MSCHE Exhibits Guide

How to Use This Guide

For each exhibit, complete these steps in order:

Gather all required documents listed under What to Include
Compile into a single PDF (or Excel for data files) — do not submit loose documents
Name the file exactly as shown in the Suggested File Name
Place in the matching Exhibits\[Standard]\ folder
Update status in the Exhibits Index tab of the checklist to Ready
Upload to the MSCHE Evidence Inventory portal, referencing the exhibit number

Universal Rules

4-Year MinimumAll trend data, audits, and sample sets must span at least four years.

Disaggregate EverythingStudent and HR data must be broken down by race/ethnicity, gender, Pell, first-gen, full/part-time, online vs. on-campus.

Redact PIIRemove all personally identifiable information from student records before filing any exhibit.

Cross-Reference, Don't DuplicateOne document serving multiple standards: note all standards in the Notes column and upload once in the portal.

Date Every ExhibitInclude the date range covered on each document's cover page or in the file name.

No Loose EmailsEmail threads must be printed/exported to PDF with full headers (From, To, Date, Subject) visible.

Mission and Governance

Exhibits\1-Mission-and-Governance\

17 exhibits

▶

I-1

Mission Statement

I-1_Mission_Statement.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

The current, board-approved mission statement (full text)
Date of the most recent revision
Names and roles of all participants on the revision committee (faculty, staff, students, trustees)
Evidence of governing board approval — a board resolution, signed minutes excerpt, or formal vote record
At least one sample of how the mission is communicated publicly (URL screenshot or printed catalog page)

How to Complete It

Pull the official mission statement from the catalog, website, or board records
Find the board meeting minutes from the approval date — extract the relevant agenda item and vote
If the mission was revised in the last 4 years, attach the prior version and the revision committee membership list
Screenshot the public URL where the mission appears (e.g., website About page)
Compile all of the above into one PDF with a cover page labeled "Exhibit I-1"

Key Watch-Out

The evaluator will ask who was involved. If the revision committee was faculty-only or admin-only, that is a finding. Board approval must be documented — a verbal statement from the president is not sufficient.

I-2

Mission Communications to Internal Constituencies

I-2_Mission_Internal_Comms.pdf

Communication

▶

What to Include

4-year sample of communications that reference or promote the mission to internal audiences
Examples: new employee orientation slides, faculty handbook introduction, all-staff emails, strategic planning kickoff presentations, meeting agendas where mission was discussed

How to Complete It

Pull one or two samples per year for the past four years
Include date, audience, and format for each sample
Compile chronologically with a brief cover page index

Key Watch-Out

"Sample" means variety — don't submit four identical catalog pages. Show different formats and different audiences (faculty vs. staff vs. students).

I-3

Mission Communications to External Constituencies

I-3_Mission_External_Comms.pdf

Communication

▶

What to Include

4-year sample of external-facing documents that feature or reference the mission
Examples: admissions brochures, website screenshots, annual report to stakeholders, accreditation communications, community partner correspondence, press releases

How to Complete It

Collect dated samples — one or two per year, four years back
Print web pages to PDF with the URL and date visible in the browser header/footer
Index them chronologically on a cover page

Key Watch-Out

Evaluators will compare this to Exhibit I-1. If the external communication uses a shortened or paraphrased version of the mission, note that and explain how it relates to the full mission.

I-4

Strategic Plan with Mission Crosswalk

I-4_Strategic_Plan.pdf

Plan

▶

What to Include

Most recent strategic or institutional effectiveness plan (full document)
A crosswalk table showing how each institutional goal maps to a specific element of the mission statement
Evidence of broad participation in plan development (committee roster, survey results, meeting minutes)

How to Complete It

Obtain the signed/approved strategic plan document
Build a crosswalk table if one doesn't exist — two columns: Goal Name | Mission Element Supported
Include the plan approval date and who approved it (governing board vote preferred)
If the plan is being revised, include both the current and draft versions

Key Watch-Out

"Mission crosswalk" is frequently missing. If your strategic plan doesn't explicitly reference the mission in each goal, create a companion table that makes the link explicit before the visit.

