HLC Comprehensive Review for Reaffirmation
Comprehensive Evaluation
The University of Illinois prepared for its comprehensive review and on-campus evaluation site visit scheduled for March 2024. Components of the comprehensive evaluation included:
1. The Assurance Review
As part of the Assurance Review, UIC submitted an assurance argument along with supporting materials of evidence, to demonstrate its compliance with HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. The peer reviewer team conducting the comprehensive evaluation reviewed these materials in preparation for the on-site visit on March 11 and 12, 2024.
2. Federal Compliance Review
UIC submitted a federal compliance filing demonstrating institutional compliance with our Title IV program responsibility, as well as complying with the expectations of specific federal regulations to remain eligible for federal financial aid and to maintain quality assurance as a requirement for accreditation by the HLC. The eight areas covered under federal compliance include 1) assignment of credits, program length and tuition, 2) institutional mechanisms for handling student complaints, 3) publication of transfer policies, 4) practices for verification of student identity, 5) protection of student privacy, 6) publication of student outcome data, 7) standing with state and other accreditors, and 8) recruiting, admissions and related institutional practices.
3. Student Opinion Survey
UIC staff coordinated the deployment of the on line student survey by HLC two months prior to the site visit. The survey was intended to give students the opportunity to participate in the evaluation process, and to help identify questions for the peer reviewers to ask while on site.
4. On-site Peer Review Visit
The on-site visit occurred after the peer review team reviewed UIC’s reports and student survey results. Our on-site visit was held March 11 and 12, 2024. During the visit, the peer review team visited the Chicago campus and one or more branch campuses, met with the institution’s leadership, and board, and attended open forums with faculty, staff, and students.
5. Multi-campus Visit
UIC submitted a report that addressed each campus being reviewed and any additional locations included in the review. Peer reviewers visited a sampling of UIC’s branch campuses to ascertain the quality of the branch campuses, in relation to the accreditation criteria and federal compliance requirements.