Equity and Inclusion

Equity & Inclusion

From Our President

WSCUC stands for diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice and reaffirmed this commitment in a new Statement of Commitment to Equity & Inclusion adopted in June 2021. WSCUC has expressed its commitment in many ways, from its first diversity policy in 1994 and successor Equity and Inclusion Policy adopted in 2017, to pioneering work on disaggregated student data. On June 4, 2020 WSCUC issued “George Floyd and Accreditation,” a call to deep reflection and meaningful action by WSCUC and higher education. And in February 2021 the Commission established and Chair Phillip Doolittle appointed a new Equity & Inclusion Council, with the Commission Vice Chair, Tracy Poon Tambascia, as its chair.

Read Pres. Studley's Full Letter

Equity & Inclusion Policy Equity & Inclusion Guide Commitment to Equity & Inclusion Equity & Inclusion Council

Action & Projects

Better Conversations, Better Data: Analysis to Improve E&I Outcomes

One of WSCUC’s priority projects to support equitable student success is called “Better Conversations, Better Data.” With the support of the Lumina Foundation, WSCUC is developing systematic pathways for increased use of evidence and outcomes data across the accreditation process to illuminate potential for improvement and achievement of standards.

Diversity of Expertise and Background on Peer Review Teams

Peer review teams composed of volunteers from across higher education serve a critical function in institutional reviews. Teams evaluate and make recommendations to the WSCUC Commission as to whether an institution is meeting WSCUC standards, and also provide valuable insights to help the institution improve its effectiveness. WSCUC is committed to fielding diverse, skillful review teams in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, professional background, and areas of expertise.

Equity and Inclusion Guide

The Equity and Inclusion Guide (E&I Guide) provides suggestions for using inquiry and data to promote focused conversations about E&I as part of institutional awareness and action as well as during the accreditation review.