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Planning & Institutional Effectiveness

The Office of Planning & Institutional Effectiveness leads institutional planning and improvement activities, with a focus on integrating the collection, analysis, and sharing of University data and outcomes to demonstrate how the University is fulfilling its mission and meeting its goals as defined in its Strategic Plan. In addition to coordinating strategic planning processes, the Office provides support for the development and alignment of support plans, and annual progress reporting, including the development of strategic metrics and other performance and outcome measures.  In this work, the office shares a collaborative relationship with the Offices of Institutional Reporting and Data Analytics and Educational Assessment, and with other campus partners to facilitate collaborative implementation of the University's integrated Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Model.

The Office manages the University's institutional accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, University compliance processes under the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), and related policy and compliance activities. Planning & Institutional Effectiveness also supports University policy & governance activities

The University of Scranton's Strategic Plan is uniquely focused on building a transformational student learning experience, its creation, implementation, and monitoring of progress and outcomes part of a continuous planning cycle. As guided by our integrated planning model , all University departments, colleges, and divisions develop  plans that outline support for these strategic goals, goals for their own growth and improvement, and report progress on planning and evaluative activities. Members of the University community work together to develop and pursue plans for other institution-wide endeavors. 

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Institutional effectiveness (IE) is a comprehensive process that integrates planning, institutional and educational assessment, and other evaluative activities in support of decision making, resource allocation, and improvement. These processes engage each unit of the University, and the University as a whole, in supporting and demonstrating the many ways in which we are fulfilling our mission and goals.  Click here to learn more about IE activities.
The University of Scranton is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 1-267-284-5000 MSCHE  is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Although a voluntary practice, holding institutional accreditation is a requirement for higher education institutions to access federal student financial aid and other funding under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.  Accreditation with MSCHE is incumbent upon a college or university's compliance with the Commission's Standards for Accreditation and Requirements for Affiliation, with other topical Commission policies, and with accreditation-relevant aspects of federal education law and policy. Click here to learn more about MSCHE accreditation. 
The Office of Planning & Institutional Effectiveness coordinates the University's consumer information and related reporting under the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 1965, as amended. The Act requires institutions receiving Title IV federal financial aid to disclose general information and reports on various policies, procedures, and operations, including data related to student outcomes, student financial assistance, health and safety, accreditation, and intercollegiate athletics. Click here to view the University's Consumer Information website, including important contact information and related resources. 
The University of Scranton embraces the participation of all constituent groups in the development of institutional policies. This activity is coordinated via a representative governance structure that embraces common governance principles, and through defined policy practices. Click here to read more about governance activities and review policy documents and resources.