NEASC Accreditation

The 2010-2012 NEASC Self Study website is designed to provide all of the documents necessary to understand and fully participate in the accreditation process.

Fitchburg State University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of NEASC is the regional accreditation agency for colleges and universities in the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Additionally two institutions in Greece, three in Switzerland, and one in Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Bermuda, and Lebanon, respectively, are also affiliated with CIHE. In total, 247 institutions of higher education are evaluated by NEASC. The Commission consists of twenty-four elected commissioners and more than one thousand volunteers from the faculty and administration of its affiliated institutions. The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a reliable authority on the quality of education for the institutions it accredits.

On March 4 - 7, 2012, Fitchburg State will be having its site visit for NEASC. To prepare for this visit, each institution is asked to create a 100 page self-study where we reflect upon how the University meets the standards for accreditation that have been established by and for the institutions of our region. Accreditation is a voluntary system of self-regulation carried out by peer review in which Fitchburg State will be found to meet or exceed a set of standards. In short, the accreditation process looks at our university mission as measured against the standards of the higher education community. This will require evidence, appraisal, and candor as we both look back at what we have done and then look ahead to the future.

Demystifying NEASC Presentation

As well as the PowerPoint presentation from Assessment Day, 1/17/2012 (PPT).

If you have any questions or comments for the NEASC Committee members, please use the following email address: Neasc2010@fitchburgstate.edu.

NEASC Committee Membership

  • Shirley Wagner, Associate VPAA, co-chair
  • Paul Weizer, co-chair
  • Michael Fiorentino replaced by Robin Bowen, Vice President/Academic Affairs
  • Christine Dee, Economics, History and Political Science
  • Jane Fiske, Humanities (on sabbatical Fall 2011) temporarily replaced by Susan Wadsworth Humanities
  • Meledath Govindan, Biology/Chemistry (on sabbatical Fall 2011) temporarily replaced by Meg Hoey, Biology/Chemistry
  • John Chetro-Szivos, Communications Media
  • Anne Howard, Education
  • Linda McKay, Nursing
  • Patrice Gray, English Studies
  • Charles Sides, Communications/Media
  • Terrance Carroll, Director of Institutional Research –also APA
  • Sheila Sykes, VP, Finance (to be replaced by Jay Bry, Interim VP, Finance)
  • Cathy Canney, Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education
  • Michael Shanley, Executive Assistant to the President for External Affairs
  • Sherry Horeanopoulos, APA
  • Matt Costello, Student trustee
  • Eric Gregoire, President of the SGA, Graduated May 2011
  • Carissa Fucillo, Student, Public Information Director, SGA Executive Board
  • Rob Pontbriand, Trustee
  • Bill Flynn - Alumnus
  • Diane Lucas - AFSCME

Standards 1, 2 and 3

  • Jeff Godin, Exercise and Sport Science, co-chair
  • Pam McCafferty, Dean of Enrollment Management, co-chair
  • Viera Lorencova, Communications/Media
  • Nancy Murray, Education
  • Marjorie Ness, Humanities (on sabbatical Spring 2012)
  • Michael Turk, Economics, History and Political Science
  • Louis Zivic, Business Administration
  • Linda DiFazio, APA replaced by Terry Carroll, Director of Institutional Research
  • Karen Sharpe, Executive Director of Development to be replaced by: Chris Hendry
  • Angela Palmer, Director of Extended Campus Programs and CPS
  • Beth Walsh, Behavioral Sciences
  • Renee Scapparone, Business Administration
  • Phil Sandy, 2013
  • Nathan LaRose, graduated May 2011
  • Bev Farias, Trustee
  • Ian Murray, AFSCME

Standards 4 and 5

  • David Antaya, Exercise and Sport Science
  • Jennifer Berg, Math, co-chair
  • Rala Diakite, Humanities
  • Jennifer Fielding, Library
  • Beverly Hollingsworth, Business Administration
  • Sara Levine, Behavioral Sciences
  • Ben Lieberman, Economics, History and Political Science
  • Frank Mabee, English
  • Chris Picone, Biology/Chemistry
  • Ben Railton, English
  • Bruce Romano, Mathematics
  • Shari Stokes, Education
  • David Weiss replaced by Lynne Kellner, Behavioral Science
  • Brian Bercier, Associate Dean of GCE
  • Elaine Francis (Fall) replaced by Pam Hill (Spring), Dean of Education, co-chair
  • Linda Dupell, Registrar
  • Michael Leamy, Director of Distance Learning
  • Ann Hogan to be replaced by Chris Cratsley, Interim Director of Assessment January 2, 2011
  • Tyler Welsh, 2011
  • Matthew Gordon, 2012
  • Casey Ober, 2012
  • Stephanie Scaglione, Graduate Student

Standard 6

  • Laurie DeRosa, Education
  • Robert Dumas, Nursing
  • G.L. Mazard Wallace, Sociology
  • Elizabeth Gordon, Geophysical Science, co-chair
  • Joe Moser, English
  • Ann Mrvica, Communications/Media
  • Kay Reynolds, Director of Admissions
  • Susan Lauder, Athletics
  • Hank Parkinson, Student Activities
  • Tom Rousseau, Assistant Dean of Student Life
  • Kathryn Wells, Library
  • Stan Bucholc, Dean of Student and Academic Life, co-chair
  • Rob Hynes, Assistant Dean of Student Life
  • Nancy McLaughlin
  • Carissa Fucillo, 2013
  • Matt Mello (replacing Paige Dugay, 2014)

Standards 7, 8, 9

  • James Alicata, Industrial Technology
  • Sean Goodlett, Economics, History and Political Science
  • Randy Howe, Communications Media
  • Linda LeBlanc, Library
  • Nadimpalli Mahadev, Computer Science
  • Wayne Munson, Communications Media
  • Audrey Pereira, Business Administration, co-chair
  • Thomas Schoenfeld, Biology/Chemistry
  • Peter Staab, Mathematics
  • Jay Bry, Chief Operations Officer to be replaced by Joe LoBuono
  • Robert Foley, Director of the Library
  • Steve Swartz, CIO, Assistant Vice President, co-chair
  • Heidi Swift, Finance
  • Kathy Daggett, Finance
  • Ann Marie Dunton, Director of Housing – APA to be replaced by Tom Clark, Housing
  • John Wentworth, 2015
  • Nicholas Smith, 2011

Standards 10, 11

  • Laura Baker, Economics, History and Political Science, co-chair (on sabbatical Spring 2012)
  • Christine Devine, Nursing
  • Cheryl Goldman, Behavioral Sciences or Michael Nosek, Biology/Chemistry
  • Randall Grometstein, Behavioral Sciences
  • Walter Jeffko, Humanities
  • Doris Schmidt, English
  • Nancy Turnbull, Library
  • Wayne Whitfield, Industrial Technology
  • Matt Bruun, External Affairs
  • Heather Pellerin, Information Technology
  • Jessica Murdoch, Assistant VP of Human Resources
  • Mike Kushmerek, Alumni and Development
  • Jamie Roger, co-chair
  • Yashira Gonzalez, 2013
  • Mallory-Anne Perron, 2014

Committees Meeting Schedule

The NEASC Steering Committee will meet on the following dates. All meetings will take place in the President's Hall from 3:30 - 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Fall 2011

  • September 13, 2011
  • October 12, 2011
  • November 7, 2011, 2 - 3:30 p.m., President's Hall
  • November 21, 2011, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., President's Hall
  • December 5, 2011, 2 - 3:30 p.m., President's Hall
  • December 19, 2011, 2 - 3:30 p.m., President's Hall

Spring 2011

  • February 14, 2011
  • March 7, 2011
  • April 11, 2011
  • May 2, 2011 - Location: President's Conf. Room
  • May 9, 2011
  • May 16, 2011 - Location: Miller Oval
  • May 23, 2011 - 2 - 3:30 p.m., President's Hall
  • May 25, 2011 - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Location: President's Hall
  • June 15, 2011 - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Location: President's Hall
  • June 23, 2011 - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Location: President's Hall

Meeting Dates

  • 1/18/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., Percival 203
  • 1/25/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., President's Hall
  • 2/8/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., President's Hall
  • 2/22/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., President's Hall
  • 3/8/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., President's Hall
  • 3/22/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., President's Hall
  • 4/12/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., President's Hall
  • 4/26/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., President's Hall

Meeting Dates

  • 2/8/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., Miller Oval
  • 2/22/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., Percival 210
  • 3/8/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., Percival 210
  • 3/29/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., Percival 210
  • 5/3/2011, 2:30 - 5 p.m., Alumni A
  • 5/12/2011, 1 - 3 p.m., Alumni A
  • 5/19/2011, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Alumni A

Meeting Dates

  • 1/6/2011, 1 p.m., Sanders Conference Room (Standard 9)
  • 1/21/2011, 1 p.m., CTL (Standard 7)
  • 1/26/2011, 2:30 p.m., IT Conference Room (Standard 8)

Additional Information

Below is information to help you through the Self-Study process, such as NEASC due dates, links to NEASC Self-Study Guide and Standards for Accreditation.

Core Values

Accessibility

Offering equitable access to high-quality programs and services to people of varying cultural backgrounds living within and beyond our diverse community of North Central Massachusetts.

Affordability

Providing opportunities for students of varying socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue an affordable, quality education.

Community

Forging partnerships with businesses and community organizations within the region to enhance quality of life.

Enrichment

Sustaining a supportive campus environment for students, faculty, staff, and alumni in which all members can grow and excel in their personal and professional lives.

