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Comments Requested By Review Team
(Press Release 08-18-06)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Eastern Oklahoma State College is slated for a comprehensive accreditation review this fall and the evaluation team has requested comments about the school from the community.

Eastern’s comprehensive review occurs every 10 years by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Eastern has been accredited by the commission since 1955. The evaluation is scheduled for November 13-15 and will include campuses at Wilburton and McAlester and outreach campuses at Idabel and Antlers.

The Higher Learning Commission is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. The commission accredits approximately 1100 institution of higher education in a nineteen-state region and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For the past year and half, Eastern has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the commission’s requirements and criteria for accreditation. The evaluation team will visit Eastern to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate.

The evaluation team will recommend to the commission a continuing status for the college; following a review process, the commission itself will take the final action.

The public is invited to submit comments reguarding Eastern to:
Public Comment on Eastern Oklahoma State College
The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60602

According to the commission, comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Written, signed comments must be received by October 13. The commission cannot guarantee that comments received after the due date will be considered. Comments should include the name, address and telephone number of the person providing the comments. Comments cannot be treated as confidential according to the commission.

The commission says that individuals with specific dispute or grievance with the institution should request the separate Policy on Complaints document from the commission office. The Higher Learning Commission cannot settle disputes between institutions and individuals. Complaints will not be considered third party comment they say.