I-5

4-Year Student Achievement Trend Data

I-5_Student_Achievement_Trend_Data.xlsx | Standards: I, IV

Data

▶

What to Include

Retention rates (1st-year, 2nd-year) — 4 years
Graduation rates: 100%, 150%, 200% of normal time — 4 years
Transfer rates — 4 years
Placement/employment rates — 4 years (if applicable to programs)
Student Achievement Measure (SAM) or Outcomes Measures (OM) data
All of the above disaggregated by: race/ethnicity, gender, Pell status, first-generation status, full-time vs. part-time, online vs. on-campus

How to Complete It

Pull from IPEDS data center — use the same cohort definitions across all years
Use separate tabs: one for each metric (Retention, Graduation, Transfer, Placement)
Add a Summary tab with year-over-year trends and a brief narrative of key findings
Highlight any populations with gaps >5 percentage points from the institution average
Include a note on your IPEDS methodology (cohort year, population included)

Key Watch-Out

This is the most scrutinized exhibit. Evaluators will look for gaps by population and ask what you did about them. Know your numbers before the visit and have a narrative ready for any declining trend.

I-6

DEI Goals Evidence

I-6_DEI_Goals_Evidence.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Specific DEI goals from the strategic plan (quoted verbatim)
Evidence of how DEI goals were developed (who was involved, what data was used)
Current metrics tied to each DEI goal and progress to date
Documentation of resources allocated to DEI initiatives (budget line or program descriptions)

How to Complete It

Extract DEI-specific goals from Exhibit I-4 (Strategic Plan)
For each goal, show the baseline, target, and current status
Include a one-page summary of how DEI principles are reflected in the mission language
Attach any DEI committee charters, initiative summaries, or annual reports

Key Watch-Out

Vague mission language ("we value diversity") is not enough. Evaluators want measurable DEI goals with data showing progress.

I-7

Student Headcount Data (Disaggregated)

I-7_Student_Headcount_Data.xlsx | Standards: I, IV, VI

Data

▶

What to Include

Fall enrollment, 12-month unduplicated headcount, and graduate enrollment
Disaggregated by: race/ethnicity, gender, age, Pell status, first-gen status, full/part-time, online vs. on-campus
4-year trend, same definitions each year
Source: IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey and IPEDS 12-Month Enrollment survey

How to Complete It

Download from IPEDS Data Center — use the "Survey Data" > "Fall Enrollment" and "12-Month Enrollment" sections
Build one Excel file with tabs for each year + a Trend Summary tab
Include IPEDS submission confirmation dates as a note on each tab

Key Watch-Out

Use IPEDS definitions consistently. If your institution reports non-IPEDS populations (e.g., professional development), document the methodology difference in a note cell.

I-8

HR Data (Disaggregated)

I-8_HR_Data.xlsx | Standards: I, II, VI

Data

▶

What to Include

Faculty headcount: full-time vs. part-time, rank, tenure status
Administrative/staff headcount
All disaggregated by race/ethnicity and gender
4-year trend
Source: IPEDS Human Resources survey (Fall Staff)

How to Complete It

Pull from IPEDS HR survey — 4 most recent fall submissions
Build one Excel file with a trend tab
Include student-to-faculty ratio for each year

Key Watch-Out

Part-time faculty numbers are closely reviewed in relation to Standard III. Be ready to explain the ratio of full-time to part-time and how program continuity is maintained.

I-9

Budget Alignment Samples (4-Year)

I-9_Budget_Alignment_Samples.pdf

Financial

▶

What to Include

4-year sample of budget requests or allocation decisions that explicitly reference strategic goals or mission
Examples: capital project approval memo, new program budget request, program expansion proposal
Does NOT need to be the entire budget — 3–5 representative samples across the 4 years is sufficient

How to Complete It

Locate budget request forms or decision memos from each of the past 4 fiscal years
Redact any salary-specific PII if necessary
Compile with a cover page explaining how each sample demonstrates mission-driven allocation

Key Watch-Out

If your budget process does not formally require mission/goal citation, this exhibit will be thin. Consider adding a goal-alignment field to next year's budget request template before the evaluation.

