WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit Oct. 22–25 by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. 

 

The commission is one of seven accrediting commissions in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole.

 

Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education accredits approximately 240 institutions in the six-state New England region. Williams was last reviewed in 2008. Its accreditation encompasses the entire institution.

 

For the past year and a half, Williams has been engaged in a process of self-study addressing the commission's standards for accreditation. An evaluation team will visit the institution in October to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will then recommend to CIHE a continuing status for the institution. Following a review process, the commission itself will take the final action.

 

The public is invited to submit comments regarding Williams College to:

 

Public Comment on Williams College

Commission on Institutions of Higher Education

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100

Burlington, MA 01803-4514

Email: cihe​@neasc​.org

 

Public comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution. The commission cannot settle disputes between individuals and institutions, whether those involve faculty, students, administrators, or members of other groups. Comments will not be treated as confidential and must include the sender's name, address, and telephone number.

 

Public comments must be received by Oct. 25, 2017. The commission cannot guarantee that submissions received after that date will be considered.