10-Year EOU Accreditation Report (1998)
1999 EOU Focused Interim Report
2000 EOU Focused Interim Report
2001 Focused Interim Report
2003 Fifth-Year Interim Accreditation Report (the present
report). A team of accreditors visits the EOU campus on November
6th and 7th, 2003.
2008 Full Comprehensive Accreditation Self-Study. EOU
will begin preparing for this self study in 2006.
EOU accreditation occurs via the Northwest Commission
on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The Commission evaluates higher education institutions
according to the following required standards and possible special
reviews stipulated by the NWCCU:
Standard One: Institutional
Missions and Goals, Planning, and Effectiveness
This Standard concerns the ways in which the institution's
mission and goals define the institution, including its educational
activities, its student body, and its role within the higher education
community. The Standard consists of two emphases: university-wide
strategic planning and "global assessment," an integrated
evaluation of every level of the university's educational activities
conducted by administration, faculty, and other key stakeholders
who are part of the institution.
Components of the assessment process must include
policy statements for every program and unit addressed through Standards
Two-Nine.
Standard Two: Educational
Program and its Effectiveness
"The institution offers college level programs
that culminate in identified student competencies and lead to degrees
or certificates in recognized fields of study. The achievement and
maintenance of high quality programs is the primary responsibility
of an accredited institution; hence, the evaluation of educational
programs and their continuous improvement is an ongoing responsibility
..."
EOU's response to this standard in the 2003 Interim
Accreditation Report includes reports from all programs.
Standard Three: Students
"Student programs and service support the achievement
of the institution's mission and goals by contributing to the educational
development of its students. Student programs and services are consistent
with the educational philosophy of the institution.The institution
provides essential support services for students, regardless of
where or how enrolled and by whatever means educational programs
are offered.
Standard Four: Faculty
"The selection, development, and retention of
a competent faculty is of paramount importance to the institution.
The faculty's central responsibility is for educational programs
and their quality. The faculty is adequate in number and qualifications
to meet its obligations toward achievement of the institution's
mission and goals."
Standard Five: Library
and Information Resources
"The primary purpose for library and information
services is to support teaching, learning, and, if applicable, research
in ways consistent with, and supportive of, the institution's mission
and goals. Adequate library and information resources and services,
at the appropriate level for degrees offered, are available to support
the intellectual, cultural, and technical development of students
enrolled in courses and programs wherever located and however delivered."
Standard Six: Governance
and Administration
"The institution's system of governance facilitates
the successful accomplishment of its mission and goals."
Standard Seven: Finance
"Financial planning and budgeting are ongoing,
realistic, and based upon the mission and goals of the institution.
The adequacy of financial resources is judged in relation to the
mission and goals of the institution, the scope and diversity of
its programs and services, and the number and kind of its students.
The financial organization and management, as well as the system
of reporting, ensure the integrity of institutional finances, create
appropriate control mechanisms, and provide a basis for sound financial
decision-making. Any organized development program to seek financial
support from outside sources is closely coordinated with academic
planning and reflects the mission and goals of the institution.
Standard Eight: Physical
Resources
"Sufficient physical resources, particularly
institutional facilities, are designed, maintained, and managed
(at both on- and off-campus sites) to achieve the institution's
mission and goals. Equipment is sufficient in quality and amount
to facilitate the achievement of educational goals and objectives
of the institution. Comprehensive physical resources planning occurs
and is based upon the mission and goals of the institution."
Standard Nine: Institutional
Integrity
"The institution adheres to the highest ethical
standards in its representation to its constituencies and the public;
in its teaching, scholarship, and service; in its treatment of its
students, faculty, and staff; and in its relationships with regulatory
and accrediting agencies."
Special Program Reviews
These reviews relate to new academic degree programs
(in this report, Biochemistry, Business Administration, Media Arts)
and ongoing programs about which the Commission had some questions
(in this report, the Division of Distance Education).