FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas is seeking comments from the public about the university in preparation for its periodic evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting agency. The U of A will host a visit April 10-11 with a peer-review team representing the commission.

The University of Arkansas has been accredited by the commission since 1924, with its last reaffirmation of accreditation occurring in the academic year 2006-07. The reaccreditation team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Higher Learning Commission Criteria for Accreditation, and public comments will be a part of that review. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing.

Public comments should be submitted to:

Public Comment on University of Arkansas
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

or, online at the commission’s website: www.hlcommission.org/comment.

The deadline for making comments is March 10.

The Higher Learning Commission is a regional accreditation agency that is responsible for higher education institutions in 19 states, including Arkansas. Institutions are evaluated to be sure they meet all federal requirements and also that they meet specific criteria developed from a set of guiding educational values.

The commission uses third-party comments to give university stakeholders the opportunity to provide the evaluation team with their perspectives on the institution.

The comments are considered public and will be reviewed by both the evaluation team and university representatives before the evaluation visit. During the visit, the team will discuss any comments received with the institution, and will follow up on comments as necessary. The team will remark on the third-party comment process in the appropriate section of the team report. The Higher Learning Commission regards these third-party comments as an important part of the comprehensive evaluation visit process.

Further information about the reaccreditation process and purpose can be found in the initial news story about the Reaccreditation Team.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.