Overview

The NEASC Self Study Report 2011 is now published and available under "NEASC Self Study Report 2011". Public comments are being sought by the accreditation committee. Click here for more information.

Welcome to The University of Southern Maine Accreditation website.  Every ten years, the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) assesses member colleges and universities for accreditation. Every fifth year we are required to undergo a mid-decade update and review. USM’s last review was in 2001, followed by a five year review in 2006. In each of these reviews, we were successful in meeting the requirements established by NEASC.  Goals and challenges identified from those reviews were incorporated into institutional change efforts, providing direction for university development and growth.

NEASC Standards, eleven in all, serve as the guidelines for the achievement of a successful review.  These standards also guide an institution in the preparation of a self-study document which will be developed on campus through accreditation committees and discussions within public forums.  USM's self-study process began in Spring 2009 will and continue for the next 20 months. By early Fall 2010, a report will be compiled and circulated for peer evaluation. A final document, submitted to NEASC in late Fall 2010, will be followed by an early Spring 2011 NEASC site review team visit with final consideration by the Commission in Spring 2011.  Leading us in this effort is Luisa Deprez, Professor of Sociology and Women and Gender Studies.

As this process unfolds, we will invite numerous faculty and staff from all parts of the institution to participate in the development of the self-study report.  Outreach by individual committees will occur over a period of about 18 months and opportunities for review and update will also be regularly available to the entire university community through both public and college/school-based forums and through a dedicated website.  We believe that frequent and open conversation and communication with faculty, staff, students, and the greater Southern Maine community will be critical to achieving the positive outcome to which we all aspire. 

We look forward to your visits to this site, to your participation in this effort, and to your feedback on documents as they are created.  It is only when we work together as a community that our true achievements can be realized.  

Thank you.

Dr. John R. Wright
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs