Institutional Effectiveness and Loyola's Self-Study: 2019-2021
In the Spring 2019 semester, Loyola University Maryland began a comprehensive self-study process, which culminated in a visit and peer-evaluation during the Spring 2021 semester by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In Spring 2022, Loyola submitted a Supplemental Information Report to Middle States to document further evidence of the University's assessment of institutional effectiveness.
Accreditation Reaffirmed
Loyola University Maryland is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on June 24, 2021, was to reaffirm accreditation. Details can be found in the Statement of Accreditation Status.
Third-party comments can be made through the MSCHE’s Complaints and Third Party Comments page (msche.org/complaints). Third party comments are a means of providing information and evidence regarding an institution’s compliance with the Commission’s standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, and policies and procedures as part of a scheduled accreditation review.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education and Standards for Accreditation
Loyola University Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), located at 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801 (telephone 267-284-5011). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
The Commission, through the accreditation process, requires that member institutions, such as Loyola, meet rigorous and comprehensive Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. These standards and requirements are addressed in the context of each institution’s own mission, within the culture of ethical practices and institutional integrity expected of accredited colleges and universities.
More information about these standards and requirements is available on the Commission’s website.
The Final Self-Study Report and Evaluation
The University’s Committee on Institutional Effectiveness, a standing committee of the Loyola Conference and a permanent part of the University’s governance structure, served as the steering committee for the University’s self-study.
The peer evaluation team conducted a virtual site visit March 21-24, 2021. During this visit, the evaluators worked to verify the final self-study report and to evaluate to what extent Loyola meets the standards of accreditation. Many members of the Loyola community participated in conversations and interviews with the evaluation team.
The Supplemental Information Report
The University submitted a Supplemental Information Report to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in February 2022 to provide further evidence of organized and systematic assessments that evaluate institutional effectiveness of fulfilling Loyola's mission and goals.
Read the Supplemental Information Report
The University established a new systematic and organized plan for Institutional Effectiveness in Fall 2021, with the approval of the Loyola Conference. Implementation of the plan commenced in Fall 2021.
Read the Institutional Effectiveness Assessment Plan
Assessment of Institutional Effectiveness
Institutional effectiveness assessment is a reflective, systematic, and ongoing process, the primary purpose of which is the improvement of the University’s progress toward its mission and goals. Assessment allows actions to be taken with evidence-based decision-making in light of Loyola’s core value, the constant challenge to improve.
The University is adopting a new university-wide plan for the assessment of institutional effectiveness, and implementation will be phased in over three years.
The Plan
Loyola University Maryland will foster and engage in a culture of assessment at the institutional level and across functional areas. Annual and periodic reporting cycles will lead the University to regularly assess its effectiveness at the institution-, division-, and unit-levels through the measurement and evaluation of progress toward goals that support fulfillment of the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
Loyola University Maryland Institutional Effectiveness Assessment Plan (PDF)
| Timeline | |
|---|---|
| 2021-22 | The President’s Cabinet leads implementation of the plan with institution-level reports on the Key Performance Indicators of the University’s strategic priorities. |
| 2022-23 | The vice presidents continue implementation of the plan by adding division-level reports on measures of progress toward strategically-aligned divisional goals. Strategic planning will be underway in 2022-23, thus new strategic priorities will be developed for the University. |
| 2023-24 | Units begin to report on goals aligned to the new strategic plan. A fully implemented plan includes regular reports from the University, the divisions, and the units. |
Resources
- The Committee on Institutional Effectiveness, a standing committee of the Loyola Conference, supports ongoing institutional effectiveness assessment initiatives at Loyola.
- Assessment Practices, Tools, and Internal Reports (SharePoint folder – Loyola access only)
- Institutional Research - Fact Book
Annual Assessment Reports in Watermark
Institutional effectiveness reports will be completed in a centralized software system called Planning & Self-Study by Watermark. Accounts are assigned after the completion of an orientation. To request an orientation and an account, set an appointment with Tracey Frey.
Those with existing Watermark Planning & Self-Study accounts can log in below:
Log in with your Watermark account
Internal technical support is provided by Tracey Frey. In addition, Watermark provides phone and email support. Be sure to identify the product as Planning & Self-Study when you contact Watermark.
- Watermark phone support: 1-800-311-5656 (M-Th 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri 8 a.m.-7 p.m. [Eastern]) or 24/7 support by email at support@watermarkinsights.com
Contact
Tracey Frey
Asst. VP for Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Assessment
tdfrey@loyola.edu
410-617-2455