Accreditation review delayed

By Emily Nash, On-line Forty-Niner

April 1,1998

 

The scheduled accreditation review for Cal State Long Beach has been postponed for two years, according to Academic Senate Chairman David Hood.

 

The postponement became necessary because the agency performing the review has an overloaded schedule in 2000.

 

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges will now determine whether to renew the university's status in 2002.

 

Normally, every eight years, each university residing in the accreditation agency's region receives a review. The WASC's region is California, Hawaii and Guam.

CSULB's status now to be reexamined in 2002

The eight-year stretch between reviews may be permanently expanded to 10 years, the WASC's Holly Gibson said.

 

CSULB is not the only university that received a postponed accreditation review date, Gibson said.

The WASC is made up of three commissions. One examines high schools, another community colleges and the third reviews all universities.

 

The university commission's review is a twofold process. The commission is charged with checking on compliance to certain regulations, and with providing assistance.

 

Hood said CSULB's review will probably be one more of assistance in achieving its standard of excellence rather than one of compliance.

 

"Many people think of an accreditation review as a negative thing, but for us it is really positive," Hood said. "The accreditation agency will give us advice, and help us to be better and rise to the standard of excellence we are striving for."

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