OHIO community invited to participate in Higher Learning Commission open forums

On Monday, March 24, all Ohio University students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the Open Forum sessions as part of the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) review of the University as part of its ten-year cycle for reaffirmation of accreditation. 

The HLC will visit OHIO’s Athens, Eastern and Lancaster campuses on March 24-25.

Open Forum details

Each of the Open Forum sessions will focus on specific Criteria for Accreditation that HLC utilizes to determine whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. Each session will include a brief topical introduction with a Q&A format, and light refreshments will be provided

Please note: A virtual option is available for each of the following sessions via Microsoft Teams for interested students, faculty and staff who are unable to attend in person (an OHIO username is required to enter any/all virtual sessions). 

Additional information about each open forum is available online. The documentation that OHIO provided to the HLC Peer Review Team, including the Assurance Argument, Federal Compliance Report and Multi-Campus Report, is posted online and available to review in preparation for this visit. Anyone with questions about the HLC Open Forums or any part of the HLC comprehensive evaluation can drop into the virtual HLC Site Visit Prep Open Office Hours (opens in a new window) during the week of March 17-21. 

Monday, March 24

What: Criteria 1 (Mission) and Criteria 2 (Integrity - Ethical Responsibility and Conduct)
When: 1:30 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Where: Baker University Center 240/242 or via Microsoft Teams (opens in a new window) 

What: Criteria 3 (Teaching and Learning – Quality, Resources and Support) and Criteria 4 (Teaching and Learning, Evaluation and Improvement)
When: 1:30 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Where: Baker University Center Ballroom or via Microsoft Teams (opens in a new window) 

What: Criteria 5 (Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning)
When: 3:10 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Where: Baker University Center 240/242 or via Microsoft Teams (opens in a new window)

Learning more and getting involved

The University will continue to keep the OHIO community updated as its reaffirmation of accreditation process moves forward via ohio.edu/provost/accreditation/reaffirmation.

Additionally, the OHIO community is invited to review an informational page that includes specific details about the HLC’s Peer Team visit, the components of a comprehensive evaluation and more. Specific reaffirmation of accreditation information and guidance for OHIO’s varied audiences, including students, faculty and staff is also available via OHIO Today.