University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture's accreditation visit took place March 15-19. Accreditation, which occurs at least once every six years, can vary in term length depending on the program assessment at each visit.

"Ideally, you hope to be granted a six-year term," says Associate Professor of Architecture William Wittig. "We were granted a six-year term last time, and it is likely that will be the case again."

For the Accreditation Team visit, Associate Professor of Architecture Will Wittig created the "team room," a 2,000-square foot exhibition space of drawings and models representing five years of students' work. 

Before the visit transpires, a lengthy report is submitted to the visiting committee. According to Wittig, "This report gives a great deal of information about the program and developments that have occurred since the last visit." The visit involves a team of four outside reviewers and another observer who is, typically, a program alumnus.

The four reviewers represent the American Institute of Architects, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the American Collegiate Schools of Architecture, and the American Institute of Architecture Students. As a team, they represent the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

For four days, the team reviews evidence and meets with various people to make their assessment of the program. Thirteen major conditions need to be met. Of these, the centerpiece is the 13th condition, which is "Student Performance Criteria." Wittig says, "This is the most important and in-depth condition. It includes 34 performance criteria which we have to demonstrate are being met by the curriculum, using student work as evidence of achievement."

The team then makes a detailed assessment of all 34 student performance criteria as well as the 12 other conditions. Next, a report, including a recommendation for action is sent to NAAB. The national board rules on their recommendation before sending a final report this summer.

"This is no small undertaking," Wittig says. "It requires a huge amount of work to prepare the initial report, the evidence for the review, and to organize the visit's logistics.

"Dean Vogel wrote the initial report, and gathered evidence for binders created for each of the 34 student performance criteria," Wittig says. In addition to other duties, Wittig created the "team room," a 2,000-square foot exhibition space of drawings and models representing five years of students' work. In addition, Associate Professors Dan Pitera and Amy Deines organized a show of alumni and faculty work.

Wittig says, "In addition to Steve and myself, (Associate Professor) Wladek Fuchs developed a digital interface for the archiving and display of student work that is produced digitally. Other faculty, staff and many student volunteers were also instrumental in the visit's success."