College invites third-party comments as part of re-accreditation process
Dakota County Technical College will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit April 18–20, 2011, by a team representing The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2001, DCTC received HLC-NCA 10-year accreditation. The college is due for 10-year re-accreditation in 2011. The college’s accreditation is at the associate in science and associate of applied science degree levels.
The Higher Learning Commission is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. Accreditation is voluntary. The Commission accredits more than 1,000 institutions of higher education in a 19-state region. The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For the past two years, Dakota County Technical College has been engaged in an in-depth process of self-study, addressing the Commission’s requirements and criteria for accreditation. The 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 college; following a review process, the Commission itself will take the final action.
Public constituencies of DCTC are invited to submit comments regarding the college to the Higher Learning Commission. Public constituencies include:
- Students—prospective, current and former students/alumni
- Financial supporters—taxpayers, parents, general donors, churches, denominations
- The local community—government, civic groups, religious community, neighbors, area businesses, elementary/secondary schools, other postsecondary institutions
- The state or national community—state government, sponsoring corporations
- Others—contractual partners, employers of graduates, parties to articulation agreements, etc.
Learn more about the third-party comment process by visiting the following Web page:
Third-Party Comment on an Upcoming Visit
Comments can be submitted using an online form at the above Web page, or they can be sent to the following street address:
Public Comment on Dakota County Technical College
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Written, signed comments must be received by March 18, 2011. The Commission cannot guarantee that comments received after the due date will be considered. Comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the comments. Comments will not be treated as confidential.
Note: Individuals with a specific dispute or grievance with an institution should request the separate Policy on Complaints document from the Commission office. The Higher Learning Commission cannot settle disputes between institutions and individuals. Complaints will not be considered third party comment.
Higher Learning Commission Contact Information
- The Higher Learning Commission
- http://www.ncahlc.org/
- 800-621-7440 | 312-263-0456 | Fax: 312-263-7462 | info@hlcommission.org
For more information about the HLC-NCA 10-year re-accreditation process at DCTC, please contact:
- Kelly Murtaugh
- Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs | Co-Chair of the DCTC Self-Study Committee
- 651-423-8319
- Gayle Larson
- English Faculty | Co-Chair of the DCTC Self-Study Committee
- 651-423-8395
To learn more, you can also visit DCTC Institutional Accreditation, or read “Sustaining Excellence.”
