Members of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation team, who conducted an Educational Effectiveness Review of BYU-Hawaii from March 26-28, shared a brief, "very positive" oral report with university administrators and faculty before departing campus.
Dr. Stan D. Gaede [pictured at upper left] — Scholar in Residence at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts; chairman of the review team, and member of the 2006 Preparatory and Capacity Review teams — indicated "there are some things that remain very much apparent to us from our last review [in 2006], things that have not changed and continue to persist wonderfully, I would say, at BYU-Hawaii."
"First is your deep care and love for the mission of the university. That's obvious across the board, from the president and faculty, the administration and students, both new and old. This is a treasure, by the way. Not only is it the most important ingredient in really achieving your mission, but it makes this a great place to work, and we would encourage you, don't take it lightly."
Gaede complimented the "genuine embracing of the need to establish outcomes and foster a culture of assessment across the board. This isn't the same in each area, and some have come to it more quickly than others, but this isn't a foreign idea, either. It is part of your DNA."
He also recognized that students are "at the point. This isn't a place where faculty just teach for themselves or staff work just to advance their careers. Instead, you know you're here to make a difference in the lives of your students."
"You remain a very unusual and even unique place," Gaede continued. "How many colleges can boast the kind of international diversity you have here in your students. Those that might get close, don't have anything like the commitment to returnability and the desire to see these same students go back to their homelands to make a difference."
Gaede next shared a sampling of commendations, including the desire to be cost effective. "Schools with your kind of church support could take it for granted to keep asking for more, and not trying to be good stewards of what you have been given," he said. He also noted BYU-Hawaii has recently hired more female faculty, promoting some to department chairs, and providing "outstanding support for faculty development and assessment of teaching."
Gaede then shared three recommendations: "Your commitment to teaching is a good one, important, in fact; but it is not distinct from good scholarship. Teachers, to be effective, must be constantly learning," he said.
Second, Gaede noted the review team has not had adequate time to review the effectiveness of the new strategic planning process initiated by BYU-Hawaii's new president. "Don't let down on your overall efforts to proceed with your strategic planning process," he said. "Think holistically and strategically in the days ahead."
Finally, Gaede said the team encourages BYUH to "hire and retain the very best faculty, moving ahead with housing efforts, workload adjustments, diversity goals and compensation objectives. These are all very huge endeavors, we know, but they are crucial to keep the very best faculty committed to the mission of the school and able to carry it out."
Other members of the review team were also complimentary. For example:
Dr. Bobby Fong, President of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, who was making his third accreditation team visit to BYU-Hawaii, said, "It's been a real pleasure to see the growth and maturation of the campus. Obviously, a constant has been its dedication to students, to teaching, and to faith within the tenets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I've deeply enjoyed meeting faculty again and again."
"The work on assessment here is a new model of what many colleges and universities, not just in WASC but in the United States, ought to do," he added. "I think like my teammates, we're inspired by the thoroughness in which the system for assessment has been set up."
Dr. Michael Jackson, Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Southern California, who was making his second visit to BYUH, said he was "really impressed with the warm generosity of spirit and dedication to the service of others, and the commitment to building the university community that is ecumenical and multicultural. I wish everyone the best as you continue to develop this model, because it's very unique."
Dr. April R. Komenaka-Scazzola, Interim Dean of the College of Continuing Education and Community Service at the University of Hawaii-Hilo and assistant chair of the review team, who has also visited BYU-Hawaii twice before, praised the faculty: "They are so dedicated. They love working together. They love trying out new things. I think you're blessed with your faculty, and your very dedicated staff as well."
Two other accrediting team member who were not able to join the oral presentation included: Dr. Gregory White, Interim Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, and Sciences at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California; and Dr. Richard Winn, WASC Associate Director and liaison for BYU-Hawaii.
"Clearly, the team did a wonderful job preparing for the WASC visit. Great thanks to everybody who has worked day and night to get this done," responded BYU-Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright after the presentation. "The fact that we have such a strong commitment to the university on everybody's part helps a lot."
Dr. William Neal, Assistant to the President, explained that BYU-Hawaii will receive a preliminary written draft of the review team's report toward the end of April, and a final report before President Wheelwright attends a WASC Commission meeting in June. "They'll notify us by letter, sometime in July, indicating their decision," he said, adding that universities seek a 10-year accreditation approval.