LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - At its June 2010 meeting, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education continued Lock Haven University’s accreditation. The commission found that the university met thirteen of the fourteen Standards for Accreditation, including standards for mission, governance, administration, integrity, admissions and retention, student support services, faculty, and educational programs.
The commission’s action is based on the report from an evaluation team that visited the campus February 21-24, 2010. The team’s report commended the university in many areas including recent initiatives to improve the first-year student experience (Foundations of Excellence); expansion of the Physician Assistant program to meet state needs; the Celebration of Scholarship; and programs in teacher education, honors, and international education.
However, although the team was encouraged by the university’s work toward developing a new strategic plan, it was not satisfied that the university presented sufficient evidence of strong connections between institutional planning and the allocation of resources. As a result, the team concluded that it lacked evidence that the university met the standard for planning and resource allocation.
Acting on the team’s report, the commission acted to warn the university that it must come into compliance with the standard on planning and resource allocation. The commission issues a warning when “it believes that, although the institution is out of compliance, the institution has the capacity to make appropriate improvements within a reasonable period of time.” The commission also required that the university submit a monitoring report on its progress by March 1, 2011.
Dr. Barbara Dixon, the university’s new interim president, stated that “The university is pleased with the many commendations in the team’s report. Although the university is disappointed that the commission was not satisfied by the evidence it presented regarding planning and budget processes, the university will use the monitoring as an opportunity to improve in this important area. We are particularly encouraged by the commendation of our strategic planning process and by continued progress since the team visit. I am confident that LHU will make improvements within the appropriate time frame that will satisfy the commission and strengthen the university.”
Lock Haven University has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1949. Accreditation by a recognized accrediting organization is required in order for a university’s students to be eligible for federal grants and federally guaranteed student loans. Middle States accreditation must be reviewed and reaffirmed every five years, with a visit like this every ten years.
For more information about the university’s accreditations, see www.lhup.edu/accreditation. For more information about the Middle States Commission on Higher education, see www.msche.org.