HLC Visit

Preparing for the HLC Visit

After the college has submitted its Assurance Argument to HLC, presenting our evidence that we have met the five criteria necessary for accreditation, HLC will send a field team of peer reviewers to evaluate our evidence and our assurance argument and to obtain feedback from all of the institution’s stakeholders: students, faculty, staff, administration, Board of Trustees and members of our community service area. The peer review team synthesizes all of this information and arrives at its reaccreditation decision.

HLC Information: Session Details and Assurance Argument Criterion Drafts

It is important that our entire campus community be engaged in the accreditation process and prepared for the visit. Throughout the course of the 2023–2024 academic year, the Compliance and Accreditation Team will host a series of presentations and discussions focused on each of HLC’s five criteria. All faculty and staff are highly encouraged to attend these events. By learning about HLC’s reaffirmation process and criteria, faculty and staff can contribute to the assurance argument and provide supporting evidence to showcase the work being done in each criterion.

We would love to hear your feedback! The Accreditation and Compliance Team will publish a draft for each criterion in the table below throughout the fall semester. Feedback can be submitted on each criterion by clicking on the feedback form button below or by emailing HLC2024@terra.edu.

HLC Feedback Form

HLC Accreditation- Introduction

HLC Accreditation:
Criterion 1: Mission

HLC Accreditation:
Criterion 2:
Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct

Possible HLC Questions

During their visit, HLC representatives may stop students, faculty, and staff from asking them questions. Here are some possible questions for our students, faculty and staff to help prepare for the visit. Questions are organized by respective groups.

Terra State Students

General

What do you know about accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission?
What distinguishes Terra from neighboring institutions?
What are Terra State’s greatest strengths?
What are the biggest challenges facing Terra State?
What is it like to be a student at Terra State?
Do you believe academics are the top priority at Terra State? Why or why not?
Describe any campus processes that could be improved or made more efficient.
What kind of changes are taking place at Terra State? Do you see these as positive or not?

Criterion 1

Do you know the Terra State Community College mission statement? How would you describe it?
Do you know where you would find the official mission statement?
Do you support the mission of Terra State?
Are you familiar with the core values of Terra State?
Do you support the core values of Terra State?
How does Terra State support students who meet the admissions criteria?
How does Terra State support students who are underprepared or struggling?
How do Terra State’s processes/activities reflect attention to human diversity?
How does Terra State support the community at large?
Are marketing materials accurate and up to date?
Why did you choose to attend Terra State? Have your expectations been met? Would you make the same choice if you were given the opportunity again?
What do you think is special about a Terra State education?
What do you like best about Terra State?
What would you change about Terra State if you could?
Would you recommend Terra State to other students?

Criterion 2

Describe the campus climate at Terra State.
Does Terra State have academic and financial requirements which are presented clearly and completely to students and the public?
Do you understand the transfer guidelines? The academic requirements to complete your degree?
Have you experienced any problems getting the courses you need in a timely manner?
Describe your experiences with academic advising.
Do you believe Terra State supports freedom of expression?
Do you know where to go for help with the following?
- Academic support
- Career planning
- Personal counseling
- Making a complaint
- Technology support
Does Terra State have policies and procedures in place to address ethical conduct in research for both faculty and students?

Criterion 3

Are you familiar with the college student learning outcomes?
Do you support the college student learning outcomes?
Are you supportive of the general education requirements at Terra State?
Do you know your departmental program student learning outcomes?
Are the classes offered by your department taught by qualified faculty including adjuncts?
Does Terra State provide sufficient technology support
What is your experience with the following college services:
- Library
- Tutoring
- Dining
- Student Activities
- Counseling Services
What characterizes the relationship between students and faculty?
What opportunities do you have to conduct research? Participate in community or service learning experiences? Interact with people and cultures different from your own?
Are Terra State students provided with sufficient and relevant co-curricular experiences?
Does Terra State have sufficient and appropriate classrooms to instruct students?
Are facilities appropriately maintained at Terra State?

Criterion 4

Did you transfer credit to Terra State? If so, what was your experience with the process?
Do you think Terra State is clear in its communication with students about topics such as financial aid, student conduct, costs, and graduation requirements? What improvements would you recommend?
Are Terra State instructors appropriately qualified?

Criterion 5

Describe the role of the Terra State Student Government Association.
How are students given the opportunity to provide input into important initiatives?
How are students given the opportunity to provide input into proposed tuition increases?
Are academic programs relevant and current?
Are the computer software systems helpful in assisting students with registration? With advising? With knowledge of campus events?

