Sven Alskog
News Editor
After an extensive process through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Idaho State University’s accreditation has been renewed.
ISU submitted a 310-page report to the NWCCU on Sept. 2, 2014 prior to an on-site visit in October by the accrediting body. A four-page letter back to University President Arthur Vailas from Sandra Elman, president of the NWCCU, followed the visit informing the university of findings from the report and visit.
Areas of strength for ISU were listed as the safety of the campus, the support programs available for diverse students and community outreach. The NWCCU also applauded the university for the way it is going about program prioritization, which has taken place throughout many departments on campus.
The letter reaffirmed the accreditation while also listing multiple areas for the university to address moving forward over the next few years.
“The evaluation committee recommends that the institution continues to work to clarify the ways in which it will use assessment results to inform and strengthen programs and services, and to demonstrate institutional improvement, mission fulfillment, and sustainability,” read Elman’s letter to Vailas.
The recommendations were made, although the university was found to be in compliance in the areas.
“In making these requests, the Commission finds that Recommendations 1, 2, 3 and the newly revised Recommendation 4 of the Fall 2014 Year Seven Mission Fulfillment and Sustainability Peer-Evaluation Report are areas where Idaho State University is substantially in compliance with Commission criteria for accreditation, but in need of improvement,” wrote Elman.
“We will address these recommendations as we work together as a campus community in our strategic planning efforts,” Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Laura Woodworth-Ney said in a university press release.
The NWCCU is a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education which oversees 162 universities and colleges in seven states throughout the northwest. These states include Nevada, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Utah and Oregon.
“We are pleased that the NWCCU and the peer evaluation committee recognized ISU’s commitment to academic quality,” added Woodworth-Ney.
