Following a comprehensive, multi-stage review process over the past two years, the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) has reaffirmed Brigham Young University Hawaii's accreditation for the next 10 years.
"Congratulations on the successful completion of the accreditation review process," said WASC President and Executive Director Ralph A. Wolff in a recent letter to BYU-Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright. The letter also commended the university for:
- "Continuing its history of providing solid educational programs for a very diverse student population and for preparing students well to return to their home countries with employable skills and a vision for making a difference in the world."
- "The institution's comprehensive and user-friendly achievement data system (the assessment e-portfolio) is not only beneficial to the BYUH faculty and staff, but is also recognized as exemplary by other institutions in the region."
- "The significant work of the General Education Committee in identifying the core qualities of a generally educated person, in integrating these qualities as outcomes within the curriculum, and in setting performance measures and benchmarks to assess their achievement."
- "The cross-discipline work of the University Assessment Committee in designing and implementing promising program reviews and in providing feedback to departments and co-curricular units on an annual basis."
"We're delighted that the Western Association of Schools & Colleges has reaffirmed our accreditation," responded BYUH President Wheelwright. "We are committed to focusing on the core strengths they commended us for. We will also continue to refine our strategic initiatives while reorganizing BYU-Hawaii to lower costs, increase the quality of education and incorporate assessment throughout the institution."
"I also appreciate the efforts of the faculty and staff in successfully completing this five-year cycle," said Dr. William Neal, Assistant to the President, who oversaw much of it. "However, we do recognize that the accreditation process, under the new guidelines, is ongoing and that we'll need to continue to do all those things we have been doing in order to meet WASC expectations."
The WASC Commission's next comprehensive Capacity and Preparatory Review will be conducted in spring 2017, and the next Educational Effectiveness Review in fall 2018.