I-10

Expense Analysis (4-Year)

I-10_Expense_Analysis.xlsx

Financial

▶

What to Include

4-year expense breakdown: Instruction %, Student Services %, Academic Support %, Institutional Support %, Other
Source: IPEDS Finance survey (Education and General Expenditures)
Brief narrative noting how the expense distribution reflects institutional mission

How to Complete It

Pull from IPEDS Finance survey — 4 most recent fiscal years
Build a simple Excel table with % by function and year
Add a chart showing trend over 4 years
Note any significant shifts and explain them

Key Watch-Out

Instruction expenditure as a percentage of total E&G is a proxy for mission commitment. MSCHE will look for alignment between your mission emphasis (e.g., student success) and where money actually goes.

I-11

Mission Review Evidence

I-11_Mission_Review_Evidence.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Documentation that the mission is reviewed on a defined cycle
Evidence from the most recent review: committee meeting minutes, survey data, discussion records
Record of what the outcome was (mission confirmed as-is, or revised — with what changed)

How to Complete It

Identify the policy or procedure that governs mission review frequency
Pull meeting minutes or reports from the most recent review process
If mission was confirmed without change, document that explicitly — a board minute that says "the mission was reviewed and confirmed" is sufficient

Key Watch-Out

"We always look at the mission" is not documentation. There must be a paper trail showing a structured, periodic review with stakeholder involvement.

VII-4

Governing Documents (Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation)

VII-4_Governing_Documents.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Articles of Incorporation (or equivalent founding document)
Current Bylaws (most recently amended version with date)
Any operating provisions, charter, or founding legislative act
Evidence of legal registration in the state of incorporation

How to Complete It

Pull from Secretary of State filing records or from the board secretary
Confirm these are the current, operative versions — not a draft or superseded version
If bylaws have been amended, include both the current version and a log of amendments

VII-8

Board Meeting Minutes — 4-Year Sample

VII-8_Board_Meeting_Minutes.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Sample board meeting minutes spanning 4 years — full board and key committee minutes
Must show evidence of: policy review and approval, financial review, strategic direction decisions, CEO evaluation, academic program oversight

How to Complete It

Select 4–6 sets of minutes that demonstrate the full range of board authority
Redact any sensitive executive session content not relevant to accreditation
Include a cover page table: Date | Meeting Type | Key Actions/Decisions Documented

Key Watch-Out

If board minutes read as rubber-stamp sessions (all motions pass unanimously with no discussion documented), this raises governance questions. Some evidence of deliberation should appear in the record.

VII-10

Current Board Member List with CVs

VII-10_Board_Member_List.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Current roster of all governing board members
For each member: name, title, affiliated organization, board tenure, committee assignments, remuneration status, creditor/debtor status
Summary of independence (how many have no current employment, family, or financial relationship with the institution)
CVs or brief professional biographies for all members
COI disclosure status (signed within the current year)

How to Complete It

Build a summary table first (one row per member, all fields)
Attach CVs/bios as appendix
Note the aggregate independence percentage — MSCHE expects a majority to be independent

VII-15

CEO Appointment Documentation and CV

VII-15_CEO_Appointment.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Current CEO/President's CV or resume
Board resolution or minutes documenting appointment and effective date
Employment contract or letter of appointment (redact salary details if preferred)
Most recent presidential evaluation documentation
Leadership succession policy

How to Complete It

Pull the appointment resolution from board minutes
Obtain the current CV directly from the President
Include the most recent evaluation (summary only — full personnel file not required)
Pull the succession policy from the bylaws or board policies

VII-19

Administrative Org Chart and Senior Staff CVs

VII-19_Admin_Org_Chart.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Administrative org chart showing all senior positions (current as of evaluation year)
CVs/resumes for key administrators: Provost, CFO, VP Student Affairs, VP Enrollment
HR data disaggregated by relevant populations (IPEDS)
Evidence of regular administrator performance evaluation

