October 2013
ACCREDITATION UPDATE
www.fresnostate.edu/wasc/
WASC: WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO US?
TIMELINE
Fall 2013
◆ Draft of WASC
Narrative
◆ Meet with WASC staff
liaison
Spring 2014
◆ Compilation and analysis of data
and learning outcomes
◆ Collect external
benchmarked data
◆ Submit annual reports
Fall 2014
◆ Prepare pre-offsite
review worksheets
◆ Distribute offsite
review worksheets
◆ Offsite review
Spring 2015
◆ Accreditation visit
◆ Hold commission
meeting
◆ Take action on review
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) aims “to promote the welfare, interests,
and development of education in the Western Region.” The central purpose of WASC Accreditation
is “to assure its stakeholders that a WASC-accredited institution has been rigorously evaluated and
that it meets or exceeds the criteria required to maintain accreditation.” Accreditation ensures to
the public that our institution’s academic programs meet nationally recognized standards of quality.
In addition, regional accreditation is required for our students to qualify for participation in federal
financial aid programs.
PROGRESS REPORT
Since the last review in 2005, Fresno State has continued to compile and analyze a variety of
data, such as retention and graduation rates, time to degree, core competencies, student learning
outcomes, etc. These elements are part of the continual review and assessment process at Fresno
State and are required for re-accreditation.
At the September 19, 2013, WASC committee meeting, the committee set in motion the
preliminary procedures for putting together the institutional report for our WASC accreditation
review. The institutional report is based on the outcomes of our self study and includes eight
components that are outlined in the WASC 2013 Handbook. The executive committee asigned
separate essays of the self study to various teams. These teams are charged with submitting a report
(7-10 pages) that summarizes what has been done, how items were assessed, what was found, and,
if apropriate, what future plans will be addressed in the coming years. The teams will submit their
reports to the executive committee co-chair no later than December 2, 2013. From these draft
reports, the committee will compile the institutional report for WASC. Finally, the committee is in
the process of deciding on the time-line for our off-site review.
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
An important element of the WASC accreditation process is keeping the campus and community
informed about the process. The communication subcommittee was charged with developing a
communication plan to help promote awareness of the WASC process and our progress. To date,
the subcommittee has developed a plan that includes:
• Develop a newsletter that will be distributed to the campus via the website.
• Maintain and update the website: www.fresnostate.edu/wasc/
• Develop a “quick reference” bookmark that briefly explains the WASC accreditation
process and why it’s important to Fresno State.
• Develop communication resources that are targeted more toward students in order to
capture their attention while also promoting awareness of the WASC accreditation
process.
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF ME & MY DEPARTMENT?
• Follow your Student Outcomes Assessment Plan (SOAP) and collect data on the
achievement of student learning outcomes according to your timeline.
• Use your assessment results to adjust curriculum accordingly.
• Document your assessment activity in the Annual Report.
• If your Department offers courses in the General Education Program, participate in the assessment of the General Education Learning Outcomes.