1996 Review

Higher education institutions affiliated with a regional accrediting agency typically undergo the reaccreditation process every 10 years. To prepare, institutions must perform a self-study and provide evidence of institutional quality and integrity. An external review team then visits the institution and assesses its formal educational activities and evaluates its governance and administration, financial stability, admissions and student services, resources, student academic achievement, organizational effectiveness, and relationships with outside constituencies.

The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has continuously accredited Iowa State University since 1916. Iowa State University’s last accreditation review occurred in 1996. The University received the maximum
10-year reaccredidation with no restrictions or conditions.

In its 1996 visit, an evaluation team determined that Iowa State University had made significant improvements since its 1986 review. The report cited several areas of strength, including: strong interest in and support for higher education from the Board of Regents, State of Iowa; pervasive understanding and support for the land-grant mission with the University community; widespread awareness of the importance of planning for the future direction of the institution; and widespread cooperation and collaboration among and between academic units. The report further commended the University for its foresight in acquiring resources to support an aggressive/progressive advancement of its computer capabilities, its progress in improving library facilities and services, its impressive physical plant and grounds, and its development of an academic program review process that makes an important contribution to program improvement.

The team commended Iowa State for the creation of the Faculty Senate, calling it “an important milestone in the life of the University” and lauded the Honors Program because it “attracts talented students who enliven the intellectual life of the campus.” It also cited Extension’s presence in each county and noted that “examples of benefits to the people of Iowa abound.”

Suggestions for improvement, as provided by the evaluation team, were:

• A need for better overall linkages between planning, budgeting, and setting of   university priorities
• A more active faculty role in the planning, budgeting and setting of university   priorities;
• The need to upgrade facilities due to a considerable amount of deferred   maintenance;
• A review of the organization and effectiveness of the Cooperative Extension   Service;
• A full implementation of outcomes assessment.