An overview of the various roles of team members.

Questions to ask your accreditation agency:

• What is my role on the team?
• May I offer suggestions for improvement?
• How many people are on a typical accreditation site team and from what areas?
• How long does a typical visit last?
• When are accreditation agency staff included on a team?
• Are members of the agency's decision-making body included on teams?
• Are observers allowed on teams?
• How are the team and session leaders chosen?
• What authority does the agency give site teams to make accreditation decisions?
• When do site teams work in conjunction with teams from other agencies?
• Will team members be reimbursed, and if so, how?
• What procedures should be followed if a team member does not show up for the site visit or is unable to perform his or her duties?
• Under what circumstances should a site visit be rescheduled?

An evaluation team essentially "audits" a university or program, providing an external, peer review from the framework of the accreditation agency's standards. It reports areas of strength and weakness, especially those that may be in noncompliance with standards, and provides recommendations for continuing improvement based on standards.

The evaluation follows a pre-determined and highly-structured schedule that includes interviews and meetings with the university administrators, deans, faculty and students. Tours may be made of physical facilities and educational resources including off-campus facilities used for students to gain real-world experiences.

Reporting practices vary at each accreditation agency, so it will be important to know the normal procedures for your team. For example, at the conclusion of the visit, the evaluation team may verbally present its findings and may also include recommendations to university, college or school officers. Some agencies even allow the evaluation team to render accreditation decisions. Other agencies neither allow the team to verbally report nor make recommendations of any sort. And in many instances, only the agency's decision-making body is permitted to make accreditation decisions. In spite of difference in reporting practices, the team's findings will become the basis for a written report, that is subsequently given to the institution and accreditation agency.

A key factor in the acceptance and success of the U.S. accreditation system is the wide range of individuals who participate in it. Teams are usually selected by accreditation-agency staff, with opportunities for the program or institution to review the selections for potential conflicts of interest. Evaluation teams may be composed of any of the following types of individuals:

• academics
• administrators
• students
• regulators
• practitioners
• accreditation agency staff
• accreditation agency decision-making bodies
• members of the public

Some accreditation agencies include a staff member who has experience with site visits and accreditation standards. That individual frequently coordinates the visit, but every team member must participate fully in the evaluation. Site teams typically include faculty members and deans. Sometimes a first-time evaluator will be assigned to the team, but usually no more than one to assure that the team has enough experienced evaluators. In addition, the Department of Education requires certain professional disciplines to have a practitioner on the site team.

Observers sometimes accompany teams to provide an opportunity for the general public to better understand the accreditation process. An observer may have the dual responsibility of not only watching the evaluation process unfold, but also providing insights to the evaluation team from a fresh perspective.

On occasion, teams from different accreditation agencies will coordinate their efforts in order to conduct joint evaluations that minimize costs and disruption to a campus or program.

When you agree to participate as an evaluator on a site team, you must make yourself available for the complete duration of the visit. On occasion, however, weather, illness, or other unavoidable circumstances may make it impossible for you to go on a scheduled visit or fulfill your duties. If this should happen to you, contact the accreditation agency or team leader immediately, so that alternate arrangements can be made. The agency's policies and procedures will dictate how the program or institution should be informed and how a decision should be made regarding whether to continue or postpone the visit.