University prepares campus for WASC
Campus Times
March 20, 1998
by Alicia Gibson
Assistant Managing Editor
The University of La Verne is preparing for another visit from the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the accreditation board for
colleges and universities in California, Hawaii and Guam.
There are more than 150 universities that are members of this association.
WASC does a comprehensive visit every 10 years and an interim visit in between.
The group's last visit to ULV was in 1995, and the next visit is expected
in the spring of 2000.
WASC sends a 16-member team of specialists to the University, where
they will spend approximately two and a half days inspecting nine aspects
of the college. WASC has complete access to everything and anything they
wish to see.
There are nine minimum standards WASC expects all its institutions to
meet. WASC will access and evaluate how the University meets these standards.
Some standards are the governing body, education program, faculty and facilities.
After their visit to ULV, they will then visit the off campus centers
and check for the same standards to be in compliance there.
The WASC visiting committee will write a report and submit it to the
commission which meets that June. The WASC commission will then act on this
report, by assessing ULV.
The University is preparing in many ways for this visit. ULV has already
started the self study program, which states how the university is in compliance
of all the standards that WASC seeks.
La Verne was ranked a premiere model of quality assurance by WASC in
their last visit. Both Dr. William Cook, vice president of academic affairs,
and President Stephen Morgan would like to affirm the status received in
1995.
"We were in very good shape. We came through excellently,"
said Dr. Cook.
One aspect that La Verne is struggling to be in compliance with is assessment.
Institutions must pursue and assess their programs. This is a new standard
and most schools are working to institute this program.
Dr. Cook and Dr. Morgan are looking forward to the WASC visit and plan
to be in compliance in all areas necessary.
"Last time WASC came we came through with flying colors. We got
very high marks," said Dr. Morgan.
