Middle States’ Team Visits handbook briefly addresses site team selection:

“Institutions may provide suggestions regarding evaluation team composition as part of their self-study design. Although the final decision about team membership remains with the Commission and its staff, the staff liaison will consider carefully the institution’s suggested team profile.” (Middle States’ Team Visits Handbook pg 15)

On Middle States’ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the question “How are evaluators chosen to serve?” is answered with: “Evaluators come from colleges and universities that are similar to the institution being evaluated, and they usually have expertise in the specific areas that will be the focus of an institution’s evaluation.”

In addressing the degree to which Middle States mandates site team members’ interaction with faculty and other constituency groups in the review process, the handbook provides a list of people the chair should meet with: “representatives of the institution’s governing board, key administrative officers; the self-study steering committee, and student and faculty representatives.”

We suggest that faculty and staff who are interested in serving on a site team first contact their faculty senate, which may have already been consulted by Middle States for candidates. Also, contact Middle States directly to express interest in serving on a site team.

As a higher education affiliate, it is important to have your views heard by members of the site team. If it is not an option for the site team to meet with a local union representative, then ask your administration and Middle States how to submit documentation to site team members for their review.