2008 Woodie Awards
Webster preps for scrutiny
By: Lanz Christian Banes
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: News
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The first half of a two-part accreditation process for the university is nearing completion.
Accreditation is a process of quality assurance based on specific criteria, said Kathy Marlock, director of Academic Assessment. Both entire universities and specific programs and colleges within that university can be accredited.
In this case, Webster University is being accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to keep its standing with the North Central Association, the largest of several regional academic commissions that accredit higher learning institutions. The HLC gives accreditations for 10 years based on five criteria and will cover all of WU's programs at all locations worldwide.
"(Institutional accreditation) allows you to issue degrees that are recognized," said Jim Staley, associate vice president for Academic Affairs.
Academic Affairs is the department coordinating the accreditation process.
The first part of the process is a self-study, an analytical report by WU staff and faculty that addresses the HLC criteria, which ranges from a detailed look at Webster's mission statement to examining how much and how effectively students learn. The second part is an on-site peer review, which will take place March 21 to April 3, 2008.
The self-study
The self-study, which is in its draft stages and is currently being revised, looks at a university's strengths and weaknesses and explains what the university's plans are to address those weaknesses.
"It was intense - we certainly had to think critically about the criteria and about how our evidence (supported) the criteria," said Laura Rein, dean of Emerson Library.
The self-study process is coordinated by a steering committee that consists of the chairpersons of sub-committees that each analyze a specific HLC criteria, said Staley, chairman of the steering committee. There are five sub-committees corresponding with the five criteria and consisting of seven to 10 staff and faculty.
Accreditation is a process of quality assurance based on specific criteria, said Kathy Marlock, director of Academic Assessment. Both entire universities and specific programs and colleges within that university can be accredited.
In this case, Webster University is being accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to keep its standing with the North Central Association, the largest of several regional academic commissions that accredit higher learning institutions. The HLC gives accreditations for 10 years based on five criteria and will cover all of WU's programs at all locations worldwide.
"(Institutional accreditation) allows you to issue degrees that are recognized," said Jim Staley, associate vice president for Academic Affairs.
Academic Affairs is the department coordinating the accreditation process.
The first part of the process is a self-study, an analytical report by WU staff and faculty that addresses the HLC criteria, which ranges from a detailed look at Webster's mission statement to examining how much and how effectively students learn. The second part is an on-site peer review, which will take place March 21 to April 3, 2008.
The self-study
The self-study, which is in its draft stages and is currently being revised, looks at a university's strengths and weaknesses and explains what the university's plans are to address those weaknesses.
"It was intense - we certainly had to think critically about the criteria and about how our evidence (supported) the criteria," said Laura Rein, dean of Emerson Library.
The self-study process is coordinated by a steering committee that consists of the chairpersons of sub-committees that each analyze a specific HLC criteria, said Staley, chairman of the steering committee. There are five sub-committees corresponding with the five criteria and consisting of seven to 10 staff and faculty.
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