Merrimack Valley College Accreditation Files, 1977-1984

Collection number: UA 20/2/6 [Offsite Storage]
Size: 1 box (.33 cu.ft.)

About the University of New Hampshire, Merrimack Valley Branch

The Merrimack Valley College began as a branch of the University of New Hampshire in 1967, providing continuing education programming to the residents of the Merrimack Valley area, the largest population center of the state. In 1977, the state legislature established Merrimack Valley College as a separate educational entity within the University System of New Hampshire, which would "provide the people of the greater Manchester area with a college where they can attain an associate degree." In 1978, the Concord regional center of the School for Lifelong Learning moved to MVC, joining the college in its building, and took over MVC's continuing education programs. The two institutions operated cooperatively to deliver a wide range of educational programs. Also in 1978, the College applied to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges for candidacy for accreditation. The Governance Task Force at MVC was established while the school was still a branch of the University of New Hampshire. The task force was charged with fashioning a governance structure under which the emerging Merrimack Valley College could function. Electing a committee to develop by-laws for the College was the first step taken. From those by-laws came the skeleton organization for the running of the school; i.e. an Academic Affairs Committee to oversee all matters relating to programs, a Management Committee to manage business matters, and a college-wide Forum to run the College. The Forum had the final authority for all matters concerning the running of the College, and was subject only to the veto power of the Dean of the College. By action of the MVC Forum, a strategic planning process was put into place to chart a course for steady expansion. In addition, and Executive Committee to the Forum was organized to deal with sensitive issues, and a Merrimack Valley College Advisory Board was authorized by the USNH Board of Trustees. This mode of governance remained in place until 1985, at which time the MVC became the University of New Hampshire at Manchester (UNHM).

About the Merrimack Valley College Accreditation Files

This collection contains materials, studies, and reports relating to the Accreditation of Merrimack Valley College and papers from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open. Please note, the MVB files are housed in the Library Storage Building and require 24 hour notice for retrieval.

Copyright Notice

Copyright is retained by the University of New Hampshire.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Merrimack Valley College Accreditation Files, 1977-1984, UA 20/2/6, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.

Acquisitions Information

These records were transferred from the University of New Hampshire-Manchester Library in March 2002.

Collection Contents

Box 4
Box 4, Folder 1Dec. 1977-Jan. 1978Materials for Self-Study prepared by NEASC
Box 4, Folder 21978Letter of Approval for Candidacy of MVC by NEASC in response to 1978 Self Study
Box 4, Folder 31978-1984Statement of Purpose and Objectives prepared for Accreditation Team
Box 4, Folder 41979NEASC Report regarding status of Accreditation review
Box 4, Folder 5Feb. 28, 1980Biennial Progress Report to NEASC
Box 4, Folder 6March 1980-July 1983Accreditation Committee Miscellaneous Correspondence
Box 4, Folder 7Dec. 1980Organizational Study of MVC School for Lifelong Learning
Box 4, Folder 8July 1981Self Study Accreditation Report for MVC
Box 4, Folder 91981Report of Accreditation Team
Box 4, Folder 10April 1982Report from NEASC on Deferment of Accreditation decision
Box 4, Folder 11Dec. 1982-May 1983Material for Second Self Study report
Collection

Formats

Letters & Postcards
Minutes & Reports
Newspapers & Publications