You are undoubtedly concerned about the accreditation status of the GSLIS at this time. I am writing to introduce myself as the new Chair of GSLIS and to give you an update on our accreditation issues. As you know, the GSLIS has appealed the decision made by the ALA to withdraw our accreditation. We are still in the appeal process, and most of the details of this process must remain confidential. I can tell you, however, that on July 8th the GSLIS, along with President Muyskens, College lawyer Meryl Kaynard and Lucinda Zoe, University Dean for Academic Initiatives in the Chancellor's Office of the Provost, met with the ALA Appeal Review Committee for a hearing on our case. We all believe it went well for the GSLIS, but we will not know the outcome of this hearing until August 6th. On that date we will receive a report from the ALA informing us of their decision to either uphold the decision to withdraw accreditation, or to remand the matter back to COA for reconsideration. If our case goes back to COA for reconsideration with instructions from the ALA Executive Board members, the COA will make its decision to either grant us Continued Conditional with a fall 2014 comprehensive review or to Uphold the Withdraw – at its November 22, 2013 meeting.

In short, this means that on August 6th we will know if there is a final determination by ALA to withdraw our accreditation. You can be sure that I will include you in all communication I send out when we hear from ALA about this decision.

As we move into the fall semester, I am happy to report that we have not had to cancel any adjunct courses. I hope to meet with all of you during the upcoming semester to learn of your concerns and just to get to know you better. Enjoy the rest of the summer in good spirits!

Best to all,

Colleen Cool, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair
Graduate School of Library & Information Studies
Queens College, City University of New York
Flushing, N.Y.  11367
Phone:  718 997-3790

email: ccool@qc.edu; colleen.cool@gmail.com