RLC wants to hear from you as part of accreditation process

INA, Ill. – Chances are you have a connection to Rend Lake College. You came to us for an associate degree or certificate. You participated in one of our Community Education courses. You sent your children to campus for our Summer Kids Camps. You visited campus for one of our countless community activities. Now, we want to hear from you.

RLC is looking for community members to offer comments on our activities and services as part of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation process. Comments from current and prospective students, interested parents, and in-district taxpayers are welcomed.

In September, RLC will receive a visit from HLC as a part of the Open Pathway to accreditation. As part of the Federal Compliance process, one piece in the accreditation puzzle, HLC requires institutions to undergo a comprehensive evaluation, which includes an invitation to the public to provide written comments to HLC.

Three weeks before the visit to campus, HLC reviews and forwards these comments to the evaluation team members and the institution. The evaluation team will then visit campus Sept. 24-25.

RLC President Terry Wilkerson said third-party comments are extremely valuable tools the college and HLC consult during accreditation evaluations.

“We always want to hear from you, but in this case, it is essential to hear from our constituents about both our successes and challenges so we can work to better serve you,” said Wilkerson.

These third-party comments can be submitted online to HLC at www.hlcommission.org/comment or can be mailed to HLC at the address below. Comments are due Aug. 27, and HLC cannot guarantee that comments after the due date will be considered.

Third-Party Comment on Rend Lake College
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

RLC has been accredited by HLC since 1969 and it is vital to what we do. Accreditation serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions, and much more. HLC is one of six regional accreditors in the country and is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

More information about the Higher Learning Commission can be obtained through its website at www.hlcommission.org. To learn more about RLC’s road to accreditation, visit www.rlc.edu/hlc.