News
UW-SP receives visit to determine re-accreditation
The Pointer
For three days on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus, students, faculty and administrators were busy answering questions and showing a five-member panel how UW-SP accomplishes its mission and carries out its programs.
As part of the Re-accreditation Process done by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Review Team, composed of prominent campus officials from across the United States, establishes specific criteria and conducts reviews.
UW-SP has spent years in preparation for the three-day event that took place March 31 through April 1. Every ten years, UW-SP participates in the re-accreditation. The last visit took place in 1998.
Chancellor Linda Bunnell described in an August 2006 letter to members of the campus the importance of accreditation.
“An accreditation visit prompts us to examine the what, why, and how of our mission and programs” wrote Bunnell. “It serves as an occasion to affirm the many positive accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students.”
Overall the visit was successful according to Student Government Association Vice President Adam Lehmann.
“The visit overall was a positive one,” said Lehmann. “Going into it we already knew some areas we had to work on as a university but they [HLC Review Team] also pointed out a few areas we have to improve on as well.”
Some of the areas of concern include the current general degree requirements. The members of the Review Team commented in the exit interview on April 2 that UW-SP requires more GDRs than most universities. This makes the campus unattractive to many transfer students said Lehmann.
The comments made by the Review Team were brought up earlier during a meeting with the SGA president and vice president, along with some other issues.
“The comments they received from students reflected the overall frustration with the GDR system at this campus,” said SGA President Justin Glodowski. “They [HLC Review Team] did stress diversity a lot. They feel that having a diverse student and faculty population leads to a more diverse education.”
The visit on campus is complete, but now the members of the Review Team will report back to the campus with a final report.