Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) can trace its origins to the founding of the Rochester Athenaeum in 1829. After joining with several different Rochester institutions during the 19th century, the Athenaeum finally merged with the Mechanics Institute (founded in 1885) in 1891 to form the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (RAMI). RAMI changed its name to the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944 to better reflect the Institute's role in the field of technical education.During the early 1950s, the university started to discuss becoming accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Middle States (as it is often called) is a regional accreditating organization for the following states and territories: Delaware; Florida; Maryland; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In January 1957, Dr. Leo F. Smith, Dean of Instruction at RIT, announced that the school was about to undertake a self-evaluation process. A large portion of this evaluation was to be the final report required by Middle States as part of the accreditation process.This self-assessment was not the first evaluation performed by the Institute. Starting in 1928, the university continually sought to find ways to improve its educational program. Then, in 1944 a planning committee was formed to evaluate the school's programs and facilities in preparation for enrollment increases following World War II. Still, the self-evaluation planned for 1958 was the largest formal assessment ever conducted at the university.The university had several reasons to seek accreditation. Being accredited would increase the prestige of the university in the educational community. Additionally, if Middle States granted the accreditation, credits from RIT would more easily transfer to other accredited institutions and the university would be eligible for more grants and awards for educational research. With rising enrollment figures and increasing pressure to admit more students, a university-wide self-evaluation made sense.Dr. James W. Wilson, Coordinator of Educational Research at RIT, was named the chairman of the steering committee for the evaluation. Over 100 people including faculty, staff, and administrators, were divided into 20 committees to assess RIT's current situation and identify the university's future needs. The school's administration hoped to address three questions during the evaluation:How can we, in light of the obvious national need for more and better educated people, make our educational programs most effective?How can we effectively utilize our faculty resources in light of a potential teacher shortage?How can we most effectively expand our physical plant to accommodate an increased student population?The evaluation was completed in September 1957 and submitted to Middle States for review.In February 1958, a 14 person team made up of representatives from various schools in Middle States's district, visited the university to conduct a formal review. The team was headed by Dr. Robert W. Van Houten, president of Newark College. As part of the review, the group toured the campus, talked with students, visited classrooms, and consulted with the heads of the various departments. Then, on April 28, 1958, Dr. Mark Ellingson, President of RIT, received the following telegram:My pleasant responsibility is to inform you of accreditation of Rochester Institute of Technology by the Middle States Association. Congratulations to you, the faculty and staff, and Board of Trustees. Continued accreditation will depend on a report due in three years on steps taken to correct certain matters. Letter will follow."Accreditation was effective immediately and the university has maintained its accreditation ever since.

From the description of Middle States Accreditation records, 1957-2007 1957 - 1958. (RIT Library). WorldCat record id: 769878395