Letter: Kean President Addresses Accreditation

Letter as submitted from Dr. Dawood Farahi, President of Kean University, addressing Middle States Accreditation.

On September 1st, Kean University forwarded to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education an extensive and thorough monitoring report designed to demonstrate how the university complies with the Commission’s Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education.

More than 250 Kean faculty, administrators, staff and students participated in the development of this monitoring report and the assessment work that supports it—something that should make every member of the Kean and Kean/Ocean communities proud. For more information on the efforts we are making to meet all MSCI-IE accreditation standards, please go to the Ocean County College home page: http://www.ocean.edu/ and click on “Kean Ocean Accreditation FAQ.”

This monitoring report marks a key step forward in the University’s effort to meet Middle States’ standards and secure its reaffirmation. The process is a long one, and I know the past year has been challenging for all of us. I know it has raised anxiety and questions for many of you in the Kean Ocean community.

However, I want to re-assure all of you that Kean University continues to provide its students with access to a world-class faculty and a world-class education. We humbly recognize the need to make improvements along the way, and we look forward to an assessment of our progress later this month by a Visiting Team from the Commission. I have no doubt that Kean will come through this process stronger, better and more efficient than ever before. I hope all of you stay with us on this important journey.

As the Middle States review plays out, I also want to stress that Kean University remains accredited and that every credit you earn at the University is, indeed, valuable and transferable.

Further, the University considers its partnership with Ocean County College a cornerstone of its future growth and prosperity we have no intention of doing anything but growing in Ocean County for many years to come! Later this academic year, we will celebrate the opening of the Gateway building at the Kean Ocean campus, a multi-million dollar, joint investment that underscores the strength of our commitment to this joint initiative. I want all of you to be a part of the festivities.

Meanwhile, I encourage you to stop by and see me this October when I visit the Kean Ocean campus for a series of discussions with administration, faculty and students. If you have any questions about Kean Ocean, I will be happy to answer them in person. Welcome back to school.

Dr. Dawood Farahi, President of Kean University