Five-Star Review

Sometimes news is so good, it takes a moment to process. After the results of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities’ accreditation evaluation report were read at a Weber State University site visit in October, audience members paused, then erupted in applause.

The accreditation team’s preliminary report praised WSU in five areas. In addition, the university received no official recommendations, defined as areas for improvement, from the committee. 

“As an accreditation reviewer of other universities’ programs, I have never before seen a report without a single recommendation,” said WSU Provost Michael Vaughan.

WSU received the following commendations for exemplary performance:

For the people comprising the university committing to a complex mission that includes not just open access, but also the attainment of a diploma;

For the offices of Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Research, in regard to their development and distribution of timely data in support of the university’s mission, objectives and core themes;

For providing exceptional opportunities and enhanced access through the institution’s Dream Weber program and Weber State’s partnership with the Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering and Science (NUAMES);

For the university’s fulfillment of its mission to provide public service and community-based learning through entities such as the Center for Community Engaged Learning, the Student Involvement and Leadership program, and collaborating partners; and 

For the degree to which curricula, faculty and staff responsibilities, and support services — such as academic, library, student and infrastructure support — are integrated across WSU’s dual mission and multiple locations.

The report and campus visit required more than 70 individuals to contribute over 1,000 hours in preparation, guided by Associate Provost Ryan Thomas.

“The review team’s preliminary report is a great testament to Weber State’s dedication to our mission,” said President Charles A. Wight. “The remarkable achievements of this university are the result of the hard work of our faculty, staff and students. I congratulate them all for their commitment to excellence.”