After 134 Years, AUB Seeks Accreditation

For the first time since its establishment in 1866, AUB has finally decided to seek accreditation. According to the Candidacy for Accreditation booklet, “Accredited status constitutes a statement to the general public that an institution has clearly defined and appropriated educational objectives; has etablished conditions under which their achievement can reasonably be expected; appears to be accomplishing its objectives substantially; and is so organized, staffed, and supported that it is expected to continue to do so.”

Last year, the Board of Trustees at AUB decided to follow through with the accreditation process in order for AUB, according to Elizabeth Vermey, a consultant on admissions, to “moniter itself and [to] articulate its goals” and to ensure “public recognition of high quality that will further help attract students around the world.”

Despite its lack of accreditation, AUB still holds an important form of authorization. As a private institution, the University currently operates under a charter from the State of New York and is licensed by the Lebanese government.

Dr. Waddah Nasr, associate provost, informed Outlook, “Our name and reputation are the best guarantee, and we’re very confident that this reputation will continue...but it’s no longer enough.”

Although AUB holds an important name in the Middle East, it was seriously affected by the Lebanese civil war, experiencing a loss of many students and teachers. The University needs to assure the public that its standards and policies have not changed and that it will continue to serve with academic excellence. “AUB’s reputation has been somewhat dimmed...now Lebanon is rebuilding itself, and seeking accreditation is part of that,” said Vermey.

Although accreditation involves an important process of self-examination and assessment known worldwide, Dr. Nasr stresses that AUB’s lack of accreditation does not affect its high educational standing. Many excellent institutions are not accredited, and similarly, many institutions with accreditation do not necessarily function well. Surprisingly, Harvard is not accredited, yet its standards prove to be among the best in the world.

Seeking accreditation is a long process that involves many steps and much serious work. The whole process will need at least three years to finish and every ten years, another process of accreditation takes place to ensure that the institution’s standards are being upheld and not abused.

In general, each institution seeking accreditation must demonstrate its eligibility to become a candidate by submitting a letter of intent containing all the necessary material about the university (including mission statements and evidence of degree-granting authority) to the executive director of the Commission of Higher Education of the American Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Having recently sent a letter of intent to the Commission of Higher Education, AUB is currently in a “pre-application for candidacy stage,” waiting for its admission to candidacy. After being admitted (which AUB hopes to be by next June), the University will then undergo a period of self-study involving evaluation by different committees and talks with students and faculty about the institution.

Accreditation takes place on different levels. The broadest level is at the institutional level and the second level is on the department level. AUB, which is not accredited as an institution, does however contain some units that are accredited. The School of Nursing, for example, is accredited, while the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture and the School of Business are still seeking accreditation.

Dr. Nasr is optimistic about the accreditation process and believes that the “outcome will be worthwhile.”

By Zeina El Halabi