Contact: Jeanette DeDiemar

Executive Director

Integrated Marketing and Communications

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

(920) 424-2442

dediemarj@uwosh.edu

http://www.uwosh.edu/

 

UW Oshkosh receives continued accreditation
for next 10 years

 

OSHKOSH, Wis. (7/23/07) — The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has received unconditional re-accreditation for the maximum period of ten years (2007-2017) in recognition of its sustained improvement and the strength of its programs.

 

This strong endorsement by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States, is important given the very difficult fiscal and economic times that UW Oshkosh and the other UW institutions have experienced recently. During the past six years, the funding received has not kept up with inflation, and additionally $12 million has been cut from the UW Oshkosh budget.

 

“The NCA’s external site evaluation team observed everyone across the institution pulling together to support the effective delivery of the University’s strategic and operational plan,” said Chancellor Richard Wells. Wells singled out UW Oshkosh’s Points of Pride and major accomplishments, including increased accessibility and enhanced quality of education for northeastern Wisconsin’s citizens (see Chancellor’s Report, pages 4 and 5).

 

One issue related to accessibility, according to Wells, is the affordability of higher education for the New North. Currently under review by the Conference Committee is the Governor’s proposal for Wisconsin’s Growth Agenda, which would provide expanded access for citizens to high-demand educational programs.

 

“It is imperative for the conference committee to likewise endorse the funding necessary for the Growth Agenda,” said Wells. The Growth Agenda was endorsed and supported by Governor Doyle, the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, and the State Senate; however, the State Assembly has recommended very significant budget cuts that would decrease educational access and quality for Wisconsin citizens.

 

“We are delighted with the recommendation of HLC, which recognizes our continued focus on UW Oshkosh’s mission to serve the citizens of Northeastern Wisconsin in times of budget constraints and decreased state support,” said Wells.

 

A 12-member site team, led by Dr. Judith Powell of the University of Wyoming and comprised of academic leaders from across the Midwest, visited the campus in March. Its recommendation for accreditation led to the HLC’s Board of Trustee’s validation on July 23.

 

The commission specifically recognized “the development and implementation of UW Oshkosh’s first comprehensive strategic and operational plan (initiated in 2001), which has raised the level of academic preparedness and retention of first-year students, strengthened the enrollment of students of color, increased the number of degrees conferred and developed a distinctiveness for community and regional engagement as well as its ‘green’ and sustainability initiatives.”

 

According to the HLC report, “enrollment increases to generate additional resources were not practical, since the numbers of traditional age students in the region from which the University draws from is projected to remain level and even decrease in the next several years. The budgetary situation has posed significant challenges to the University with regard to its goals of maintaining education programs, maintaining and expanding student support services, maintaining and improving an extensive physical plant, covering fixed institutional costs, and advancing its mission.”  Another dimension to these challenges pointed out by the HLC report was the impact of the lack of sufficient funding for faculty and staff compensation.

 

Preparation for the accreditation and site visit included a comprehensive five-year self-study led by the University’s faculty and staff, which engaged the campus and greater community in an open assessment of the issues and challenges facing the institution as well as recommendations for solutions.

 

The University also recognized the commission’s recommendation to review its role in liberal education, a key focus of the institution. “We are pushing hard to reform liberal education, a ‘key to fully developing human talent and a free society’,” said Wells.

 

To ensure that a university-wide liberal education reform plan remains a priority, Wells and Provost Lane Earns recently charged a group of faculty, staff and students to work toward goals that embrace—and redefine—liberal education.

 

The team will form a plan based upon the Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) initiative set forth by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and supported by the State of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin System. LEAP emphasizes that the goal of a liberal education in the 21st century is for students to attain a comprehensive set of aims and outcomes that are essential in all fields.

 

“A liberal education introduces students to multiple perspectives and develops their independent, critical judgment,” Earns said.  “Introduction to new perspectives leads students to question preexisting beliefs, and this prepares them to function in a diverse and rapidly changing global environment.”                                        

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For more information on The Higher Learning Commission link here: http://www.ncahlc.org/

For more information on UW Oshkosh’s strategic and operational plans link here:

http://www.uwosh.edu/strategicplan/keyoperation/memoandtimeline.php

For more information on the UW Oshkosh re-accreditation process link here:  http://www.uwosh.edu/nca_accreditation/  

 

For more information or to set up an interview with Chancellor Wells, contact Jeanette DeDiemar at DeDiemarj@uwosh.edu at (920) 424-2442.