The upcoming visit of the Middle States Review Board was the focus of discussion at a meeting of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee Wednesday afternoon in Capen Hall.
According to UB officials, the review board of nine members focuses on ensuring a high quality of education in all universities under its jurisdiction. The board also determines whether or not the schools it reviews should receive Middle States accreditation.
At the meeting, President William R. Greiner said UB's Middle States accreditation is secure.
"The chances that UB would have accreditation pulled is miniscule," he said.
To prepare for the review board's visit, which will last from Sept. 28 through Oct. 1, the Faculty Senate has worked to create a self-study report of UB's programs and facilities. The report is based on the findings of 18 subcommittees made up of faculty, staff and student representatives.
The Faculty Senate has been reviewing and modifying the self-study report since July 18, after receiving public comments.
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Kerry S. Grant said the self-study will answer many of the questions that the Middle States Review might have.
Three UB administrators -- Grant, Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs Beth Delgenio and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Gayle Brazeau -- led a team of 90 faculty members in the creation of the study.
Over the summer, Dr. Steve Beering, chairman of the Middle States, visited UB. According to Grant, Beering said UB's self-study document was "one of the better ones he has seen."
Beering also met with a number of students during his visit. In addition, students will have the opportunity to formally meet with the review group during their next visit. According to UB officials, members of the review board will also stop random undergraduates to gain insight into life at UB.
Greiner said UB will use the suggestions of the review group "as an opportunity to try and become a better institution."
Along with the Middle States Review visit, the Faculty Senate discussed the record enrollment of freshmen in fall 2003, which, according to Greiner, increased despite higher selectivity by admissions officers.
"The class of 2007 is the most competitive UB has ever had," Greiner said.
UB officials said that the average SAT score of admitted freshmen increased 10 points to 1188 this year. The score for enrolled freshmen is 1164, a four point increase.
Sean Sullivan, vice provost of Enrollment Planning, spoke at length about the soaring numbers. He pointed out that there was an approximate 3 percent increase in the amount of students enrolled this year as opposed to last.
"People see us as an attractive value," he said.
Sullivan also mentioned the country's bad economic situation as a contributing factor to the high enrollment.
According to Sullivan, there is also an upswing in out-of-state enrollment. Sullivan projects that that number of students coming to UB from around the country will approximately double every two years.
Sullivan also said the influx of undergraduates has strained the amount of available classroom space.
According to Sullivan, many courses, especially those required for freshman, had to add more sections to accommodate the onslaught of students. For example, UGC 111, World Civilizations, added two sections for the extra 400 students who signed up for the class.
An influx of transfer students is also an issue for the Enrollment Planning division of UB, according to Sullivan. From 2002 to 2003, transfer applications increased 33 percent.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
