AUBURN – Central Maine Community College will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit April 6 to 9 by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Such evaluations are required of all colleges and universities that have association accreditation.

The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is one of eight accrediting commissions in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis.

Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole. The commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits approximately 200 institutions in the six-state New England region. CMCC is accredited by the association and has been since 1976.

For more than a year now, CMCC has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the commission’s Standards for Accreditation. The evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the commission a continuing status for the institution. Following a review process, the commission itself will take the final action.

The association invites input from the public regarding CMCC. Those who wish may submit comments regarding the institution to: Public Comment on Central Maine Community College, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, 209 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA 01730-1433 or e-mail [email protected].

Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution. Any comments received will not be treated as confidential. Written, signed comments should be sent to the commission before the evaluation team visits the campus in April. Comments should include the name, address and telephone number of the person presenting the comments.

Anyone with questions about CMCC and the accreditation process is also invited to contact Roger Philippon, dean of planning and public affairs at the college. He can be reached at 755-5357 or via e-mail at [email protected].