MSCHE/ACOE Self Study

An important vehicle for communication is the monthly College electronic newsletter FY EYE. This newsletter reinforces the College’s strategic priorities and progress with respect to these priorities while also informing the community of institutional and faculty/staff/student accomplishments and building a sense of community. Copies of FY EYE are archived on the College’s Web site at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs059/1101825906496/archive/110191578424 8.html. To encourage greater faculty participation in the College governance, Dr. Heath encouraged the Faculty to reorganize its committee structure so that certain key committees are elected from and by members of the Faculty. Previous to this restructuring, only two committees (Committee on Professional Qualifications and Faculty Executive Committee) were elected by faculty members. Faculty Bylaws that describe the composition of the various College committees and their charges can be found at http://www.sunyopt.edu/faculty/hb/bylaws.html or in Appendix C-5. The response to changes in the faculty committee structure and the opportunities it provides for meaningful input has been very positive. The number of faculty members attending Faculty Meetings has increased substantially. Elections for committee positions are competitive, with multiple candidates often vying for an opening. The president and dean meet periodically with the Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) and make themselves available as needed. Agenda items may be put forth by FEC or the president. To keep the College community abreast of University and College developments, the president holds College meetings open to all faculty and staff three or four times per year. At these meetings, vice presidents and other administrators report on their areas. The fall meeting is reserved for the president to make his State of the College Report to the community. 4.2 The institution is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, reaffirmed the accreditation of SUNY State College of Optometry at its June 25-26, 2003 session. A copy of the institutional accreditation letter from MSCHE, dated July 1, 2003 is attached (Appendix D-10). Accreditation status can also be found on the MSCHE Web site (http://www.msche.org/Institutions_Directory.asp).

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