Each year, the Higher Learning Commission requires each member institution to provide an update on organizational health. Completion of the Annual Institutional Data Update (AIDU) is a requirement of affiliation with the Commission.

We have incorporated a number of changes into the 2009-2010 AIDU. Some of these changes will require the coordination of additional information.

• The institution will be asked to identify an Accreditation Liaison who, in addition to the President, will be a key contact for the Higher Learning Commission.
• The Commission collects specific indicator data with the AIDU. These indicators are compared from year-to-year. At the end of the report, there is a data verification section that displays the degree of change between years as a monitoring system for the Commission. This year’s report provides the opportunity to review and correct the last three years of non-financial indicator data on file prior to Commission analysis.
• The institution will be required to reentered some data and provide additional information on distance education and contractual relationships.
• The institution will be asked to identify all programs by Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Codes. Any new program information entered will require the correct CIP Code.
• The report no longer includes a dues estimate. Dues invoices will be sent in July 2010.

Your 2009-2010 Annual Institutional Data Update Report will be accessible through the Commission’s Web site from March 1 - April 16. In early February, we will send additional instructions as well as provide informational webcasts to assist those responsible for completing the Report.

The Commission has updated the overview and developed a timeline to demonstrate the implementation of the Pathways Project. The new model proposes to separate the continued accreditation process as currently carried out through PEAQ into two components: the Assurance Process and the Improvement Process.