Every 10 years, The George Washington University undergoes a reaffirmation of the University’s accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This accreditation is effectively the University’s license to operate. The Middles States Commission on Higher Education will evaluate the University’s compliance with fourteen standards established by the Commission.

As part of the evaluation, approximately 80 students, faculty, staff, and administrators have written a self-study that evaluates where the University stands in terms of meeting the standards and aspirations established by the Strategic Plan for Academic Excellence (SPAE). The SPAE was adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2002 and has been guiding many of the developments that have been occurring on campus over the past six years. The self-study is designed both to assist Middle States in its accreditation process and to provide further guidance to the University regarding changes that are needed on campus. A draft of the self-study, additional information about the accreditation process, and the Strategic Plan for Academic Excellence are available at http://www.gwu.edu/~gwaffirm. We urge you to explore this site.

On the site, we have established an opportunity for members of the GW community to reflect on the self-study. Alumni, students, faculty, staff, administrators, and friends of the University are encouraged to comment on the study and the accreditation process. Any comments that are submitted will be made available to the accreditation team that will visit campus, to the Middle States Steering Committee, and to the University’s administration. Comments may also be utilized as the self-study is revised. Comments can be made anonymously. Visit http://www.gwu.edu/~gwaffirm to review and comment on the self-study.

The accreditation process is an important opportunity for renewal. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to participate and to help guide the direction of GW over the next 10 years.