WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION

        (Adapted from the Accreditation Handbook, Commission on Colleges and Universities, 1999 Edition)

                                                   http://programs.weber.edu/nwreview

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 WHAT IS ACCREDITATION? 

Accreditation is the process of recognizing educational institutions for their performance, integrity, and quality.  This process entitles colleges and universities to the confidence of the educational community and the public.

 WHY IS ACCREDITATION IMPORTANT? 

Accreditation means that WSU has goals which are soundly conceived, our educational programs are intelligently devised, our mission and purposes are being accomplished, and we are organized, staffed and supported in ways that merit confidence.  Accreditation is required for WSU to participate in the Department of Education Title IV student financial aid programs and other federal funding programs (NSF, NIH, etc).

WHO ACCREDITS WSU? 

The Commission on Colleges and Universities of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges is the regional agency which accredits WSU.  The Northwest region is one of six similar regional agencies in the U.S. which accredit colleges and universities.  Member states of the Northwest region include Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. 

The Commission on Colleges and Universities is the body within the Northwest Association that will act on our accreditation status.  It consists of 24 professional colleagues who represent colleges in the Northwest region.

WHAT DOES THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS ENTAIL? 

1.         We conduct a comprehensive institutional self-study and submit this document to the Commission on Colleges and Universities in August, 2004.  Individual academic programs prepare program self-studies which become part of the institutional self-study. 

2.         An Evaluation Team comprised of professional colleagues from other colleges conducts a visit October 20-22, 2004 to verify what is written in our institutional self-study. 

3.         The Evaluation Team writes a report which identifies strengths and weaknesses for WSU overall, as well as for specific areas within the institution.  The report includes recommendations for changes for areas of weakness. 

4.         The Commission reviews the report, interviews our President, and takes action.  Commission actions can include reaffirming our accreditation, requesting a progress report or focused interim visit, issuing a warning, imposing probation, or terminating our accreditation. 

5.         We respond to the Commission’s action and to the recommendations for change which were made by the Evaluation Team. 

WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH THE SELF-STUDY? 

Institutional self-study is regarded as the most significant part of the accreditation process.  The aim of the self-study is to understand, evaluate, and improve - not to merely defend or describe what already exists.  It is important that the views of the entire campus, not just a small group of individuals, are reflected in the self-study.  Self-study should be viewed as an ongoing process to: 

1.         Analyze resources and effectiveness of the institution in fulfilling its mission 

2.         Demonstrate that the achievements of students who complete programs are commensurate with the certificates, diplomas, degrees, or other recognition awarded. 

3.         Appraise the relationship of all the institution’s activities to its purposes. 

4.         Provide a sound basis for institutional planning and improvement. 

It is important that the institutional self-study assess outcomes (results), as well as address structure and process.  The institutional self-study should assess student achievement with respect to programs and services offered to accomplish educational purposes.  Prime consideration is to be placed on performance or the achievement of institutional goals. 

WHAT AREAS OF THE UNIVERSITY DOES THE SELF-STUDY EXAMINE? 

There are nine accreditation standards which need to be addressed in the self-study:

                        Standard One - Institutional Mission and Goals
                        Standard Two - Educational Program and Its Effectiveness
                        Standard Three - Students
                        Standard Four - Faculty
                        Standard Five - Library and Information Resources
                        Standard Six - Governance and Administration
                        Standard Seven - Finance
                        Standard Eight - Physical Resources
                        Standard Nine - Institutional Integrity 

WHAT INFORMATION GOES INTO THE SELF-STUDY FOR EACH OF THE STANDARDS? 

Although there will be some variation, in general, the format for each standard of the self-study will be as follows: 

1.         Purpose/Description
- provide information which relates to the standard
- if the standard focuses on a particular unit of WSU, include information on the unit’s mission, activities, personnel (faculty, staff, students), facilities, etc 

2.         Significant Changes
- focus on the last 5 years (1999-2004) and highlight changes which relate to the standard, but include all truly significant changes that have occurred since the last full-scale visit in 1994
- if relevant, identify what has been done to address institution-wide deficiencies identified in the 1994 report which relate to the standard

3.         Strengths & Challenges
- identify 3 to 5 strengths which relate to the standard (areas which exceed the standards)
- identify 3 to 5 challenges which relate to the standard (areas which do not meet the standards) 

4.          Next Steps/Action Items
- identify 5 to 10 action items which relate to the standard which will minimize challenges or increase areas of strength
- provide a 1 to 5 year time-line for each action item

5.          Supporting Documentation
- include documents, exhibits and appendices as identified in the standard 

WHO IS LEADING OUR SELF-STUDY AND HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? 

There is a campus-wide Self-study Steering Committee with the following membership.  Contact any of these individuals with questions or with an offer to get involved. 

                        Jim Cox, Facilities Management
                        Don Gardner, Information Technology
                        Craig Gundy, Health Sciences Dept
                        Nancy Haanstad, Political Science & Philosophy Dept
                        Laird Hartman, Continuing Education
                        Kathy Herndon, English Dept
                        Warren Hill, College of Applied Science & Technology
                        Joan Hubbard, Library
                        Kathleen Lukken, Academic Affairs (co-chair)
                        Marianne Madsen, Technical Writer
                        Ann Millner, University Relations
                        Monica Mize, Health Promotion & Human Performance Dept (co-chair)
                        Steve Nabor, Accounting Services
                        Dale Ostlie, Physics Dept
                        Carl Porter, Academic Support Services and Programs
                        Shane Schvaneveldt, Business Administration Dept
                        Brian Shuppy, Institutional Research
                        Tony Spanos, Foreign Language Dept
                        Toni Weight, Student Affairs
                        Catherine Zublin, Performing Arts Dept