Excellence

Striving for excellence in academic programs and services through innovative teaching and professional practices.

Mission

Fitchburg State University is committed to excellence in teaching and learning and blends liberal arts and sciences and professional programs within a small college environment. Our comprehensive public university prepares students to lead, serve, and succeed by fostering lifelong learning and civic and global responsibility.

A Fitchburg State education extends beyond our classrooms to include residential, professional, and co-curricular opportunities. As a community resource, we provide leadership and support for the economic, environmental, social, and cultural needs of North Central Massachusetts and the Commonwealth.

Vision

Fitchburg State University will be nationally recognized for its excellence in teaching and learning in current and emergent fields, for its commitment to transforming lives through education, and for its dedication to public service.

In order to achieve this, we will:

  • Prepare students for a global society through curricular innovation and program development.
  • Achieve academic excellence by investing in our faculty and librarians in their pursuit of knowledge, professional competency, and scholarship.
  • Employ innovative uses of technology in the library and across our campus to maximize student learning.
  • Create a culture of diversity to meet the needs of the region and enhance the personal and academic lives of the university community.
  • Build partnerships within our community to provide real-world opportunities for our students and collaborative solutions to community issues.

Please join the AUC and NEASC Steering Committee members to discuss the draft document of the Self-Study on:

  • September 27 or 29, or October 3, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. in Randall Science Lecture Hall
  • The final copy of the NEASC Self-Study (PDF)

Fitchburg State University will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit March 4-7, 2012 by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. 

The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is one of seven accrediting commissions in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis.  Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole.  The Commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits approximately 240 institutions in the six-state New England region. 

Fitchburg State University has been accredited by the Commission since 1953 and was last reviewed in 2002. Its accreditation by the New England Association encompasses the entire institution.

For the past year and a half, Fitchburg State University has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation. An evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for the institution. Following a review process, the Commission itself will take the final action.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the institution to:

Public Comment on Fitchburg State University
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
209 Burlington Road, Suite 201
Bedford, MA 01730-1433
cihe@neasc.org

Public Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution.  The Commission cannot settle disputes between individuals and institutions, whether those involve faculty, students, administrators, or members of other groups.  Comments will not be treated as confidential and must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the comments.

Public Comments must be received by March 7, 2012.  The Commission cannot guarantee that comments received after that date will be considered. 

As many of you are aware, the campus is now working on the 5-year interim report for NEASC. Attached you will find a PowerPoint presentation with some background information, as well as a link to the NEASC site. More information will be posted on this site as the project progresses.

NEASC Interim Fifth Year Report

As part of the NEASC accreditation process, institutions are required to submit Interim Fifth Year Reports. These reports allow institutions to reflect on progress since their last comprehensive review which was 2012 for Fitchburg State. Fitchburg State’s Fifth Year Report is due in January 2017.

To facilitate the work to prepare this report, a 14 member committee was formed in January 2016. This page contains information relevant to the work to prepare this report. Questions and/or comments related to this work and the draft report may be sent to NEASC2016@fitchburgstate.edu.

  • Soumitra Basu, Assistant Professor, Industrial Technology
  • Jennifer Berg, Assistant Professor, Mathematics
  • Cathy Canney, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • Chris Cratsley, Director of Assessment
  • Christine Dee, Associate Professor, History
  • Sean Goodlett, Interim Dean of the Library and Student Support Centers
  • Aruna Krishnamurthy, Associate Professor, English Studies
  • Nadimpalli Mahadev, Professor, Computer Science
  • Pamela McCafferty, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Research and Planning
  • Mary Beth McKenzie, Assistant Vice President of Finance and Administration
  • Ben Railton, Associate Professor, English Studies
  • Renee Scapparone, Assistant Professor, Business Administration
  • Kisha Tracy, Professor, English Studies
  • Paul Weizer, Professor, Political Science
  • Anthony Wilcox, Director for Institutional Effectiveness and Research
DATE MILESTONE
December 2015
  • Review process plan and timelines with President
  • Review process plan and timelines with NEASC
  • Faculty union call for committee volunteers
  • Final draft of revised standards released
January 2016
  • Commission adopts the Standards
January 19th, 2016
  • Development Day: Discussion of Submission of 5 Year Report - Tala Khudairi, Vice-President of the Commission will speak
End of January 2016
  • Convene full team and begin work
May 23rd, 2016
  • Development Day; Update
Summer 2016
  • Committee works to prepare final draft
Fall 2016
  • New Standards Implemented
September 2016
  • Submit to AUC and Graduate Council for notification/comment
September 2016
  • Share draft with campus
October 2016
  • Share draft with NEASC for input
January 2017
  • Final report submitted to NEASC

Open Forums

  • Tuesday, September 27th, 3:30 - 5 p.m. - Presidents' Hall
  • Thursday, September 29th, 3:30 - 5 p.m. - Presidents' Hall

Resources