NIU has written the initial draft of its new self-study in anticipation of an upcoming accreditation process.

The Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional accrediting bodies approved by the U.S. Department of Education, will evaluate NIU next year to ensure the university has met the standards for higher education.

“NIU was last accredited in 1994,” said Virginia Cassidy, associate vice president of academic planning and development. “The HLC cycle for accreditation is 10 years.”

The process involves two parts: a self-study and a site visit by HLC representatives.

“A self-study is a report prepared by the university to show how the university meets the standards,” Cassidy said. “It provides information on every aspect of the university to show that the university has met the standards and is planning for the future.”

Some aspects the study includes are admissions requirements, curriculum development, student services, the student body, degrees awarded, maintenance of buildings, alumni relations and athletics.

President John Peters appointed Jan Rintala, a professor of kinesiology and physical education, in 2002 to organize a committee of faculty members who were responsible for drafting the study.

Members of the committee were assigned to write portions of the self-study, which represents each of the 13 chapters of the document.

The study, which is posted at http://qa.niu.edu/SelfStudy/index.htm, is available so members of the university community can provide feedback.

All comments are to be made no later than Oct. 31.