Message from the President

Colleagues,

It seems timely and appropriate to provide an update from the COTC leadership regarding the Accreditation/Self-Study process.  We are delighted to be able to share some very exciting news with you regarding recent action taken by the Higher Learning Commission.  The change request to extend COTC's accreditation to include the AAB in Business Management Technologies (all options) and the AAS in Human Services (all options) at both the Knox and Pataskala campuses has been approved.  The Institutional Actions Council of the HLC voted on that October 23 and the letter was recently received, effective on that date.

This news is exciting indeed, as incoming students into these degree programs will not need to question their future campus location.  We no longer need to use phrasing such as "we anticipate the following degrees" in our marketing and recruiting materials, but we can now go forward and proudly announce that students may complete their entire degree in these specific programs at any of our four campus locations: Newark, Coshocton, Knox and Pataskala.

The change request regarding the Knox and Pataskala campuses was no small task.  Thank you to those members of the campus community whose hard work and dedication resulted in successfully obtaining this critical approval for accreditation.

As the work continues as we prepare for the comprehensive site visit in May 2008, December marks a significant milestone in our reaccreditation efforts.  As you know, the Self-Study Report was open for campus-wide review and input during October, and the editing of that report continued through November.  In December, the final Self-Study report will be presented to our Board of Trustees for their endorsement and, upon their approval, we will begin the production of the final report.

As we look to the new year, we will shift our focus from the development of the self-study to the preparation of the campuses.  I encourage each of you to looking at your office, files, websites, bulletin boards, display cases, classrooms, facilities, grounds and hallways; and making certain that they are current and in order. 

At COTC, we have much to be thankful for.  I thank you for your continued commitment and participation in this most important endeavor.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Bonnie L. Coe, Ph.D.