Table of Contents

• Draft Standards Coming Soon, and More: President Studley’s Letter
• Equity and Inclusion Guide
• Commission Policy Changes and Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Changes
• Educational Programming Updates
• New and Departing Commissioners
• Commission Actions
• WSCUC Commission Calendar

 

President Studley’s Letter:

Greetings!

Draft Standards Coming Soon for your Comments: We are pleased to report that, after a series of in-depth discussions at its June meeting, the Commission approved a draft of new Standards and Criteria for Review (CFRs) for circulation to the membership. The draft is a result of three years of work and reconsideration of the 2013 Standards by the Commission and its Standards and Handbook Review Committee, led by Provost Leanne Neilson (California Lutheran University) and Professor Sharon Hamill (CSU San Marcos). The draft new Standards incorporate input from WSCUC member institutions gathered during multiple ARC meetings and special listening sessions, including with accreditation liaison officers, CEOs, and students, and also from discussions with identified stakeholders beyond institutions.

In the coming weeks, the Commission will send the draft with an explanation of the review process and a request for your feedback on the proposed changes, with options for written comments and participation in town halls and other sessions led by commissioners and staff into September. Please be on the alert so that you may comment and critique.

This issue announces the release of a new Equity and Inclusion Guide delving into institutional practices, programs and outcomes. We are proud to offer this tool to facilitate meaningful conversations that will lead to improvements.

We’re always learning and sharing.

• A strong cohort is assembling at Lake Tahoe for the first session of the new Accreditation Leadership Academy, building on a decade of the respected assessment-focused academy. Watch for future WSCUC educational program offerings. 
• I’m looking forward to two sessions by WSCUC about weaving together accreditation, planning and evidence, one through the Society for College & University Planning and also CHEA (Council on Higher Education Accreditation). We’ll make them both available to you.
• I learned a lot from my first WSCUC international visit. In April I was an observer on our reaccreditation review at Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima, Peru, led by team chair Eduardo Ochoa (CSU Monterey Bay). Then in June I spoke in Mexico City at INQAAHE (International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education) and IAUP (International Association of University Presidents). The enthusiasm of those leaders and institutions for the quality improvement role of accreditation struck me – remember, international accreditation confers no Title IV or direct financial benefit. Across nations we share interests in DEI and equitable student achievement; in evidence to support decision-making, improvement, and strong outcomes; in developing a new generation of higher education leaders, and sustaining institutional independence in complex times. This exchange of ideas is valuable as WSCUC expands our national and international scope.

Finally, July is the season for a warm welcome to new Commissioners – five exceptional leaders this year – and thanks to WSCUC’s new Chair-elect, Professor Tracy Poon Tambascia (USC Rossiter School of Education) for her vision for advancing student success through WSCUC’s commitment to equity and evidence.

Jamie Studley

 

WSCUC Releases Equity and Inclusion Guide

As a centerpiece of WSCUC’s Strategic Goals and Objectives to advance quality and student success, equity and inclusion is receiving an enhanced focus, including through the development of an Equity and Inclusion Guide. Read more.

 

Commission Policy Changes and Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Changes

The Commission has approved updates to the Gifts Policy and the Ownership of Stock in Publicly Traded Institutions Policy, and WSCUC is requesting comments on the Review of Commission Standards Policy, the Title IV Compliance Policy, and the Review of Commission Policies and Definitions of Commission Documents Policy. Read more.

 

Educational Programming Updates

WSCUC’s Accreditation Leadership Academy will be up and running in August, and the ARC2023 is scheduled for April 19-21, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, CA. Read more.

 

New Commissioners and Departing Commissioners

WSCUC added new commissioners, elected its 2022-2023 slate of officers, and approved committee rosters at its June 24, 2022, business meeting. It also said farewell to three commissioners who finished their terms. Read more.

 

Commission Actions

Also at its June meeting, the Commission took action on many institutions. Copies of the Commission Action Letters (CALs) and visiting team reports relating to the actions are available on the WSCUC website on each institutions’ page.

 

WSCUC Commission Calendar​​​

• ​​​​Commission Retreat Meeting
  November 2-4, 2022
• Commission Meeting
  February 22-24, 2023
• Commission Meeting
  June 28 – 30, 2023