Student Notification - September 11, 2025

Dear ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§ Students,
 
Every seven years, the university hosts external reviewers from our accrediting body, the (NWCCU). Accreditation is a comprehensive, in-depth review of Montana State University Billings. This process ensures that ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§ provides you with the programs and services you need to succeed. The reviewers are here to evaluate ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§ on the university’s continuous improvement processes, transparency, and institutional effectiveness. Additionally, accreditation enables ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§ to participate in federal financial aid programs. ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§ has been accredited since 1932.
 
The reviewers want to hear about your experiences — in the classroom, with faculty and staff, with other students, while participating in clubs, in the advising process and more. This is your opportunity to share your experiences and any feedback regarding ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§.
 
Please plan to attend the one-hour student forum on Wednesday, October, 8, at 1:00 pm in Library 231 (LI 231).
 
Note: Only students and the reviewers will be attending this forum.
 
If you are curious about information provided to the review team or any other backround on the accreditation process, please visit the MSU Billings Assessment and Accreditation web page
 
Thank you. Your perspective is important and we hope you take the opportunity to attend this important forum. You may contact Kathleen Thatcher if you have any questions or concerns.
  
Kathleen Thatcher
Director of Assessment and Accreditation
Accreditation Liaison Officer


Faculty Notification - September 10, 2025

Dear ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§ Faculty,
 
Montana State University Billings is hosting a peer evaluation team Oct. 8-10, on behalf of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Institutional accreditation is critical to the operation and reputation of MSU Billings. Your involvement in this review is important.
 
How you are involved:
The NWCCU peer evaluation team requests your presence in an open dialogue session to hear your perspective of our university’s continuous improvement processes, transparency, and institutional effectiveness. Please add this event to your calendar and plan to attend.
 
Faculty Forum – Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 2 pm in Library 231 (LI 231)
 
Additionally, the review team will request open dialogue sessions with various committees and councils. We have received a draft confirmation of which committees the team wishes to meet and the schedule for those meetings. Please keep your calendar as open as possible for Oct 8-10. Our office will send committee members an individual calendar invite for these meetings.
 
Information Provided to the Review Team
1. The institution’s mission, vision, and core themes.
2. ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§â€™s Strategic Plan Framework.
3. The Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness Year 7 Report (EIE) and the Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review Year 6 Report (PRFR).

Thank you for saving these dates and planning to attend the forum. More information will follow as we prepare for this important visit. 

Please bookmark the Assessment and Accreditation web page for all the background and up-to-date information you need.
 
Kathleen Thatcher
Director of Assessment and Accreditation
Accreditation Liaison Officer


Staff Notification - September 10, 2025

Dear ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§ Staff,

This message is being sent to all staff but is largely intended for non-supervisory roles at the university.

Montana State University Billings is hosting a peer evaluation team Oct. 8-10, on behalf of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Institutional accreditation is critical to the operation and reputation of MSU Billings. Your involvement in this review is important.

How you are involved:

The NWCCU peer evaluation team requests your presence in an open dialogue session to hear your perspective of our university’s continuous improvement processes, transparency, and institutional effectiveness. Please add this event to your calendar and plan to attend.

Staff Forum – Thursday, Oct. 9 at 11 am in Library 231 (LI 231)

Note: The staff forum is intended for employees who are not faculty and not in supervisory roles or upper leadership positions. If you are unclear whether to attend, please reach out to Kathleen Thatcher with your concerns.

We have received a draft confirmation of which committees the team wishes to meet and the schedule for those meetings. Please keep your calendar as open as possible for Oct 8-10. Our office will send committee members individual calendar invitations for these meetings. Please look for those calendar invites and plan to attend. 

Information Provided to the Review Team:

  1. The institution’s mission, vision, and core themes
  2. ¾ÅÒ»Âé¶¹ÖÆÆ¬³§â€™s Strategic Plan Framework
  3. The Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness Year 7 Report (EIE) and the Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review Year 6 Report (PRFR)

Thank you for saving these dates and planning to attend the forum. More information will follow as we prepare for this important visit. Look for a specific meeting invitation on this soon.

Please bookmark the Assessment and Accreditation web page for all the background and up-to-date information you need.

Kathleen Thatcher

Director of Assessment and Accreditation

Accreditation Liaison Officer