Timeline Reality Check
- Accreditation candidacy (DEAC or Middle States) cannot be achieved before end of 2026.
- The process requires a Candidacy Assessment Report (CAR), a site visit, and a commission meeting.
- Earliest possible candidacy status: March 2027 — and only if the CAR is near-perfect.
The Assessment Manual is the Foundation
- Matos described the Assessment Manual as the "Bible of the institution."
- It drives the strategic plan, which proves to accreditors that the institution meets its mission.
- The document took approximately 5 hours to draft; additional exhibits are being held back to avoid overwhelm.
- Both David and Dr. Avis have review assignments — but clarification is needed on which Appendix A applies.
Middle States is the Preferred Path
- Matos leaned toward Middle States over DEAC as the better long-term fit for this institution.
- The inquiry form will not be submitted until Ryan confirms the financial situation.
- The pre-applicant visit will likely take only half a day given the institution's small size.
Three Core Policies Being Drafted
- Curriculum Review Policy — assigned to Dr. Avis for review.
- Policy on Policies and Procedures
- Budget Process Policy
These replace full manuals (excessive for a 14-student institution) and will anchor the Assessment Manual and strategic plan.
Assessment Cycle Closure Required
- Both DEAC and Middle States require a closed assessment cycle with prior-year and current-year data.
- The August 1st deadline was set precisely to allow this cycle to close before the application is submitted.
- Inquiry form submitted online (Matos manages the login/portal access).
- Pre-applicant application submitted — Matos's team can assemble this in approximately one day.
- Part 1 of the application: ~3 documents (enrollment, programs, faculty, projected budget).
- Part 2 (eligibility requirements): ~6 items including retention, placement, and graduation rates.
- Initial fee covers the review fee and travel expenses for the visiting team.
- Site visit: estimated half-day for this institution due to its small size.
- Mock visit conducted by Matos's team (includes a Middle States evaluator) before each real visit.
| Who | What | When |
|---|---|---|
| David |
Study the Assessment Manual thoroughly
⚠️ CLARIFICATION NEEDED: Matos must confirm which Appendix A applies (DEAC or Middle States) before this review begins.
|
Week of May 12 |
| David |
Begin filling in Appendix A (even if incomplete)
⚠️ CLARIFICATION NEEDED: Same as above — which accreditation track does this Appendix A belong to?
|
Week of May 12 |
| Dr. Avis | Review the Curriculum Review Policy document | Week of May 12 |
| Matos | Confirm which Appendix A applies (DEAC or Middle States) | ASAP |
| Matos | Send Middle States inquiry form link | When ready |
| Matos | Finalize Budget Process Policy | This month |
| Matos | Add remaining exhibits to Assessment Manual | Ongoing |
| Matos | Share assessment circle/model graphic | Next meeting |
| All | Await Ryan's response on funding | Pending |
Decisions Made
- Middle States preferred over DEAC for long-term strategic fit.
- Policies will replace full manuals, given the institution's current size.
- No changes to the academic calendar until a new catalog and assessment cycle are in place.
- Curriculum Review Policy review is assigned to Dr. Avis, not David.
Open Questions
- Will Ryan approve the funding needed to proceed with the application?
- What will the final academic calendar look like for the upcoming year?
- When will Matos share the assessment circle/model graphic?
- Which Appendix A is being referenced — DEAC or Middle States? Must be confirmed by Matos.
Matos,
Thank you for sending over the Assessment Manual and Appendix A. I truly appreciate the time and effort you have put into this — it is clear this is a comprehensive and foundational document for the institution.
However, I want to respectfully address the expectation that I come fully prepared to discuss and complete this material by tomorrow, May 6th. I received these documents today, May 5th. A 24-hour turnaround to study, internalize, and begin responding to a document of this significance is not a realistic or reasonable expectation — and I want to be transparent about that rather than come to our meeting underprepared and do the process a disservice.
To engage with this properly — as it deserves — I am requesting that we allow at least one week from the date I received the documents before we reconvene to work through them in depth. This will allow me to give the Assessment Manual the attention it requires, begin working through Appendix A thoughtfully, and come to our next session as a more informed and productive partner in this process.
I am fully committed to this accreditation journey and want to do it right. Meeting a deadline that was set before I even had the materials is not the appropriate or professional way to approach this process.
Please let me know your availability for a meeting during the week of May 12th so we can reschedule accordingly.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards,
David Valdez
iNova