 
Committee Forms for
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The NCA Review Steering Committee was formed this summer and held its first meeting in July. Associate Provost Ellen Harshman said the committee consists of University representatives who are familiar with areas that will be reviewed, including academics, student life and financial issues.
"We wanted to keep the steering committee of manageable size with people who have connections with the areas that would be part of the self study," Harshman said.
Dr. Ronald Modras, professor of theological studies, is chairman of the committee. Other members are Dr. Bernhard Asen (associate professor of theological studies), Dr. Frances Benham (librarian, Pius XII Library), Jim Forst (associate vice president for development), Dr. James Gilsinan (dean, College of Public Service), Dr. Edwin Harris (associate provost), Harshman, Margaret Herning (associate professor of physical therapy), Kathy Humphrey (vice provost for student development), Donald Kennedy, M.D. (professor of internal medicine), Dr. Scott Safranski (chairman, department of management) and Mark Schmotzer (controller).
The Student Government Association will appoint a student representative to the committee in the coming weeks.
Modras said the committee will create a model of self-study for SLU in conjunction with NCA's emphasis on assessment.
"Accrediting agencies exist for the sake of quality control," Modras said. "There is a change taking place in the accreditation process, and it stresses not just minimum standards, but the mission and goals of a college. What are its values and goals, and how do they know that they are achieving their goals?
"Our committee will involve as many people as possible -- faculty, staff, students, administrators -- people across the entire spectrum of the University."
The committee will meet monthly and expects to complete a first draft of the self-study for review by the board of trustees in November 2001. Members of the steering committee will create broad-based subcommittees focusing on various aspects of teaching, student life and service resources, Modras said. Those subcommittees will be announced soon.
"Examination of conscience is an old tradition that Jesuits have done as a community since their beginning," Modras said. "This is calling us to do the same kind of thing, where we examine our behavior and ask if we are accomplishing what we say we are. It's a matter of truth in advertising."
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