Self-Study Design

This self-study design document outlines how Vassar College will conduct its 2027–28 Middle States reaccreditation process. It defines institutional priorities, establishes lines of inquiry, and describes the structure through which evidence will be gathered, analyzed, and presented.

This document serves as the framework for the full self-study and guides the work of the steering committee and seven working groups.

Standards Alignment

Vassar’s self-study is organized around the seven Middle States Commission on Higher Education standards. The alignment below maps each MSCHE standard to the College’s institutional priorities — this crosswalk ensures that the self-study not only demonstrates compliance but also advances institutional goals.

• Standard I
  Mission and Goals
  Building and articulating the value of a Vassar education; Continually evaluating and improving the rigor, coherence, dynamism, and creativity of the curriculum.
• Standard II
  Ethics and Integrity
  Building an inclusive community where everyone feels valued and supported.
• Standard III
  Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
  Continually evaluating and improving the rigor, coherence, dynamism, and creativity of the curriculum.
• Standard IV
  Support of the Student Experience
  Building an inclusive community; Creating forms of connection and engagement locally and globally.
• Standard V
  Educational Effectiveness Assessment
  Leveraging assessment results for continuous improvement and innovation.
• Standard VI
  Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement
  Stewarding financial assets, facilities, and infrastructure for future generations.
• Standard VII
  Governance, Leadership, and Administration
  Transparent decision-making; institutional effectiveness; strategic planning alignment.