2008 Woodie Awards
RSSNew accreditation groups announced
By Lisa Luzzi
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: News
The university opened discussion in programs such as the First-Year Experience and Beyond and Technology Support for Learning-Centered Mission, in preparation for the 2008 Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation.
Lehigh will use the accreditation process to evaluate programs and make sure the university is allocating resources properly.
The university formed an accreditation steering committee, which works on the different areas assessed in the Middle States process.
According to the Middle States Commission Web site, the accreditation process is a prerequisite for universities to access federal or state funds. The money funds research, programs, facilities and government financial aid.
Initially, the university created only two sub-committees in the area of self-study, according to the accreditation guidelines.
The committees are now expanded to include the First Year Experience and Beyond, Technology and Support for Learning-Centered Mission and Advancement of Student Learning
John Smeaton, vice provost of student affairs and co-chair of the First-Year Experience and Beyond sub-committee, said the main focus of the sub-committee will be to investigate if the intellectual, social and personal needs of incoming freshman were met by academic and student affairs during the transition to college.
Bruce Taggart, vice provost of library and technology services and head of the sub-committee for Technology and Support for Leaning-Centered Mission, said the committee will focus on maintaining a solid record of how technology enhances teaching and learning at the university.
In the past, the university distributed technology across campus with computer stations, wireless access, labs and preparing faculty to use technological tools to enhance their classes, Taggart said.
Technology is influential and integral to learning at Lehigh, Taggart said. Surveys conducted on campus show 90 percent of students believe technology enhances learning, and 90 percent of teachers believe technology enhances their teaching. The sub-committee will work on finding more ways to integrate technology into classrooms and learning experiences.
Lehigh will use the accreditation process to evaluate programs and make sure the university is allocating resources properly.
The university formed an accreditation steering committee, which works on the different areas assessed in the Middle States process.
According to the Middle States Commission Web site, the accreditation process is a prerequisite for universities to access federal or state funds. The money funds research, programs, facilities and government financial aid.
Initially, the university created only two sub-committees in the area of self-study, according to the accreditation guidelines.
The committees are now expanded to include the First Year Experience and Beyond, Technology and Support for Learning-Centered Mission and Advancement of Student Learning
John Smeaton, vice provost of student affairs and co-chair of the First-Year Experience and Beyond sub-committee, said the main focus of the sub-committee will be to investigate if the intellectual, social and personal needs of incoming freshman were met by academic and student affairs during the transition to college.
Bruce Taggart, vice provost of library and technology services and head of the sub-committee for Technology and Support for Leaning-Centered Mission, said the committee will focus on maintaining a solid record of how technology enhances teaching and learning at the university.
In the past, the university distributed technology across campus with computer stations, wireless access, labs and preparing faculty to use technological tools to enhance their classes, Taggart said.
Technology is influential and integral to learning at Lehigh, Taggart said. Surveys conducted on campus show 90 percent of students believe technology enhances learning, and 90 percent of teachers believe technology enhances their teaching. The sub-committee will work on finding more ways to integrate technology into classrooms and learning experiences.