How to Complete It

Update the org chart to current year
Gather CVs from each named administrator
Include a brief paragraph for each position explaining how credentials align with the role

VII-24

Governance Assessment Framework

VII-24_Governance_Assessment_Framework.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Documentation of UMF's process for evaluating governance, leadership, and administrative effectiveness
Most recent governance assessment results (survey, external review, or consultant report)
Evidence of follow-up on findings
Board self-evaluation process and most recent results

How to Complete It

If no formal governance assessment exists, schedule a board self-evaluation before the visit
Many institutions use AGB or ACCT board self-assessment instruments
Include results from faculty/staff surveys of administrative effectiveness if conducted
Document 1–2 concrete improvements made as a result of governance assessment

Ethics and Integrity

Exhibits\2-Ethics-and-Integrity\

12 exhibits

▶

II-1

Academic Freedom, IP Rights, and Copyright Policies

II-1_Academic_Freedom_Policies.pdf

Policy

▶

What to Include

Academic freedom policy (full text)
Intellectual freedom and freedom of expression policy
Intellectual property rights policy — who owns what faculty create
Copyright policy
URLs where these policies are publicly accessible
Last review/revision dates for each

How to Complete It

Collect all four policies from the Faculty Handbook and/or policy manual
Print with page numbers and last-revised dates visible
Screenshot and include all public URLs where these policies appear
If policies live in the catalog or employee handbook, cross-reference Exhibit III-4

Key Watch-Out

IP ownership policies for online course content are closely reviewed. If UMF owns the course content created by adjuncts, document that agreement clearly. Ambiguity here can become a finding.

II-3

Campus Climate Survey

II-3_Campus_Climate_Survey.pdf

Survey

▶

What to Include

Survey instrument (questionnaire)
Summary of results from the most recent administration
Trend data if administered more than once in 4 years
Documentation of how results were communicated to stakeholders
Evidence of at least one action taken in response to findings

How to Complete It

If no formal climate survey has been done, this is a gap — note it as "Missing" in the checklist and begin planning a survey immediately
If using a third-party instrument (e.g., HEDS, Noel-Levitz), include the instrument name and validation documentation
Prepare a one-page summary of key findings and the institutional response
Include faculty and staff survey data separately from student survey data if conducted separately

Key Watch-Out

Conducting a survey and doing nothing with results is a finding. You must show a response — even acknowledging a finding and creating a task force counts as a response if documented.

II-5

Student Grievance Policy

II-5_Student_Grievance_Policy.pdf

Policy

▶

What to Include

Full text of the student grievance/complaint policy with public URL
Information on how students file a complaint with MSCHE (msche.org/contact)
Information on how students file a complaint with the state licensing authority (URL)
Reference to the Student Handbook location

How to Complete It

Pull the policy from the Student Handbook or policy manual
Print the policy and include the URL at the top
Add a second page with the MSCHE and state agency complaint URLs (print the web pages)
Note the last revision date

Key Watch-Out

Federal regulations (34 CFR §668.43) require students be informed of their right to file complaints with the accreditor and state. If these URLs are not published somewhere visible to students, this is a compliance finding, not just a documentation gap.

II-6

Faculty / Staff Grievance Policy

II-6_Faculty_Staff_Grievance_Policy.pdf

Policy

▶

What to Include

Full faculty grievance procedure
Full staff grievance procedure (may be separate)
URLs or handbook locations
Last revision date

How to Complete It

Pull from the Faculty Handbook and Employee Handbook
Include grievance timelines (how many days to respond at each step)
Note if an ombudsperson or neutral third party is part of the process

II-7

Complaint Records — 4-Year Log

II-7_Complaint_Records.xlsx

Record

▶

What to Include

Log of all student complaints and faculty/staff grievances over the past 4 years
For each: date filed, category, resolution date, outcome
Redact all PII (names, student IDs — use codes: Student A, Faculty B)
Summary statistics: total complaints per year, average resolution time, % resolved in favor of complainant

How to Complete It

Build in Excel with separate tabs for Student Complaints and Faculty/Staff Grievances
Add a Summary tab with year-over-year statistics
Calculate average days to resolution — this is a metric evaluators often ask about

Key Watch-Out

If there are zero complaints in 4 years, evaluators will be skeptical — this usually means complaints aren't being formally logged. Document your logging process in a note cell.

