Under the next phase of review by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Humboldt State will identify its long-term goals, map a strategy to achieve them and produce evidence its objectives are being met. Reaffirmation normally takes several years to reach fruition.
A recent report by the WASC’s visiting team encouraged Humboldt State to augment its institutional strengths with streamlined budgeting and decision-making, a major reduction in the number of committees and more cohesive curricular oversight.
The WASC team also encouraged the University to proceed with program prioritization, buttress student writing proficiency and create an Office or Director of Diversity, Equity and Retention to foster the success of underrepresented students.
It further urged the campus to develop alternative revenue sources, “including targeted marketing efforts and additional investment in fundraising.” The University has initiatives of several years standing on both fronts.
Providing additional time to HSU to meet these objectives, the WASC Visitation Team postponed the University’s Educational Effectiveness Review until Spring 2010 from Fall 2009.
President Rollin Richmond said, “This is a continuation of a long process for the continuing improvement of HSU. Many faculty and staff spent countless hours over the last two years on the first phase of our WASC proposal. In a very real sense, this process never stops—it is not a one-time test.”
The President noted that the goals WASC has set forth “are in complete alignment with our 10-year strategic plan to provide our students with the best hands-on education, comprehensive faculty mentoring and greater diversity. Every university is asked to improve itself in the accreditation process; that is commendable and we are fully committed to doing so.”
The full text of the WASC report is posted at www.humboldt.edu/~wasc.