WASC Process: An Update August 19, 2008 Greg Crawford, Chair HSU WASC Steering Committee

WASC/HSU Timeline (Spring 2008 Convocation) Proposal Submitted Proposal Approved Capacity and Preparatory Review Educational Effectiveness Review Progress Report/New Proposal WASC Institutional Review Cycle (in years) We were here

WASC/HSU Timeline (Today) Proposal Submitted Proposal Approved Capacity and Preparatory Review Educational Effectiveness Review Progress Report/New Proposal New WASC Institutional Review Cycle (in years) Now we’re here

Key WASC Feedback (Letter from Ralph Wolff, President/Executive Director, WASC, to President Richmond, June 25, 2008) They expect substantial progress in: – Outcomes assessment (university, major programs, GE) – Use of data culture of evidence Improve decision making (e.g., strategic planning) – “Making Excellence Inclusive” initiative – Establishment of priorities – Alignment of resources with priorities – Effective decision-making processes to support priorities

Key WASC Feedback, Continued (Letter from Ralph Wolff, President/Executive Director, WASC, to President Richmond, June 25, 2008) “The Standards of Accreditation place special emphasis on student learning and on the obligation of institutions to assess student learning and identify ways to improve it. HSU has a history of beginning such efforts but failing to sustain them.” “Assessment should also be used to support the success of students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds ….”

Status: Assessment of The Seven HSU Learning Outcomes (LO’s) New coordinator position: Dr. Judith Little LO: Effective oral/written communication – Fall ’07: data collection (GWPE) – Spring ‘08: task force recommendations to Senate LO: Expanded world perspective – Spring ‘08: data collection (GWPE) – Aug. 25: analysis – Fall ‘08: interpret results, develop plans Three more LO’s (to be determined): – Fall ‘08: data collection (GWPE)

Status: Making Excellence Inclusive New part-time coordinator position (Aug. 2008): Dr. Llyn Smith Goals: – student body reflects the diversity of California high school graduates – retention and graduation rates meet or exceed CSU averages, with no gaps by ethnicity Program Assessment: – AY : Pilot study 14 programs: self-analysis (strengths, weaknesses; identification of at least two activities) – AY Recruitment / retention / graduation data: broad dissemination Voluntary “call-to-arms” – AY (planned): Follow-up with pilot study programs (what to do next) 6 new programs identified to start in Fall 2008; 6 more in Spring 2009

Some Challenges to Resolve Coherence among institutional, program, and GE outcomes Integration of “inclusive excellence” outcomes at multiple levels Embedding assessment in the curriculum and co-curriculum

Tasks and Rough Timeline Spring ‘09 Begin Writing EER Report Fall ‘09 Vet Draft EER Report With Campus Dec. ‘09 EER Report Delivered to WASC Mar. ‘10? EER Site Visit

For more information: