7/10/12

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has reaffirmed the accreditation of Delaware State University for demonstrating that it continues to consistently meet the standards of excellence expected of universities

The reaffirmation – through which DSU’s accreditation will be ensured through 2022 (the next scheduled evaluation year) – comes after a team of evaluators representing MSCHE reviewed the University’s Self-Study Report and visited the DSU campus April 1-4.

The team concluded its visit with its findings that DSU meets all 14 of the following Commission standards: Mission and Goals; Planning, Resource Allocation, and Institutional Renewal; Institutional Resources; Leadership and Governance; Administration; Integrity; Institutional Assessment; Student Admissions and Retention; Student Support Services; Faculty; Educational Offerings; General Education; Related Educational Activities; and Assessment of Student Learning.

The evaluation team especially commended DSU for:

• Its institutional-wide focus on assessment to help in creating effectiveness in each area of DSU’s educational enterprise.
• The University’s focus on encouraging undergraduate research opportunities between faculty and students.
• The increase in the E-Books holdings (exceeding 16,280 in the last five years) in the University’s William C. Jason Library.
• The University’s thoughtful and robust program in assessing the outcomes of student learning.
• The DSU Self-Study Report, which was found to be honest, concise and well-written.

In addition, the MSCHE also commended DSU for its progress to date, for the quality of its self-study report process, and for the quality of its self-study report.

 “The reaffirmation of the University’s accreditation, with commendations, by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education underscores the quality, relevance and vitality of all of our programs,” said DSU President Harry L. Williams. “It ensures that our programs adhere to our land-grant mission and national standards of excellence that range from leadership and governance to faculty competence and educational offerings.”

Dr. Alton Thompson, DSU provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said the reaffirmed accreditation is a testament to the diligent work and commitment of the University’s faculty and staff.   

“Accreditation is a key indicator of academic quality and is an external and objective measure of accountability and stewardship,” Dr. Thompson said.  “Maintaining our accreditation will be an ongoing process and will serve as a benchmark as the University continues to expand its enrollment, facilities, academic programs and strategic initiatives in the pursuit of continuing excellence.”

The team also noted more than 40 accomplishments since DSU’s previous reaffirmed accreditation in 2002, among which included:

• The revision of DSU’s mission statement, vision statement and core values, which all build upon the University’s history while positioning it to take a leadership role in higher education in the state, the nation and internationally.
• The creation of the DSU Foundation to support fundraising efforts.
• The University’s reaffirmation of an A+ credit rating from Standard and Poor’s, the top national credit rating agency.
• The restructuring of the DSU finance area to improve financial reporting and fiscal management.
• The University’s transparent, collaborative, collegial and shared governance structure and leadership, through which DSU enjoys widespread support of alumni, the Dover community, state officials and its Congressional delegation.
• The establishment of a Scholarship Leveraging Team that enables DSU to strategically use merit-based scholarships to attract top-tier students as well as assist students with need-based aid, resulting in an increase in enrollment and retention.

Delaware State University received its first in accreditation in 1945 from Middle States when the institution was known as the State College for Colored Students. State legislation in 1947 changed the institution’s name to Delaware State College, and then to Delaware State University in 1993.

Among the country’s 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, DSU is ranked 15^th in the 2012 rankings by the U.S. News & World Report.

In 2011, DSU had a school-record enrollment of 4,178 students. The institution has more than 200 faculty members, as well as about 300 executive managers and staff members.

In addition to its main campus in the state capital of Dover, the University also maintains satellite sites in Wilmington and Georgetown.