What is accreditation?
“Accreditation is a process of peer review that the educational community has adopted for its self-regulation since early in the 20th century. It is a voluntary process intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of public confidence. Institutions choose to apply for accredited status, and once accredited, they agree to abide by the standards of their accrediting organization and to regulate themselves by taking responsibility for their own improvement.” (2010, Middle States Commission of Higher Education)
Why is accreditation important?
Accreditation means that a university has been evaluated through a rigorous peer review process and that standards of quality and excellence have been met. Accreditation is required for campuses to be eligible to participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs.
With the success of students being our highest priority, Cheyney University is committed to continually working to improve its educational programs, resources, facilities, and services. Reaccreditation includes an extensive evaluation of how well the University’s programs, resources, facilities and services fulfill its mission to foster student success.
Who is Cheyney University’s accrediting body?
Cheyney University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which has authority from the U.S. Department of Education to conduct accreditation activities for institutions of higher education.
What standards must an institution meet to gain accreditation and remain accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education?
The are seven Standards of Accreditation, all guided by five core principles that include the application of the Standards within the context of our individual Mission and Goals, reflection on diversity, focus on the student experience, emphasis on institutional assessment and evidence based decision-making, and innovation. The seven Standards are Mission & Goals, Ethics & Integrity, Design & Delivery of the Student Learning Experience, Support of the Student Experience, Educational Effectiveness Assessment, Planning & Institutional Improvement, and Governance & Administration.
What is the process for the accreditation review cycle?
The reaccreditation process takes place every 8 years and involves two stages of evaluation: a campus-wide Self Study and an on-site evaluation by a team of experts from the .
Where is Cheyney in the Accreditation Process?
Cheyney completed a Self-Study report (link to report here) in January 2023 and hosted a successful Self-Study visit in February/March 2023. Following that visit, the Visiting Team noted that Cheyney met the Standards of Accreditation. The University submitted a Follow-Up Report to the Commission in August 2023 and hosted a Small Team Visit in September 2023 to address issues surrounding its designation as a Heightened Cash Monitoring (HCM) institution and a Department of Education Program Review. The Small Team confirmed the opinion of the Self-Study Visiting Team and reported that Cheyney continued to meet all Standards of Accreditation.
The Self-Study report, which Cheyney completed in January 2023, and subsequent Self-Study visit in February/March 2023, also provided important recommendations for improvement and innovation, both of which were self-identified by the institution, and recommended by the visiting peer-review Team.
In November 2023, the Commission placed the institution on Probation, citing Standards surrounding ongoing issues related to the Program Review and Recommendations around Assessment that were given by the Visiting Teams.
Why is Cheyney University on Probation?
According to MSCHE’s recent action, the University’s accreditation is in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity), Standard III (Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), and former Requirements of Affiliation 5 and 11. Cheyney University remains accredited while on probation.
Cheyney University strongly disagrees with both the Commission’s action and the basis for its decision and believes that the action mischaracterizes the tremendous progress we have made as a University since mid-2017. University President Aaron Walton sent a letter to the Commission requesting an urgent review and reversal of the probationary action. Additionally, PASSHE Board of Governors Chair Cynthia Shapira and Chancellor Dan Greenstein added their support of the University in this open letter https://chancellorgreenstein.blogspot.com/2023/12/open-letter-to-cheyney-university.html
What does it mean to be on Probation and what are the next steps?
Probation is a non-compliance action, made by the Commission when, in the Commission’s judgement, the institution does not appear to be in compliance with one or more Commission standards. Cheyney will submit a Monitoring Report to the Commission on March 1, 2024, to be followed by a Team Visit. The Monitoring Report will provide evidence that the institution is in compliance with the identified standards, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and federal regulatory requirements. The initial non-compliance period is 36 months. It is important to note that the institution remains accredited while on probation. The University is confident that it will provide all evidence required to show continued compliance and probationary status will be removed.
Does a university lose accreditation while on probation?
No. A university that is on probation remains accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Additionally, Cheyney University is certified to award Federal Student Financial Aid through the Department of Education through June 2026 (at which point in time a regular review process will occur).
What does probation status mean for our current students’ degrees and for prospective students?
Other institutions will continue to accept CU credits for transfer or admission to a program at a higher level. Students’ degrees will be recognized as conferred from an accredited institution, even though the institution is on probation. Prospective students interested in applying to Cheyney should be aware that there are no changes to Admissions Policies or Procedures based on our probationary status.
What can the community do to support Accreditation?
The most important thing that the campus community can do is stay involved! Students can reach out to Student Affairs team and SGA members for ways to be involved with campus community. Alumni are encouraged to stay connected to the Alumni Association. Everyone can participate in Campus Committees when applicable, Town Halls and respond to campus surveys when they are sent; you can raise questions and provide suggestions at any time on the virtual suggestion box: https://cheyney.edu/suggestion/
Where can I find more information and regular updates about the probation status?
For questions about Middle States Accreditation, or our probationary status in general, please contact Erika Shehata, Cheyney University Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) at EShehata@cheyney.edu We will continue to post updates here as they become available.