WSCUC Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Timely, relevant information related to the University of San Francisco's WSCUC Reaffirmation of Accreditation Process will be posted on this page. In particular, you will find:

Reaccreditation Process 2016 - Present

In 2016, the University of San Francisco began actively engaging in a self-study in support of the reaffirmation of accreditation process with our accreditor, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The overriding purpose of WSCUC accreditation is to assure stakeholders that a WSCUC-accredited institution has been rigorously evaluated and that it meets or exceeds the criteria required to maintain accreditation. In addition, the accreditation process is designed to build a culture of evidence, promote a commitment to institutional improvement, validate institutional integrity, and provide feedback that improves the accreditation process itself.

In March 2018, USF submitted an Institutional Report that demonstrated how the University community works collectively to further its mission, vision and values and to ensure educational quality and student success in an evidence-based culture of improvement.

The self-study culminated in an Accreditation Visit on October 8 - 10, 2018 with a review team comprised of peer reviewers and a WSCUC representative. The review team verbally presented draft commendations and recommendations at the end of visit and USF received the WSCUC Review Team Report on November 30, 2018, which set out the team's final recommendations.

On March 4, 2019, the WSCUC Commission acted to reaffirm USF’s accreditation for a period of ten years.

An Interim Report addressing progress on issues identified by the WSCUC Commission was submitted on November 1, 2023. The next reaffirmation review will begin with the Offsite Review in spring 2028 and the Accreditation Visit in fall 2028.

This page will be regularly updated with the action plans and the progress made on them.

WSCUC Review Team Report & Action Letter

Action Plans

In response to the following WSCUC Accreditation Team's recommendations, action plans are currently in development. Tasks will be added to the action plans and progress on those tasks will be updated as appropriate.

Recommendation point person(S) action plan
Develop and articulate strategic goals and objectives to guide initiatives and resource development that align with the University mission and a vision of the future (CFRs 3.7 4.5, 4.6, 4.7) Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J.
President		 Strategic Planning - Updated 10/19/23
Develop a formal deliberative body, independent of the Faculty Association Policy Boards, to establish shared governance that will improve lines of communication and ensure participatory decision-making (CFRs 2.4, 3.10, 4.5, 4.6) Elieen Fung
Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs		 Faculty Governance Action Plan - Updated 10/19/23
Address pressing issues facing the Law School, including permanent leadership, admissions profile, improvement in the bar passage rate, fiscal stability, and the placement of graduates (CFRs 1.6, 2.1, 2.6, 2.10-2.14, 4.4, 4.5)

Elieen Fung
Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Susan Freiwald
Dean, School of Law

 School of Law Action Plan - Updated 10/19/23
Build expertise in program review and planning at the department and program level, and support professional development for the assessment of learning outcomes in both curricular and co-curricular programs (CFRs 3.4, 4.4)

Rebecca Hong
Vice Provost for Student Success, Inclusive Excellence and Curricular Innovation

Deborah L. Panter
Associate Vice Provost for Educational Effectiveness

 Program Review & Assessment Action Plan - Updated 10/19/23
Develop formal, timely and informative channels of communication that allow for advice and dialogue across the campus prior to major decision-making and implementation (CFRs 3.7, 4.2, 4.3)

Ellen Ryder
Vice President
Marketing Communications

Deborah L. Panter
Associate Vice Provost for Educational Effectiveness

 Communication Action Plan - Updated 10/19/23
Improve methods of systematically surveying alumni in order to create a fuller picture of the impact of a USF education (CFR 4.1)

N/A

 

 Alumni Data Action Plan - Updated 10/19/23

Communication