Feb. 9, 2010

Accreditation Team Here Looking for Feedback on the Future

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cal Poly is hosting a visiting team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) on campus Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 10-12.

The team's visit is part of the process of re-affirming the university's accreditation, a review which happens every 10 years. The WASC team members are faculty and administrators from peer universities.

WASC accreditation is means of assuring the value of Cal Poly degrees and the university's eligibility for federal funding. The visiting team wants to know what Cal Poly faculty, staff and students think about Cal Poly and its ability to provide a high-quality education.

Open forums with the visiting WASC team are tentatively set for:

Staff: Wednesday, February 10, 2-3 p.m., UU 220
Faculty: Thursday, February 11, 10-11 a.m., UU 220
Students: Thursday, February 11, 11-noon, UU Bishop’s Lounge
Exit Interview: Friday, February 12, 8:15 a.m., Philips Hall, 06-124

For more information on the WASC process and to read a summary of the report Cal Poly submitted to WASC, please go to http://wasc.calpoly.edu.

Participants are encouraged to read the Cal Poly self-study before attending the sessions.

University President Warren Baker sent an e-mail to campus encouraging participation. “During my 30 years as president of Cal Poly, I have participated in four WASC self-studies. I believe it is fair to say that the 2010 report is the best one I have seen," he said. "It focuses on very pertinent and important themes and has a real chance of doing considerable good for the institution. I congratulate all involved in the development of this outstanding work of analysis and reflection.”