Terra State Staff

General

Have you read Terra State’s Assurance Argument?
What do you know about accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission?
What distinguishes Terra State from neighboring institutions?
What are Terra State’s greatest strengths?
What are the biggest challenges facing Terra State?
What is it like to work at Terra State?
How is morale on campus?
Do you believe academics are the top priority at Terra State? Why or why not?
Describe any campus processes that could be improved or made more efficient.
What kind of changes are taking place at Terra State? Do you see these as positive or not?

Terra State Faculty

Criterion 1

Do you know the Terra State mission statement? How would you describe it?
Do you know where you would find the official mission statement?
Do you support the mission of Terra State?
Does the Terra State Board of Trustees support the mission of Terra State?
How does your department support the mission of Terra State?
How were you involved in the strategic planning process at Terra State?
What are Terra State’s current strategic planning priorities?
Do you believe Terra State has made progress toward achieving the identified strategic goals?
Are you familiar with the core values of Terra State?
Do you support the core values of Terra State?
How does Terra State support students who meet the admissions criteria?
How does Terra State support students who are underprepared or struggling?
Are budget decisions made based on the strategic goals of the college?
Do budget decisions take into account recommendations from the program review?
What do you believe have been the major accomplishments of Terra State over the last ten years?
How do Terra State’s processes/activities reflect attention to human diversity?
How does Terra State support the community at large?

Criterion 2

Is Terra State committed to equal educational/employment opportunities?
Describe the campus climate at Terra State.
Describe shared governance and how faculty participate in decision-making at different levels of the college (department, college, institution)
For some common faculty issues (workload, salary, sabbatical leaves, etc.), what works well and what needs to be improved?
Are you satisfied with the support you receive to enhance your teaching?
Are you satisfied with the support you receive to enhance your scholarship?
Have Terra State administrators established a culture of trust within the college?
Do you understand the FERPA policy?
Does Terra State have academic and financial requirements which are presented clearly and completely to students and the public?
What are the major responsibilities of the Board of Trustees?
Who is responsible for curriculum additions/deletions/modifications?
Who is responsible for academic policy creation/modification?
Do you, faculty, believe you have academic freedom in your teaching?
Does Terra State have policies and procedures in place to address ethical conduct in research for both faculty and students?

Criterion 3

What characterizes a Terra State education?
What is the process for making curriculum changes in your academic programs?
Are you familiar with the college’s general education learning outcomes?
Do you support the college’s general education learning outcomes?
What is the purpose of Terra State’s general education program? How do you know if it is achieving its purpose? How could it be improved?
Do you know your departmental program student learning outcomes?
How do you know your majors are attaining the program learning outcomes?
What is your department’s vision for the future? How does it relate to the college’s vision?
How is course quality and consistency ensured in multiple section face-to-face courses? In online versions of face-to-face courses? In concurrent or twinned enrollment courses?
Does your department offer courses or programs via distance education? If so, how does your department ensure the quality of the curriculum?
Does the college provide support for the development of on-line courses?
Are the classes offered by your department taught by qualified faculty, including adjuncts and concurrent enrollment course instructors?
What is the role of faculty in ensuring academic quality?
Can you describe the tenure and promotion process? What is your impression of the process?
Do you know what Terra State’s Quality Initiative was these past three years?
Does Terra State provide sufficient technology support?
What professional development resources are available to support faculty? Are they sufficient?
What opportunities do students in your program have to gain experience in their program of study? With community or civic engagement? With diversity or multiculturalism?
How would you characterize the relationship between faculty and administration?
Are students provided with adequate academic and personal support services?
Are students provided with sufficient and relevant co-curricular experiences?
Does Terra State have a commitment to retention and progression to graduation? How successful have the efforts been?
Does Terra State have sufficient and appropriate classrooms to instruct students?
Are facilities appropriately maintained at Terra State?
How do you track your majors to determine how successful they are after they graduate?

Criterion 4

Describe the program review process used at Terra State
Describe the transfer policy used by Terra State College for general education courses. For major courses.
Are Terra State faculty appropriately qualified?
Describe the general education course approval process.
Is your department actively involved in assessing student learning?
How has your department used its assessment findings?
How are you made aware of student achievement of the College’s general learning outcomes? Where is this information located?
How is Terra State doing with regard to first year retention rates? Graduation rates?

