SRU gets ‘gold star’ from Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Dec. 7, 2016

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - You did good, Slippery Rock University. In fact, you did really good.

So says the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in accepting SRU's Periodic Review Report that reaffirms the University's accreditation. In notifying SRU of its acceptance, the MSCHE commended the institution for the quality of its Periodic Review Report.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a voluntary, non-governmental, regional membership association that serves higher education institutions across five states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

MSCHE's accreditation process ensures institutional accountability, self-appraisal, improvement and innovation through peer review and the rigorous application of standards within the context of institutional mission. MSCHE accreditation helps to assure students and the public of the educational quality of participating institutions.

"The entire University should be incredibly proud of Middle States' response to our periodic review. It's almost unheard of to have no recommendations that need to be addressed, but to also be commended for the quality of the report is unusual," said SRU President Cheryl Norton. "We need to celebrate that the path that the institution has chosen to follow not only is on sound educational footing, but has demonstrated quality of educational excellence as well. And those are two different, but critical, things."

SRU submitted it's 50-plus page Periodic Review Report to MSCHE - which included institutional examinations of assessment, enrollment, budgeting, planning and challenges and opportunities that the University sees for itself over the next five years - in June.

"Most schools receive some sort of 'tell us how you're doing with "X" in six months,' or something along those lines," said Mary Hennessey, assistant to the provost. "To not have anything that they feel needs attention or improvement at this time is a major feather in the institution's cap."

The University's next accreditation visit is scheduled for the 2020-21 academic year.

MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu