LETTER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO 2015 UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION February 23-24, 2015 To the Members of the Higher Learning Commission, We warmly welcome you to Loyola University Chicago. As you engage in your evaluation over these two days, we are certain that you will observe the many complex and rapidly evolving layers of this university. Through many years of development and improvement, Loyola University Chicago has dramatically changed. You may encounter newly constructed and energy efficient buildings like the Richard J. Klarchek Information Commons or the Greenhouse at the Institute for Environmental Studies, or you may take a stroll through the exciting and spirited Arnold J. Damen, S.J. Student Center. You may observe the multifaceted nature of student life and academic rigor in classrooms, residence halls, or study spaces. From new buildings to expanded courses, widened opportunities, and increasingly diverse programs, we, as students at this institution, are proud of the many ways in which Loyola has changed, and we are aware of the many ways we have directly benefitted as a result. We recognize, however, that the evolution of the university is currently incomplete. An issue that is in particular need of attention and further development lies in Loyola University Chicago’s system of governance and process of decision-making as it pertains specifically to students. This letter is intended to highlight the student perspective on this pressing issue. As you engage in your accreditation of Loyola University Chicago we hope that this letter will shed light on the student perspective and ask that you address this issue and incorporate this information into your final report as is applicable. Before we enter into the substance of this letter, we want to briefly acknowledge the role that the last accreditation played in inspiring significant and lasting change at Loyola University Chicago, particularly in this area of governance and decision-making. The university released an institutional self-study in 2005, the year of last accreditation, which incorporated an extensive review of its governing systems. This amended approach to governance was a response to HLC feedback that highlighted the need for the university to establish a more concrete and explicit system of shared governance. One particular and tangible result from this “renaissance” was the increased support of a new governing body, University Senate, to direct policy and engage in important conversations that impact the wider Loyola community. To our understanding, though the body was created in 2003, it was not until after the accreditation in 2005 that University Senate increased in influence. In retrospect, this system has proven effective for addressing the needs of faculty and staff, as they fill the majority of seats in the governing body, but it has not adequately addressed or defined the role of student in providing effective input on decisions that directly impact them at this university. Through engaging in a reflection of the last four years at this institution, we have identified a number of moments where university policies or structures were altered or implemented without ample communication to or effective input from students. We acknowledge the many avenues already present to students to have a voice on university matters; students have seats on committees of the Board of Trustees, University Senate, and multiple other councils and boards within the university. These privileges, however, are restricted to a small percentage of students and are limited in scope and influence. We seek
a more comprehensive and representative system of decision-making that includes more student input from all areas of the university. For the university decisions that were made with student input, the final decisions were made with little regard for the concerns students had voiced. There were some instances, however, where decisions about student issues were made with absolutely no student input. The decisions were, instead, presented as official university policy only after they had been discussed and approved exclusively by staff and administrators. Historically, students have voiced frustration at the lack of transparency, minimal communication, and limited opportunities for effective input on matters that directly impact them. The frustration partially stems from an ineffective system of communication between the administration and students. Students often express the sentiment, “If I had known Loyola was discussing this, I would have voiced my opinion.� Students are simply handed final decisions rather than being invited to see, understand, and offer input to the process as it is happening. Though the largest population of university stakeholders, students are often the last to hear about decisions that affect us. As we reflect on the limited role students have played in recent university decisions over the past four years, we have highlighted the following instances that serve as examples of inadequate transparency, communication, and decision-making mechanisms. Transition from Metropolis to Starbucks Coffee, 2012 Loyola Dining meal plan price increases, 2013 Tuition increases, 2013-2015 On-campus marriage policy revision, 2014 Greek Life deferred recruitment policy change, 2014 The closing of the Loyola student farm, 2014 Final exam schedule restructuring, 2014 Each of these instances are accompanied by full descriptions as well as personal student narratives available online through Loyola University’s OrgSync. We will ensure you have access to that information for any further research you desire. We do not claim that these decisions were made without important and nuanced rationale. We, instead, assert that the way in which the decisions were made excluded an essential voice in the process: students. We are frustrated, and we are insistent that the current system does not work for all involved stakeholders. Students desire an effective voice and a seat at the table when decisions are made about us. We sincerely hope that as this incredible university continues to grow and develop that our voices will be heard more clearly and listened to more intently. Consequently, we call on you, the Higher Learning Commission, to recommend that Loyola University Chicago implement a structured and uniform process for students to effectively voice input on potential decisions here at this university. Thank you for your presence on campus this week and for your continued support of Loyola University Chicago. Signed, The Students of Loyola University Chicago