Greetings, colleagues,
Reports on public sentiment of the value of higher education have me thinking about how accreditation can contribute to strengthening the public’s trust and confidence in higher education’s long-term value. At WSCUC we bolster trust with Standards of Accreditation that articulate the values that underpin our accreditation. Those Standards express a commitment to success for all students, ensure institutional quality, and promote institutional cultures of evidence and improvement.
Today we release of the revised Handbook that accompanies the 2022 Standards. This Handbook provides guidance and information for those seeking accreditation, peer review teams, and the public. We hope you find it helpful as you think about how your institution can reflect on and meet the 2022 Standards.
We know that meaningful information about outcomes is directly related to the conversation about the value of higher education. An update to WSCUC’s Key Indicators Dashboard presents new earnings data for WSCUC institutions, which can be used to show how they are meeting the 2022 Standards.
ICYMI, in early April Inside Higher Ed ran an opinion piece I wrote that compared accreditors to referees. I was under the thrall of March Madness, but a rule book, smooth flow of fair play, and not letting external forces disrupt the game still have their parallels to an accreditor’s role. You can read the piece here. I’d be interested in your thoughts about how we can explain the meaning and value of accreditation.
Finally, July is the season for a bittersweet farewell to departing Commissioners and a warm welcome to new ones. Seven valued Commissioners left the Commission while five exceptional leaders have joined.
The Commission, staff, and I are deeply grateful to Phillip Doolittle for his three years as Chair. His wisdom, dedication to DEI, and sophisticated understanding of accreditation and institutional effectiveness, plus his innate diplomacy and kindness, enriched our work. We also welcome our new Chair, Professor Tracy Poon Tambascia (USC Rossier School of Education), and look forward to her continued leadership and insights on effective accreditation and advancing equity and inclusion.
Jamie Studley
Recent US Department of Education updates to the College Scorecard allow WSCUC to update the Key Indicators Dashboard (KID) with valuable new earnings data that can be used as evidence for CFR 2.11 in the 2022 Standards. Read more.
Mark your calendar to attend the 2024 Accreditation Resource Conference (ARC) April 18 – 20, 2024 at the beautiful Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.
WSCUC workshops for the 2023-2024 academic year will feature valuable explorations of student success, propelling evidence into action, and defining approaches to diversity and equity that align with the unique mission of each institution. Read more.
The Commission has approved updates to the Proprietary Information Policy. WSCUC is requesting comments on the Public Access to the Commission Policy and the Periods of Accreditation Guide. Read more.
WSCUC added new commissioners, elected its 2023-2024 slate of officers, and approved committee rosters at its June 30, 2023, business meeting. It also said farewell to seven commissioners who finished their time on the Commission. Read more.
Also at its June meeting, the Commission took institutional actions. Copies of the Commission Action Letters (CALs) and visiting team reports relating to the actions are available on the WSCUC website on each institution’s page.
WSCUC welcomes Resource Specialist Jackie Gee. Read more.
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