The WSCUC Commission traditionally meets in a retreat format in November to work on significant policy, within and beyond WSCUC. This year the centerpiece was especially far-reaching: review and approval of the 2022 WSCUC Standards for Accreditation that speak to excellence, effectiveness, and equity. By popular request, the project will also yield a revised Handbook and streamlined process for institutional self-studies, plus guides and resources to smooth the introduction of the new Standards. (The full story and link to the 2022 Standards appears just below this letter.)
Standards review and synthesis over several years was shaped by the valued ideas of hundreds of commenters. WSCUC is also grateful for the serious and creative work of the Commission, chaired by Phillip Doolittle (University of Massachusetts Global), and especially for the superb service of the Standards and Handbook Review Work Group, chaired Leanne Neilson (California Lutheran University) and Sharon Hamill (CSU San Marcos), and the staff, guided by Executive Vice President Christopher Oberg.
The higher education landscape, like our natural environment, is under stress. The Commissioners explored questions of confidence in the value of higher education and indeed assaults on learning and free inquiry, along with the imperative to increase equity. They considered the contribution of evidence and the accreditation inquiry process to evaluating, assuring, and communicating student success and the “worth” of education. Discussion focused on WSCUC’s opportunities and responsibility to promote understanding and solutions. Our efforts will take such forms as supporting institutions’ development and achievement of their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals; generating useful data and helping translate it into effective action; and bringing new ideas to education-career connections, credit mobility, and institutional leadership and sustainability.
Finally, at this meeting the Commission established an aspiration to maintain a meaningful representation of members on the Commission whose experience lies outside higher education institutions, going beyond the federal requirement for public membership to assure independent perspectives and reflect the spirit of public voices in decision making. The Nominating Committee will be asked to advance this initiative and the Governance Committee will actively assess its implementation.
As we head into this season of thanks, the WSCUC Commission and staff send you our warm wishes, and our thanks for letting us continue to share in your work in service of our students and higher education.
Jamie Studley
The Commission unanimously adopted revised Standards for Accreditation at its November meeting. The Standards are the foundation for institutional evaluation, but they require context, elaboration, and updated process before they can be implemented. Read more.
The Nominating Committee invites nominations from persons who are interested in serving, or nominating someone to serve, as a Commissioner to begin July 1, 2023. Read more.
The Commission has approved updates to several policies, and WSCUC is requesting comments on the Separately Accreditable Institutions Policy and the Sharing Information with Other Agencies and Regard for their Decisions Policy. Read more.
WSCUC’s Accreditation Leadership Academy is in full swing, and two workshops on December 1 and 2 in Pomona, CA are open for registration. And don’t forget the deadline for ARC2023 Call for Proposals is Monday, November 21. Read more.
WSCUC is pleased to welcome Information Systems Manager Lee Jackson. Read more.
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