llli;HE Middle States Commission on Higher Education 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680. Tel: 267-284-5000. Fax: 215-662-5501 IEMSA www.msche.org November 21, 2014 Dr. Ricardo R. Fernandez President Lehman College of the City University of New York 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West Bronx, NY I 0468 N 09 Dear Dr. Fernandez: At its session on November 20, 2014, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education acted: To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2018-2019. Enclosed for your information is a copy ofthe Statement of Accreditation Status for your institution. The Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS) provides important basic information about the institution and its affiliation with the Commission, and it is made available to the public in the Directory of Members and Candidates on the Commission's website at www.msche.org. Accreditation applies to the institution as detailed in the SAS; institutional information is derived from data provided by the institution through annual reporting and from Commission actions. If any of the institutional information is incorrect, please contact the Commission as soon as possible. Please check to ensure that published references to your institution's accredited status (catalog, other publications, web page) include the full name, address, and telephone number ofthe accrediting agency. Further guidance is provided in the Commission's policy statement Advertising, Student Recruitment, and Representation ofAccredited Status. If the action for your institution includes preparation ofa progress report, monitoring report or supplemental report, please see our policy statement on Follow-up Reports and Visits. Both policies can be obtained from our website. Please be assured of the continuing interest of the Commission on Higher Education in the well-being of Lehman College of the City University of New York. If any further clarification is needed regarding the SAS or other items in this letter, please feel free to contact Dr. Tito Guen-ero, Vice President. Sincerely, Received: Office of the President 11/24/14 .,, :x N.. Signature: George A. Pruitt, Ph.D. George A. Pruitt, Ph.D. Chair c: Office of the Chancellor, City University ofNew York Central Administration The Middle Slates Commission on Higher Education accredits institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New .Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other locations abroad. I' C·f·l·E J\.IIDDLE STATES CO~U\USSION 0~ HIGHER EDt:CATION -3624 ~forket Strttt. Pbiladelphin. PA 19104-2680. l'cl: 267-284-~. Fax: lJS-662-5501 MS:\ M111tmn·h,•.or,: STATEMENT OF ACCREDITATION STATUS LEHMAN COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West Broµx, NY 10468 Phone: (718) 960-8000; Fax: (718) 584-1765 www.lehman.cuny.edu Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Ricardo R. F emandez, President _System: City University ofNew York Central Administration Mr. James B. Milliken, J.D., Chancellor 205 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017 Phone: (212) 794-5555; Fax: (212) 794-5590 INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION Enrollment 9886 Undergraduate; 2199 Graduate (Headcount): Control: Public Affiliation: Government-State Systems-None Carnegie Master's -Larger Programs Classification: Approved Degree Postsecondary Certificate (>= 2 years, < 4 years), Bachelor's, Levels: Postbaccalaureate Certificate, Master's; Distance Education Approved (Online RN to BS in Nursing) Programs: Accreditors Recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education: n/a Instructional Locations Branch Campuses: None Additional Locations: None Other Instructional Sites: CUNY on the Concourse, Bronx, NY. ACCREDITATION INFORMATION Status: Member since 1968 Last Reaffirmed: November 20, 2014 Most Recent Commission Action: November 20, 2014: To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2018-2019. Brief History Since Last Comprehensive Evaluation: June 25, 2009: To reaffirm accreditation. To request a monitoring report due by April 1, 2011, documenting evidence ofthe development and implementation of an organized and sustained assessment process to evaluate and improve student learning and institutional effectiveness, including evidence that (1) assessment results are used to improve planning, teaching, and learning (Standards 7 and 14), and (2) establishment ofmeasurable goals at the program and course levels (Standard 14). The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2014. June 23, 2011: To accept the monitoring report. To request a progress report due April 1, 2013 documenting evidence that assessment results are used to improve teaching and learning. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2014. May 1, 2012: To acknowledge receipt ofthe substantive change request and to include the online option for the RN to BS in Nursing degree within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2014. June 27, 2013: To accept the progress report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2014. Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2018 -2019 Next Periodic Review Report: 2024 Date Printed: November 21, 2014 DEFINITIONS Branch Campus -A location ofan institution that is geographically apart and independent ofthe main campus of the institution. The location is independent if the location: offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential; has its own faculty and administrative or supervisory organization; and has its own budgetary and hiring authority. Additional Location -A location, other than a branch campus, that is geographically apart from the main campus and at which the institution offers at least 50 percent ofan educational program. ANYA ("Approved but Not Yet Active") indicates that the location is included within the scope ofaccreditation but has not yet begun to offer courses. This designation is removed after the Commission receives notification that courses have begun at this location. Other Instructional Sites -A location, other than a branch campus or additional location, at which the institution offers one or more courses for credit. Distance Education Programs -Fully Approved, Approved (one program approved) or Not Approved indicates whether or not the institution has been approved to offer diploma/certificate/degree programs via distance education (programs for which students could meet 50% or more ofthe requirements of the program by taking distance education courses). Per the Commission's Substantive Change policy, Commission approval of the first two Distance Education programs is required to be "Fully Approved." If only one program is approved by the Commission, the specific name of the program will be listed in parentheses after "Approved." EXPLANATION OF COMMISSION ACTIONS An institution's accreditation continues unless it is explicitly withdrawn or the institution voluntarily allows its accreditation to lapse. In addition to reviewing the institution's accreditation status at least every 5 years, the Commission takes actions to approve substantive changes (such as a new degree or certificate level, opening or closing ofa geographical site, or a change ofownership) or when other events occur that require review for continued compliance. Any type ofreport or visit required by the Commission is reviewed and voted on by the Commission. Reports submitted for candidacy, self-study evaluation, periodic review or follow-up may be accepted, aclmowledged, or rejected. The Commission "Accepts" a report when its quality, thoroughness, and clarity are sufficient to respond to all ofthe Commission's concerns, without requiring additional information in order to assess the institution's status. The Commission "Documents receipt of' a letter or report when it addresses the Commission's concerns only partially because the letter or report had limited institutional responses to requested information, did not present evidence and analysis conducive to Commission review, were of insufficient quality, or necessitated extraordinary effort by the Commission's representatives and staff performing the review. Relevant reasons for not accepting the letter or report are noted in the action. The Commission may or may not require additional information"in order to assess the institution's status. The Commission "Rejects" a letter or report when its quality or substance are insufficient to respond appropriately to the Commission's concerns. The Commission requires the institution to resubmit the report and may request a visit at its discretion. These terms may be used for any action (reaffirm, postpone, warn, etc.). Types ofFollow-Up Reports: Accreditation Readiness Report (ARR): The institution prepares an initial Accreditation Readiness Report during the application phase and continually updates it throughout the candidacy process. It is for use both by the institution and the Commission to present and summarize documented evidence and analysis ofthe institution's current or potential compliance with the Commission's accreditation standards. Progress Report: The Commission needs assurance that the institution is carrying out activities that were planned or were being implemented at the time of a report or on-site visit. Monitoring Repo.rt: There is a potential for the institution to become non-compliant with MSCHE standards; issues are more complex or more numerous; or issues require a substantive, detailed report. A visit may or may not be required. Monitoring reports are required for non-compliance actions. Supplemental Information Report: This report is intended only to allow the institution to provide further information, not to give the institution time to formulate plans or initiate remedial action. This report is required when a decision is postponed. The Commission may request a supplemental information report at any time during the accreditation cycle. Commendations: Periodically, the Commission may include commendations to the institution within the action language. There are three commendations. More than one commendation may be given at the same time: To commend the institution for the quality of the (Self-Study or PRR] report. The document itself was notably well-written, honest, insightful, and/or useful. To commend the institution for the quality of its [Self-Study or PRR] process. The Self-Study process was notably inclusive. To recognize the institution's progress to date. This is recognition for institutions that had serious challenges or problems but have made significant progress. Affuming Actions Grant Candidate for Accreditation Status: This is a pre-accreditation status following a specified process for application and institutional self-study. For details about the application process, see the MSCHE publication, Becoming Accredited. The U.S. Department ofEducation labels Candidacy as "Pre-accreditation" and defines it as the status ofpublic recognition that an accrediting agency grants to an institution or program for a limited period of time that signifies the agency has determined that the institution or program is progressing toward accreditation but is not assured ofaccreditation) before the expiration of that limited period oftime. Upon a grant ofcandidate for accreditation status, the institution may be asked to submit additional Accreditation Readiness Reports until it is ready to initiate selfstudy. Grant Accreditation: The Commission has acted to