Accreditation team identifies institutional aims
By John Shields, Chairman
WASC Self-Study Steering Committee
WASC Commission guidelines require the campus to "Define Institutional
Purposes and Ensure Educational Objectives." Two of the engagement
questions posed by accreditation Standard #1 help focus the internal review
and external evaluation of the university:
(A) To what extent are institutional purposes broadly understood by members
of the institutional community and communicated clearly and consistently
to external constituencies? (B) In what ways does the institution ensure
that its educational objectives are actively used as guides for decision-making,
resource allocation and action?
These are addressed in the Institutional Capacity Report being prepared
by the Self-Study Steering Committee. (Each purpose and goal, distilled
from a multitude of documents, is linked to one of the three accreditation
themes of Fresno State Opportunity, Exploration and Interaction.)
Institutional Purposes (Reason for Being)
- Offer quality academic degree and continuing education programs at
the undergraduate and graduate levels that are fully accredited and/or
known for their excellence. (Opportunity)
- Provide educational access to qualified students, especially those
from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented populations, through
various modalities on and off campus. (Opportunity)
- Promote and support outstanding scholarly/creative activity and pure/applied
research by faculty, particularly the generation and extension of knowledge
benefiting the region. (Interaction)
- Be a leading partner in education/training, research and cultural affairs
with industry, government, school districts and community groups for economic
development and improved quality of life. (Interaction)
- Establish an environment reflecting and encouraging integrity and ethical
standards in individual behavior and organizational conduct. (Exploration)
Educational Goals (Effectiveness in Being)
- Ensure a positive campus atmosphere that promotes inclusiveness and
understanding of others and prepares graduates for life and work in a multicultural
society. (Opportunity)
- Foster a "learning community" on campus that is actively
engaged in discovery of knowledge, development of skills, and acquisition
of experience. (Exploration)
- Instill a culture of continual learning and improvement for all educational
endeavors and the systems that support them. (Exploration)
- Recruit, mentor and support faculty as productive scholars and effective
teachers. (Opportunity)
- Encourage and support leadership development, civic involvement and
on-going service to the community. (Interaction)
Back to University Journal, 4/03 Issue