Criterion 5

What are the different revenue streams Terra State Community College utilizes to fund the institution?
What challenges do you believe Terra State will need to deal with in the next 10 years?
Do you understand the annual budget process?
Are capital improvements (facilities, technology, and equipment) based on strategic needs of the institution?
Do you believe the Terra State Board of Trustees is aware of important initiatives being undertaken on campus?
How does the Ohio Department of Higher Education fit into the institutional governance structure?
What is the role of the Faculty Union?
Are faculty given the opportunity to provide input into important initiatives? If yes, how?
How are assessment results taken into consideration during the budget decision making process?
How are program review recommendations taken into consideration during the budget decision making process?
How are strategic planning goals taken into consideration during the budget decision making process?

Terra State Adjunct Faculty

Criterion 1

Do you know the Terra State mission statement? How would you describe it?
Do you know where you would find the official mission statement?
Do you support the mission of Terra State?
Does the Terra State Board of Trustees support the mission of Terra State?
How does your department support the mission of Terra State?
How were you involved in the strategic planning process at Terra State?
What are Terra State’s current strategic planning priorities?
Do you believe Terra State has made progress toward achieving the identified strategic goals?
Are you familiar with the core values of Terra State?
Do you support the core values of Terra State?
Are budget decisions made based on the strategic goals of the college?
Do budget decisions take into account recommendations from the program review?
What do you believe have been the major accomplishments of Terra State over the last ten years?
How do Terra State’s processes/activities reflect attention to human diversity?
How does Terra State support the community at large?
Are marketing materials accurate and up to date?

Criterion 2

Is Terra State committed to equal educational/employment opportunities?
Describe the campus climate at Terra State.
Are you satisfied with the support you receive to enhance your teaching?
Have Terra State administrators established a culture of trust within the college?
Do you understand the FERPA policy?
Does Terra State have academic and financial requirements which are presented clearly and completely to students and the public?
Who is responsible for curriculum additions/deletions/modifications?
Who is responsible for academic policy creation/modification?
Do you believe you have academic freedom in your teaching?

Criterion 3

What characterizes a Terra State education?
What is the process for making curriculum changes in your academic programs?
Do you know your departmental program student learning outcomes?
How do you know your majors are attaining the program learning outcomes?
What is your department’s vision for the future? How does it relate to the college’s vision?
Are the classes offered by your department taught by qualified faculty including adjuncts and concurrent enrollment course instructors?
Do you know what Terra State’s Quality Initiative was these past three years?
Does Terra State provide sufficient technology support?
What resources are available to support instructors? Are they sufficient?
Are instructors provided with professional development opportunities?
Are students provided with adequate academic and personal support services?
Does Terra State have a commitment to retention and progression to graduation? How successful have the efforts been?
Does Terra State have sufficient and appropriate classrooms to instruct students?
Are facilities appropriately maintained at Terra State?

Criterion 4

Describe the program review process used at Terra State
Are Terra State instructors appropriately qualified?
Is your department actively involved in assessing student learning?
How has your department used its assessment findings?
How is Terra State doing with regard to first year retention rates? Graduation rates?
What is Terra State doing to improve retention/graduation rates?

Criterion 5

What challenges do you believe Terra State will need to deal with in the next 10 years?
Are capital improvements (facilities, technology, and equipment) based on strategic needs of the institution?
Do you believe the Terra State Board of Trustees is aware of important initiatives being undertaken on the Terra State campus?
How are adjunct faculty given the opportunity to provide input into important initiatives?
How are assessment results taken into consideration during the budget decision making process?
How are program review recommendations taken into consideration during the budget decision making process?
How are strategic planning goals taken into consideration during the budget decision making process?

Terra State Board of Trustees

General

What are the agenda and the materials used in the orientation of new board members?
Do all board members receive annual training? If yes, what type?
Has the board enhanced Terra State’s ability to fulfill its mission? If yes, how?
Has the board assisted in generating resources needed to sustain and improve the institution? If yes, how?
Are there clearly defined expectations and protocols for trustee obligations and communications with each other, the President, employees and community members?
How does the board share records of resource allocation decisions with the College community?
What are the biggest resource challenges at Terra State?
Does the board periodically and objectively assess its effectiveness and the effectiveness of Terra State’s governance structure?

Additional HLC Resources

How Institutions are Accredited
HLC Criteria for Accreditation
Assumed Practices
HLC Third-Party Comment on an Upcoming Visit
HLC Submit a Complaint Process

HLC Visit

Preparing for the HLC Visit

HLC Information: Session Details and Assurance Argument Criterion Drafts

Terra State Students

Terra State Staff

Terra State Faculty

Terra State Adjunct Faculty

Terra State Board of Trustees

Additional HLC Resources

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