Date:
10/18/2007
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
PORTALES—The self-study that Eastern New Mexico University prepared for its 2007 accreditation visit from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association has been chosen as an example for other schools to study. The report will be on display at the 2008 HLC Annual Meeting on April 11–15, 2008, in Chicago.
In its accreditation report, the HLC described ENMU's self-study as "well and clearly organized and presents a self-critical account of the institution's mission, current operations and structure, and potential for continuing success."
Following the visit, Eastern was granted the maximum ten-year continuing accreditation with no interim visits required.
"We are very grateful for the recognition by the Higher Learning Commission," said Steven Gamble, ENMU president. "Many people worked very hard in preparing the report. It was truly a joint effort by the faculty, staff and students. The recognition by the HLC confirms what we already knew about Eastern. We provide a quality education in an affordable and fiscally responsible manner."
Patrice Caldwell, executive director of Planning and Analysis at ENMU, will also make a formal presentation at the meeting. She will discuss how Eastern prepared for its self-study, selected its team, informed and solicited input from the campus community, and edited and wrote the report.
"We were identified by the Higher Learning Commission as having no weaknesses," said Caldwell. "The meeting in Chicago will allow other schools to learn from our experiences through peer-to-peer interaction."
In its final report, the HLC wrote: "The organization operates with integrity to ensure the fulfillment of its mission through structures and processes that involve the board, administration, faculty, staff and students…The institution recognizes the diversity of its learners as evidenced by its Federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and resources allocated to co-curricular support for Hispanic, African American, Native American and International student population."
The HLC also wrote that Eastern has a "well-focused and understood mission that it is effectively carrying out. It has able administrative leadership and competent faculty and staff devoted to the institution's goals and purposes. The weight of evidence suggests that institutional leadership, governance, resource allocation and planning will enable Eastern New Mexico University to be successful in meeting its challenges, thus warranting a ten-year accreditation cycle."
Linda Gies, professor of history (since retired), and Caldwell were the authors/editors of the self-study.
For more information, call Caldwell at 505.562.2315.