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RELEASE DATE: February
1, 2000
North Central Association Evaluation of Lakeland Community College
Lakeland Community College will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit on May 8-10, 2000 by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Lakeland Community College has been accredited by the Commission since 1973. Its accreditation is at the associate's degree level.
The team of Consultant-Evaluators are faculty and administrators from community colleges in NCA's 19-state region, excluding Ohio. They will conduct comprehensive evaluations of Lakeland Community College for purposes of quality assurance and institutional and program improvement. The team will spend 3 days examining documents, interviewing personnel, and developing recommendations.
Lakeland Community College's last evaluation was in April 1990 when the college conducted a self-study of college programs and departments were evaluated according to criteria established by the Commission. Lakeland faculty and staff completed its self-study in 1999 and are now preparing for the evaluation visit in May.
The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. Accreditation is voluntary. The Commission accredits approximately 940 institutions of higher education in a 19-state region. The Commission is recognized the U.S. Department of Education.
Lakeland Community College has been engaged in a process of self-study for the last 18 months. During that time the college addressed the Commission's requirements and criteria for accreditation. The evaluation team will visit theinstitution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for the college; following a review process, the Commission itself will take the final action.
The Consultant-Evaluators will examine Lakeland's standards based on 24 General Institutional Requirements and five Criteria for Accreditation. The Criteria deal with organization of its resources and documentation that shows the college is accomplishing its purposes and can continue doing so.
The public is invited to submit comments regarding the college to:
Public Comment on Lakeland Community College
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602
Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Written, signed comments must be received by April 1, 2000. The Commission cannot guarantee the commentsreceived after the due date will be considered. Comments should include the name, address and telephone number of the person providing the comments. Comments will not be treated as confidential.
Individuals with a specific dispute or grievance with an institution
should request the separate Policy on Complaints document from the
Commission Office. The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
cannot settle disputes betweenInstitutions and individuals. Complaints
will not be considered third party comment.
