Assessment is the word on everyone’s mind this year as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) one of six regional accrediting bodies came to Pepperdine on Wednesday Thursday and Friday (Sept. 22 through Sept. 25) to prospectively renew Pepperdine’s accreditation. The organization makes its collegiate rounds once every 10 years.
During this visit the WASC delivered comments about aspects of the university environment that Pepperdine could improve upon. In 18 months they plan to return to do another visit and observe if such changes were accomplished.
Some of these items include assessment creating an environment that enhances diversity and having more student involvement in decision-making on campus.
The previous time that Pepperdine was re-accredited was about a decade ago in the 2000-2001 school year. The university was given a 10-year affirmation the maximum amount that an institution can receive.
Assistant Provost in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness Christopher Collins explains that WASC has shifted their emphases since the last time that Pepperdine was re-accredited.
“As soon as we got the ten-year affirmation the WASC moved to the assessment model which is new Collins said. The old model is ‘Do you have a library? Do you have classrooms? Do you have enough money to support what you’re saying? And do you have a board?'”
The new assessment model is used to measure what students are learning in their classes. Additionally the WASC advocates using learning outcome statements and rubrics to determine what students will be able to do by the time that they have completed a course or received a degree. These learning outcomes are seen in all courses and departments in each of the five schools of Pepperdine. Each division then aligns its learning outcomes to that of the university as a whole.
“If you have learning outcomes you look at your classes and you see that they are really developing the outcomes that we want students to have Collins said.
WASC representatives say they hope prospective students will consider a university’s learning outcomes when choosing an institution to attend.
There are many benefits to Pepperdine’s being re-accredited. For example, the university will be able to offer student federal loans or grants. It will also prove what students will gain from their tuition money. A primary goal is that students will be able to see that they are being educated on exactly what they are told they will learn in the learning outcomes.
Assessment is really a process of making what’s implicit explicit said Collins. It’s like truth in advertising in that your university is committed to evidence- based decision making.”
A the WASC steering committee made up of faculty representatives from the five schools has been implemented to ensure that the university follows through with the WASC’s requests.
“It’s a system of checks and balances a reward system said Collins. “It involves huge workshops going on every week of the year.”