation impact the quality of education and student services?: Reaccreditation encourages reflection and improvement across the University. The process ensures that students receive the best possible experience by promoting ongoing assessment of academic programs and enhancement of all operations.
What is the timeline for the HLC reaccreditation process?: UE will submit all narratives and documents to the HLC by September 1, 2025. HLC evaluators will be on campus September 29 and 30, with a final ruling expected in December 2025.
How will the reaccreditation process affect our daily operations?: During the onsite visit, campus participants will engage with the HLC team over two days.
Will there be any changes to policies or procedures as a result of the reaccreditation?: While some policy changes may occur, the University is proactively aligning operations with HLC standards. Any recommended changes will be thoroughly examined.
How will staff be informed about updates and progress in the reaccreditation process?: Updates will be communicated through emails, open forums, videos, the SharePoint site, and a dedicated webpage.
What training or support will be available for staff during the reaccreditation process?: Staff will be encouraged to stay informed and actively participate throughout the process, with an information and educational campaign provided for support.
What are the key areas of focus for the HLC during the reaccreditation process?: Key areas include UE’s mission and its integration across all operations, the Quality Initiative Project (QIP) which highlights experiential learning, and the institutions’ commitment to ongoing continuous improvement.
How will the University demonstrate compliance with HLC standards and criteria?: UE will submit narratives and supporting documentation, such as internal evaluations, usage statistics, surveys, policies, manuals, and academic and area program reviews.
What are the major challenges and opportunities associated with the reaccreditation process?: Challenges may include lapses in data and attention to specific core components, but UE is not unique in facing these issues. The University is actively preparing to address potential areas of improvement.
How will the University address any areas of improvement identified by the HLC?: UE is proactively working on anticipated feedback to address any areas of improvement in advance.
What resources and support are needed to ensure a successful reaccreditation?: Engagement from the entire campus community is crucial. Understanding the four HLC criteria is key to success.
How will the results of the reaccreditation process be communicated to the University community and stakeholders?: University Communications will ensure all updates on the reaccreditation process are appropriately disseminated.
What is included in an accreditation visit?: Accreditors will tour facilities, meet with faculty, staff, students, and trustees, and potentially engage with the wider community. They may request additional information and documentation as part of their evaluation and onsite visit.

For Faculty

What criteria does the HLC use for reaccreditation?: Faculty can refer to the SharePoint link provided for detailed information on the criteria used by the HLC.
How will the reaccreditation process impact our academic programs and curriculum?: The process focuses on reviewing “the quality of the educational programs, student learning environments and support services and it requires that we evaluate their effectiveness in fulfilling our mission.” HLC Criterion 3.
What evidence and documentation are required from faculty for the reaccreditation process?: Faculty will need to provide updated course syllabi, program reviews, and assessments as part of the documentation.
How can faculty participate in and contribute to the reaccreditation process?: Faculty can participate by joining town hall forums, staying informed about the process, reviewing drafts of the narrative, and serving on working groups.
What are the potential consequences if the HLC expresses concerns about UE’s reaccreditation process?: The University will have opportunities to address any feedback from the HLC and collaborate on a plan to address any areas of non-compliance or concern.

Regional Accreditation

What is regional accreditation?: Regional accreditation ensures that higher education institutions meet established standards of quality and promote continuous improvement. In the U.S., six regional accreditors review institutions and are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Unlike professional or specialized accreditation, regional accreditation is granted to the entire institution.
What are the guiding principles behind regional accreditation?: Regional accreditation standards are defined with input from member institutions and are evaluated through peer review, reflecting the unique missions of each institution.
How do institutions become or remain accredited?: Institutions undergo a comprehensive self-study every few years, followed by an accreditation visit conducted by peer reviewers. The findings are reported to the accreditor’s decision-making body, which determines the institution’s accreditation status.
How does regional accreditation affect UE?: While participation is voluntary, regional accreditation qualifies UE for federal financial aid, supports credit transferability, and may be required by state governments for operation or funding eligibility.
Is UE regionally accredited?: Yes, UE has been accredited by the North Central Association’s Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1931.
How can members of the UE community become involved in preparing for accreditation?: The HLC expects participation from the entire community. Opportunities include serving on committees, participating in surveys and focus groups, and providing feedback on the self-study narrative (Assurance Argument).