II-8

Conflict of Interest Policy

II-8_COI_Policy.pdf | Standards: II, VII

Policy

▶

What to Include

Full COI policy covering board, senior administration, and staff levels
Process for annual disclosure and for recusal when a conflict exists
Last revision date and who is covered (scope)

How to Complete It

Pull from governance manual, employee handbook, or board policies
Include the scope — who is covered (board members, executives, faculty, all staff?)
Note if there is an annual certification requirement

II-10

Employee Handbook

II-10_Employee_Handbook.pdf

Policy

▶

What to Include

Full employee handbook — current version with effective date on cover
Must contain: hiring criteria, evaluation process, promotion criteria, separation procedures
Evidence the handbook was distributed to staff (distribution notice or acknowledgment form)

How to Complete It

Pull the current handbook and verify it is the version actually in use
If outdated (>2 years since last revision), update before the visit
Include a table of contents so evaluators can navigate quickly

Key Watch-Out

Hiring criteria that don't reference qualifications or credentials will be flagged under Standard III as well. The handbook and faculty qualifications policies must be consistent.

II-12

Marketing and Admissions Materials — 4-Year Sample

II-12_Marketing_Samples.pdf | Standards: II, IV

Communication

▶

What to Include

4-year sample of marketing, advertising, and admissions recruiting materials
Examples: brochures, email campaigns, social media ads, website screenshots, view books, financial aid award letters
One or two samples per year across different audiences and channels

How to Complete It

Gather physical/printed materials from admissions and marketing offices
Screenshot digital materials with the date visible
Compile chronologically with a brief index

Key Watch-Out

Any outcome statistics in marketing materials (e.g., "95% of graduates are employed within 6 months") must be backed up by actual data in Exhibit I-5 or IV-16. If data in marketing doesn't match your actual placement data, this is an ethics finding.

II-15

Affordability and Financial Aid Public Disclosures

II-15_Affordability_Disclosures.pdf | Standards: II, IV

Document

▶

What to Include

Screenshot of the public web page with cost of attendance
Net Price Calculator URL (required by federal law)
Withdrawal policy and refund schedule (URL)
3-year cohort default rate (current and 2 prior years)
Percentage of students with federal loans
Average student loan indebtedness at graduation
Pell Grant recipient percentage

How to Complete It

Print all URLs to PDF with date visible
Pull CDR data from the USDE CDR database (studentaid.gov)
Pull loan indebtedness and Pell data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey

II-17

Accreditation Status Disclosures

II-17_Accreditation_Status_Disclosures.pdf | Standards: II, VI

Document

▶

What to Include

Screenshot of public-facing page showing MSCHE accreditation status and SAS
Link to MSCHE's institutional profile page for UMF
Disclosure of any other accreditation or licensing body standing
Date of last SAS update

How to Complete It

Go to msche.org, find UMF's listing, and print to PDF
Screenshot UMF's own website where accreditation is disclosed
Confirm both match (same status, same dates)

Key Watch-Out

If MSCHE's website and UMF's website say different things, that is an immediate finding. Verify before the visit.

II-18

Degree-Granting Authority Documentation

II-18_DGA_Documentation.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

State authorization/license to grant degrees
Documentation for all states where students are enrolled (distance education state authorization)
Any current exemptions or reciprocity agreements (e.g., SARA membership)

How to Complete It

Pull the current state authorization letter from the state licensing agency
If UMF participates in SARA, include the SARA approval documentation
If you have students in non-SARA states, document each state's authorization separately

II-20

Student Identity Verification Policy (Distance Ed)

II-20_Student_ID_Verification_Policy.pdf | Standards: II, III

Policy

▶

What to Include

Written policy for verifying that the enrolled student is the person doing the work
Description of the technology or process used (login credentials, proctoring software, biometrics, etc.)
Statement that any additional fees for verification are disclosed to students at enrollment

How to Complete It

Pull from the distance education policy or academic integrity policy
Include the name and version of any proctoring software used
Confirm the fee disclosure statement appears in enrollment materials

Key Watch-Out

34 CFR §602.17 specifically requires a written policy and that any fees for identity verification are disclosed before enrollment. Both elements must be documented here.

