Page Last Updated: 5/30/2023
The coronavirus outbreak is a concern to the entire WSCUC community. We have received inquiries for Commission advice about a variety of topics, including continuing academic operations, WSCUC institutional visits and reviews, and ARC2021. We are monitoring new information and developments and will post any relevant information or updates here.
The WSCUC membership includes institutions across the globe, in areas with different levels of health alerts relating to the COVID-19 situation. At this time, each institution is making its own determination about how to proceed in light of national, local, and institutional circumstances as the pandemic persists. The Commission does not provide specific guidelines on whether or how to continue operations beyond the principles set forth in our Standards. However, you are encouraged to contact your staff liaison if you have particular questions.
We know you will honor the achievement of expected learning outcomes insofar as it is reasonable for your institution, and we recognize that you are in the best position to make accommodations so that students and employees can be as safe as possible. The Commission leaves these important decisions to individual campuses, believing that each will adhere to its learning objectives/goals as they can reasonably be achieved in the climate in which you are operating.
WSCUC News & Resources
- Fall 2023 – Spring 2024 Authorization for Distance Education/Remote Instruction (Updated 5/30/23)
- Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 Authorization for Distance Education/Remote Instruction (Updated 12/7/22)
- Spring and Summer 2022 Remote Instruction Authorization (Posted 10/11/21)
- Spring 2022 Remote Instruction Update (Posted 9/3/21)
- Fall 2021 Remote Instruction Authorization (Posted 3/31/21)
- WSCUC-Accredited Institutions Assisting with COVID Efforts (Posted 3/10/21)
- Temporary Authorization of Distance Education for Spring and Summer 2021 Terms (Updated 2/2/21)
- WSCUC Will Conduct Remote Reviews in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 (Updated 9/1/20)
- UPDATE! RESCINDED– International Students and ICE SEVS Directive (Updated 7/14/20)
Questions
- Teams: Teams with questions about upcoming visits should contact their WSCUC staff liaison.
- ALOs: ALOs with questions should contact their WSCUC staff liaison.
- Substantive Change: Contact John Hausaman
- Unsure who to talk to? Email vipsupport@wscuc.org for assistance.
COVID-19 Resources for Colleges & Universities
Below you will find a variety of materials that might be useful as you consider scenarios for teaching in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. WSCUC does not provide models or exemplars, as each campus situation is different. Further, institutions must consider dimensions of state, local and system policies that need to be followed or integrated into their plans, as well as student body and staff populations, physical and fiscal resources, and other characteristics unique to their institutions. This list is not intended to be comprehensive.
Campus Planning Resources
- AACRAO – Update on recently passed legislation (Posted 1/11/21)
- State of California Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education (Posted 8/10/20)
- Reopening with Equity: 10 Questions for Campus and System Leaders from REACH NY, providing data and guidance to create equity-focused and student-centered learning environments when planning college and university reopening strategies. While the data are from New York, the results and the issues students face apply equally well to most higher education institutions in the US. (Posted 7/31/20)
- CDC Considerations for Institutes of Higher Education (Updated 12/31/20)
- NACUBO – extensive guidance and resources for colleges and universities, particularly related to business office operations and responses to disruptions (Updated 10/2/20)
- 2013 project by the U.S. Department of Education and three other agencies, Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Institutions of Higher Education (Posted 5/20/20)
- EduCause resource page to help institutions manage the implications of campus disruption caused by COVID-19 (Updated 1/14/21)
- EduCause kit for developing surveys of remote work and learning experiences of students, faculty and staff (Posted 5/20/20)
- Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) – online teaching toolkit (Posted 5/20/20)