Accreditation as an Outcome of Research, Planning and Accountability : An Alternative Approach To Self-Study at the Community College of Denver / Tim Griffin and Others.

From fall 1985 to fall 1991, the enrollment mix at the Community College of Denver (CCD) has grown to reflect the diverse center city population that the college serves, including increases in the percentages of minorities and women. The changing CCD student body presents new challenges to the college's academic and student support programs. The transformation of the CCD student body has accentuated the need for accountability, particularly at the academic program level. At CCD, the outcome of the new need for accountability has not been a self-study for accreditation, but rather a proposed "special emphasis" study for accreditation. The special emphasis study will include an overview document, an accountability report, and planning documents. A steering committee will be drawn from the chairs or representatives of a number of councils and committees. The novelty of the special emphasis study is the focus on information management to make planning and accountability routine activities at the program level. The study will explore how to improve internal CCD operations and the fit among job performance, institutional goals, and institutional standards. In addition, the study will foster an effective institutional culture, which is closely linked to information management. To create an organizational culture that integrates research, planning, and accountability into continuous self-study at an operational level, college leaders must pay attention to their role as information managers. (JMC)

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