Design, Delivery, and Assessment of the Student Learning Experience

Exhibits\3-Design-Delivery-Assessment\

16 exhibits

▶

III-1

Credit Hour Policy

III-1_Credit_Hour_Policy.pdf

Policy

▶

What to Include

Written definition of a credit hour as used by UMF
How the definition is applied to: lecture, lab, online, hybrid, accelerated, competency-based, experiential
The approval process for new courses (who reviews credit hour assignments)
Public URL where the policy is disclosed
Federal regulation reference: 34 CFR §668.8(k)/(l)

How to Complete It

Pull from the academic affairs policy manual or course approval procedures
If the policy doesn't explicitly address online/distance courses, add a distance ed supplement before the visit
Confirm the policy URL is live and current
Include 2–3 examples showing how the formula is applied to actual courses (e.g., 3-credit online = X hours instruction + X hours outside work × 15 weeks)

Key Watch-Out

This is one of MSCHE's most scrutinized compliance items. Vague language like "follows the Carnegie Unit" without showing how that applies to online courses is a finding. Be specific about online credit hour calculation.

III-3

Sample Syllabi

III-3_Sample_Syllabi.pdf | Standards: III, IV

Document

▶

What to Include

Representative syllabi from the past 4 years (minimum 8–10, spanning programs, levels, and modalities)
For each: course name, credit hours, instructor qualifications summary, SLOs, assessment methods, grading policy, course schedule

How to Complete It

Select syllabi spanning multiple programs (CIS, HMA, MBA), both on-campus and online, both upper and lower division
Verify each syllabus shows credit hour load consistent with the credit hour policy (Exhibit III-1)
Compile into one PDF with a cover page index

III-5

Faculty Qualifications Table

III-5_Faculty_Qualifications.xlsx | Standards: III, VII

Data

▶

What to Include

All instructional faculty (full-time and part-time)
For each: ID/Name, Highest Degree, Field of Degree, Courses Teaching, FT/PT, Employment Type
Summary statistics: % terminal degrees, student-to-faculty ratio, FTE counts

How to Complete It

Build in Excel — one row per faculty member
Add a Summary tab with aggregate statistics
Verify all courses are taught by faculty meeting qualification standards in Exhibit III-4
Flag any exceptions and document the rationale (dean approval, exceptional practitioner experience)

Key Watch-Out

If courses are taught by instructors whose degrees are in unrelated fields, document the rationale. MSCHE applies the "18 graduate credit hours in the discipline" standard for undergraduate teaching.

III-12

Academic Catalog

III-12_Academic_Catalog.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Screenshot or PDF of the academic catalog URL (date visible)
Must include: all degree programs, full degree requirements, expected time to completion, tuition and fees, academic policies, transfer credit policies
Catalog review and update cycle documentation

How to Complete It

Print the catalog home page to PDF with the URL and date visible
Navigate to and print key sections: Program Requirements, Academic Policies, Financial Information
Include the date the catalog was last updated

Key Watch-Out

If information in the catalog doesn't match what's in other exhibits (e.g., different program requirements), this creates credibility issues. Audit the catalog against current program offerings before the visit.

III-20

Distance Education Policies

III-20_Distance_Ed_Policies.pdf

Policy

▶

What to Include

Definition of distance education as used by UMF
Faculty qualification requirements specifically for online instruction
Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) requirements and how they are verified
Student identity verification policy (cross-ref Exhibit II-20)
Quality assurance process for online course design
Student access to library, advising, tutoring, and tech support for distance learners
IPEDS distance education headcount

How to Complete It

Consolidate all distance ed policies into one document
Address each required element explicitly — evaluators use a checklist
Include evidence that RSI requirements are monitored (LMS activity logs, instructor feedback reports)
Pull distance education headcount from IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey

Key Watch-Out

"Regular and substantive interaction" is a federal requirement (34 CFR §600.2). Online courses that are purely self-paced with no instructor interaction do not qualify for Title IV. This must be explicitly addressed.