grant accreditation to a Candidate institution and does not require the submission ofa written report prior to the next scheduled accreditation review in five years. Grant Accreditation and request a Progress Report or Monitoring Report: The Commission has acted to grant accreditation to a Candidate institution but requires the submission ofa written report prior to the next scheduled accreditation review to ensure that the institution is carrying out activities that were planned or were being implemented at the time ofthe report or on-site visit. Reaffirm Accreditation via SelfStudy or Periodic Review Report: The Commission has acted to reaffirm accreditation and does not require the submission ofa written report prior to the next scheduled accreditation review in five years. The action language may include recommendations to be addressed in the next Periodic Review Report or Self Study. Suggestions for improvement are given, but no written follow-up reporting is needed for compliance. Reaffirm Accreditation via Self Study or Periodic Review Report and request a Progress Report or Monitoring Report: The Commission has acted to reaffirm accreditation but requires the submission ofa written report prior to the next scheduled accreditation review to ensure that the institution is carrying out activities that were planned or were being implemented at the time of the report or on-site visit. Administrative Actions Continue Accreditation: A delay ofup to one year may be granted to ensure a current and accurate representation of the institution or in the event ofcircumstances beyond the institution's control (natural disaster, U.S. State Department travel warnings, etc.). The institution maintains its status with the Commission during this period. Procedural Actions Defer a decision on initial accreditation: The Candidate institution shows promise but the evaluation team has identified issues ofconcern and recommends that the institution be given a specified time period to address those concerns. Institutions may not stay in candidacy more than 5 years. Postpone a decision on {reaffirmation of) accreditation: The Commission has determined that there is insufficient information to substantiate institutional compliance with one or more standards. The Commission requests a supplemental information report. Voluntary Lapse ofAccreditation: The institution has allowed its accreditation to lapse by not completing required obligations. The institution is no longer a member of the Commission upon the determined date that accreditation will cease. Non-Compliance Actions Warning: A Warning indicates that an institution has been determined by the Commission not to meet one or more standards for accreditation. A follow-up report, called a monitoring report, is required to demonstrate that the institution has made appropriate improvements to bring itself into compliance. Probation: Probation indicates that an institution has been determined by the Commission not to meet one or more standards for accreditation and is an indication ofa serious concern on the part ofthe Commission regarding the level and/or scope ofnon-compliance issues related to the standards. The Commission will place an institution on Probation ifthe Commission is concerned about one or more ofthe following: 1. the adequacy of the education provided by the institution; 2. the institution's capacity to make appropriate improvements in a timely fashion; or 3. the institution's capacity to sustain itself in the long term. Probation is often, but need not always be, preceded by an action ofWarning or Postponement. Ifthe Commission had previously postponed a decision or placed the institution on W aming, the Commission may place the institution on Probation ifii determines that the institution has failed to address satisfactorily the Commission's concerns in the prior action ofpostponement or warning regarding compliance with Commission standards. This action is accompanied by a request for a monitoring report, and a special visit follows. Probation may, but need not always, precede an action of Show Cause. By federal regulation, the Commission must take immediate action to withdraw accreditation if an institution is out ofcompliance with accreditation standards for two years, unless the time is extended for good cause. Show Cause: An institution is asked to demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn. A written report from the institution (including a teach out plan) and a follow-up team visit are required. The institution has the opportunity to appear before the Commission when the Commission meets to consider the institution's Show Cause status. Show Cause may occur during or at the end ofthe two-year Probation period, or at any time the Commission determines that an institution must demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn (i.e. Probation is not a necessary precursor to Show Cause). Adverse Actions Withdrawal ofAccreditation: An institution's candidate or accredited status is withdrawn and with it, membership in the association. Ifthe institution appeals this action, its accreditation remains in effect until the appeal is completed. Denial of Accreditation: An institution is denied initial accreditation because it does not meet the Commission's requirements ofaffiliation or accreditation standards during the period allowed for candidacy. Ifthe institution appeals this action, its candidacy remains in effect until the appeal is completed. Appeal: The withdrawal or denial ofcandidacy or accreditation may be appealed. Institutions remain accredited ( or candidates for accreditation) during the period ofthe appeal. Other actions are described in the Commission policy, "Range ofCommission Actions on Accreditation."