Worcester Polytechnic Institute will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit this fall by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The public is invited to submit comments about WPI until March 21, 2012.
The commission is one of eight nationwide that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. It accredits about 200 institutions in New England. The commission team will visit WPI between March 18 and March 21 and recommend to the full commission whether to continue the university's accreditation; after the review, the commission itself will take the final action. Seeking accreditation is voluntary.
WPI has been accredited by the commission since 1937 and was last reviewed in 2001. NEASC accreditation covers the entire institution.
For more than a year, WPI has been engaged in a self-study, addressing the commission's standards for accreditation. The evaluation team will gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate.
The public is invited to submit written comments on substantive matters relating to the quality of the university or its academic programs. Written, signed comments must be received by March 21, 2012, and should include the name, address, and phone number of the person submitting comments. They should be sent to Public Comments on Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, 209 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA 01730-1433, or via email to cihe@neasc.org.
