{"id":677,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:41","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/neascaccreditationrenewal\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:18:41","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:41","slug":"neascaccreditationrenewal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/neascaccreditationrenewal\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 WCSU receives accreditation renewal from NEASC"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 Western Connecticut State University<\/a> has received notification from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges<\/a> (NEASC) that the association\u2019s Commission on Institutions of Higher Education has approved the renewal of Western\u2019s accreditation certifying that the university remains in compliance with NEASC\u2019s rigorous standards.<\/p>\n

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In a letter<\/a> dated June 4, 2014, Commission Chair Jean Wyld informed WCSU President James Schmotter of the action taken on April 25 to continue the university\u2019s accreditation. The Commission\u2019s decision followed a two-year process of self-study<\/a> conducted by the university community and a site visit to Western in fall 2013 by a NEASC team of faculty and administrators from colleges across New England, who submitted their report<\/a> to the Commission in November. Western has held NEASC accreditation continuously since 1957.<\/p>\n

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The Commission commended the \u201ccomprehensive and well-written self-study\u201d submitted by WCSU and noted with approval the university\u2019s clear articulation of its mission and its open and transparent structure of shared governance. Wyld\u2019s letter singled out a diversity of accomplishments since NEASC\u2019s last major accreditation review of Western a decade ago including the establishment of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, introduction of a new education doctoral program in instructional leadership, a 100 percent pass rate for WCSU nursing students in the state board examination, and adoption of a tiered, competency-based model for general education by the University Senate.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAs demonstrated through the self-study and acknowledged by the (NEASC) team, WCSU is committed to the comprehensive assessment of institutional effectiveness,\u201d Wyld said. \u201cWe note with favor that more than 650 members of the campus community are involved in various planning initiatives, and the academic program review process was recently modified to include the assessment of program viability and alignment with the university\u2019s strategic plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Wyld praised Western\u2019s highly qualified faculty comprised of \u201cactive, engaged scholars and practitioners,\u201d observing that the university\u2019s mission is carried out successfully through \u201ceffective and excellent teaching.\u201d The Commission also recognized the university\u2019s provision of a wide range of academic and student services.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe share the judgment of the team that there is much to celebrate in the university\u2019s growth and development over the last decade,\u201d Wyld wrote. \u201cWith a highly respected and able president, a new, energetic and competent senior leadership team, and dedicated faculty and staff, Western Connecticut State University is well positioned for future success.\u201d<\/p>\n

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In keeping with its policy requirements for periodic accreditation reviews, NEASC has requested Western to submit a fifth-year interim report for its consideration in fall 2018. The Commission indicated that the interim report should give specific emphasis to achievement of enrollment, retention and graduation goals, assessment of student learning outcomes, implementation of the university\u2019s strategic plan, and evaluation of the impact of higher education governance changes in the state of Connecticut. The Commission also instructed the university to submit a separate report in spring 2016 to provide an update on the implementation of a new online Ed.D. in Nursing Education program that is being offered in a collaboration between WCSU and Southern Connecticut State University.<\/p>\n

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NEASC has scheduled its next comprehensive evaluation of WCSU for fall 2023. \u201cThe Commission hopes that the evaluation process has contributed to institutional improvement,\u201d Wyld wrote. \u201cIt appreciates your cooperation with the effort to provide public assurance of the quality of higher education in New England.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.<\/p>\n

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Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

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Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York.<\/em>\u00a0Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics<\/em>\u00a0of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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