Plans for re-accreditation are under way

Although the visit to campus by a team of evaluators for Sacramento State’s re-accreditation is not until 2007, the University is already in the pivotal stage of developing self-evaluations of its academic programs, campus life and community engagement.

“We are now beginning a process for the University to take a very close look at what we do and how we can improve student learning,” said Mike Lee, associate vice president and dean of academic programs, who is leading re-accreditation planning efforts on campus.

The University is set to come up for re-accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or WASC, in 2007. WASC, which requires re-accreditation by its members every 10 years, is one of the six regional accrediting associations in the country. Sacramento State last received re-accreditation in 1997.

Work to prepare for the March 12-14, 2007 visit by the WASC team is already moving ahead. In April, WASC approved the University’s institutional proposal, which gives a broad overview of the University. The proposal was so well received that WASC is using it as a model for other universities, Lee said. The institutional proposal is available on-line at www.oir.csus.edu/wasc.

Academic programs, campus life and community engagement—areas identified in Destination 2010 as central to student learning—will be the focus of the campus WASC Phase II Committee as it assesses Sacramento State’s capacity in those areas and makes recommendations for improvement.

Subcommittees will spend the fall collecting data for preliminary reports due by the end of the semester. The reports then will be presented to the campus for comment in the spring. The subcommittees, whose work is being coordinated by WASC Phase II committee chair and professor of communication studies Val Smith, are comprised of nearly two dozen faculty, administrators and alums.

“We want to first gather all the data and put together our reports so we can have something that the campus community can review,” said Lee. “We are going to seek input from everyone on campus so we can really find out what we can do to improve student learning on this campus.”

The subcommittee chairs are Jeffery Brodd, assistant professor of humanities and religious studies, for Academic Programs; Patricia Grady, coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center, for Campus Life; Frank Whitlatch, interim associate vice president for public affairs, for Community Engagement and Impact; and Sutee Sujitparapitaya, director of institutional research, for Strategic Planning Support.

In addition to collecting data, the subcommittees will probe issues central to improving student learning, Lee said. They will ask: Are students achieving their baccalaureate learning goals? What learning outcomes does the University want from co-curricular and experiential learning programs? Are students developing leadership skills and a commitment to civic engagement?

To ensure campuswide input for the WASC report, presentations and forums will be held next semester to discuss the draft reports. Lee also plans to produce an electronic newsletter on WASC planning issues for faculty and staff.

Right now, members of the campus community can go to the University’s Electronic Portfolio web site at www.csu.edu/porfolio/index.htm to find out about the self-study plans listed by more than 20 departments. For additional information about re-accreditation planning visit www.oir.csus.edu/wasc or contact Lee at 278-6331.

— Ted DeAdwyler