V-1

SLO Matrix

V-1_SLO_Matrix.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Institution-wide student learning outcomes (ILOs) — full list
Program-level learning outcomes (PLOs) for each program
A matrix showing which PLOs map to which ILOs
Explanation of how students encounter ILOs (through gen ed) and PLOs (through the major)

How to Complete It

Build a two-dimensional matrix: Programs as rows, ILOs as columns, with PLOs noted in cells
If this doesn't exist yet, this is a critical gap — create it before the visit
Include the faculty governance process by which outcomes were approved

V-4

Institutional Assessment Plan

V-4_Assessment_Plan.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Written assessment plan: who is responsible, what is assessed, how often, using what methods, and how results are communicated and used
Assessment calendar
Description of both direct (exams, portfolios, capstones) and indirect (surveys, focus groups) measures
Governance: who reviews results and has authority to act on them

How to Complete It

If no written plan exists, this is the highest-priority gap for Standard V
The plan should cover both institutional-level and program-level assessment
Include the most recent annual review of the plan itself

V-7

Disaggregated Assessment Results (4-Year)

V-7_Disaggregated_Assessment_Results.xlsx | Standards: I, IV, V

Data

▶

What to Include

4-year student achievement data disaggregated by all relevant populations
Learning outcome attainment data disaggregated by population (where data exists)
Post-completion job placement rates by program (last 4 years)
Evidence that faculty review disaggregated results, not just aggregate numbers

How to Complete It

Build one Excel file: tabs for achievement, attainment, and placement
Add a Summary tab with a gap analysis table: population | gap | intervention | outcome

Key Watch-Out

If your placement rate data is thin or inconsistently collected, this will be a finding. Begin building a systematic alumni survey process now if you don't have one.

Support of the Student Experience

Exhibits\4-Support-of-Student-Experience\

9 exhibits

▶

IV-5

Student Handbook

IV-5_Student_Handbook.pdf

Document

▶

What to Include

Current student handbook (full document) with version date on cover
Must include: academic policies, code of conduct, grievance procedures, financial aid information, student rights, disability services, safety and emergency procedures

How to Complete It

Confirm this is the version currently distributed to students
If online-only: print to PDF with URL and date visible
Include evidence of how students receive or access the handbook (email, orientation, LMS)

IV-13

Disaggregated Student Achievement Data

IV-13_Disaggregated_Achievement_Data.xlsx | Standards: I, IV

Data

▶

What to Include

Enrollment profile disaggregated by relevant populations
4-year retention and graduation data disaggregated by all MSCHE-required populations
Transfer and completion data by program (IPEDS Completions survey)
Placement rates by program

How to Complete It

Cross-reference with Exhibit I-5 — focus this exhibit on how data drives student services improvements
Include a summary table: population, gap identified, intervention, outcome

IV-17

Transfer Credit Policy and Articulation Agreements

IV-17_Transfer_Credit_Policy.pdf

Policy

▶

What to Include

Full transfer credit evaluation policy
Criteria for awarding transfer credit (course equivalency, minimum grade, age of credit)
Prior learning assessment and competency-based credit policies (if applicable)
List of articulation agreements with partner institutions
Public URL for policy disclosure and IPEDS transfer data

How to Complete It

Pull the policy from the catalog and confirm it matches registrar's actual procedures
Obtain the current articulation agreement list from the Registrar
Pull transfer data from IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey

IV-21

FERPA and Student Records Policy

IV-21_FERPA_Student_Records_Policy.pdf

Policy

▶

What to Include

FERPA annual notification to students (required annually)
Student records retention schedule
Procedure for student requests to access or amend records
Procedure for releasing records to third parties
Description of the records management system and access controls
Evidence of staff training on FERPA compliance

How to Complete It

Pull the annual FERPA notification from student communications records
Include the records retention schedule approved by the institution
Document the system used (e.g., Populi/Moodle) and who has access at what level

Key Watch-Out

FERPA compliance is a federal requirement. If UMF has had any FERPA complaints or investigations, document the resolution. Note: see the FERPA investigation in /Investigation/ for relevant context.

Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement

Exhibits\5-Planning-Resources-Improvement\

10 exhibits

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VI-18

Financial Ratios Analysis (4-Year)

VI-18_Financial_Ratios_Analysis.xlsx

Financial

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What to Include

4-year calculation of: Primary Reserve Ratio (benchmark >0.40), Net Operating Revenue Ratio, Return on Net Assets, Viability Ratio, Composite Financial Index (CFI)
Tuition discount rate and instructional expense per credit hour or student FTE
Source: audited financial statements

How to Complete It

Build in Excel using audited financial statement figures
Add a chart showing each ratio over 4 years with the benchmark line
Include a brief narrative for any ratio below benchmark
CFI calculation follows NACUBO methodology — include the formula used

VI-20

Annual Financial Audits (4 Most Recent)

VI-20_Financial_Audits.pdf

Financial

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What to Include

Complete audited financial statements for the 4 most recent fiscal years
Management letter (auditor's communication to management) for each year
Evidence of governing board review of each audit (finance/audit committee minutes)
Documentation of institutional response to any management letter findings

How to Complete It

Pull from the CFO — must be independent CPA firm audits
Compile all 4 years in one PDF, newest first
If any audit contained findings, include the institutional corrective action plan and evidence of resolution

Key Watch-Out

Any qualified opinion, going concern language, or material weakness is a serious compliance issue. Know exactly what your audits say before the visit and have a full explanation ready.

VI-30

Title IV Compliance Documentation

VI-30_Title_IV_Compliance.pdf | Standards: II, VI

Document

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What to Include

Program Participation Agreement (PPA) — most recent version
Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS) — current
ECAR (Eligibility and Certification Approval Report)
3-year cohort default rate for all 3 most recent years
Financial responsibility composite score (most recent)
Single Audit report if UMF expends >$750,000 in federal awards
Any USDE correspondence regarding compliance or program reviews
If on HCM: full documentation and corrective action plan

How to Complete It

Pull PPA, SAS, and ECAR from the Financial Aid office
Pull CDR from studentaid.gov
Pull composite score from USDE FISAP/eZ-Audit portal
If Single Audit is required, include the most recent with management letter

Priority Order — What to Complete First

Priority	Exhibits	Why
CRITICAL	I-5, VI-20, VI-18, VII-8	Most scrutinized; require 4-year data; high lead time to compile
CRITICAL	II-7, II-17, VI-30	Federal compliance; must be current and exactly accurate
HIGH	V-1, V-3, V-4, V-5	Assessment infrastructure — if these don't exist in writing, Standard V collapses
HIGH	III-1, III-5, III-20	Credit hour, faculty qualifications, distance ed — frequent finding areas
MEDIUM	All remaining exhibits	Fill in once Critical and High exhibits are complete
FILL LAST	I-2, I-3, II-12, II-13	Sample/communications exhibits — less time-intensive, good for last 2 weeks

Next Steps

Step	Action	Who
1	Open `MSCHE_Accreditation_Checklist.xlsx` → Exhibits Index tab	Accreditation POC
2	Set status to In Progress as you begin each exhibit	All Standard Owners
3	Use this guide to gather required documents	Standard Owners
4	File completed exhibits in `Exhibits\[Standard]\` with exact file names	All
5	Set status to Ready in the Exhibits Index once filed and reviewed	Accreditation POC
6	Upload to MSCHE Evidence Inventory portal	Accreditation POC
7	Verify Dashboard COUNTIF readiness percentages update correctly	Accreditation POC
8	Use the Response Guide column in each Std tab to prepare oral responses	All Standard Owners

Source: MSCHE Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation, 15th Edition; Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines (effective July 1, 2026) · Paired with: MSCHE_Accreditation_Checklist.xlsx (Exhibits Index tab) · Last Updated: May 2026