The University of Hawai’i–West Oʻahu recently released a draft of a significant self-study report and invites the entire campus community — faculty, staff, and students — to provide valuable feedback throughout the month of April.
The UH West Oʻahu draft Institutional Report for Reaffirmation (IRR) is a massive report that will form the basis of its application for renewed accreditation.
“UH West O‘ahu’s current seven-year cycle of accreditation is winding down to its conclusion and the submission of our Institutional Report for Reaffirmation forms the central piece of our application for renewal of that accreditation,” said Alan Rosenfeld, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Accreditation Liaison Officer.
Rosenfeld continued, “UH West O‘ahu has been accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1981, and it is crucial for our campus to maintain its accreditation status, not least of all because that ensures that UH West Oʻahu students remain eligible to receive federal financial aid.”
The contents of the draft are not set in stone and campus input will help generate improvements before the final submission of the IRR to the WSCUC in June.
Over the next few weeks, the IRR drafting hui will be holding a series of question-and-answer sessions with various groups on campus. A Virtual Campus Town Hall event, which is scheduled for Friday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to noon, is open to the entire campus community.
“It is important to incorporate as many perspectives as possible into the process so that we can tell UH West O‘ahu’s unique story accurately, persuasively, and effectively,” Rosenfeld emphasized.
Faculty, staff, and students may access the the complete 84-page draft of the IRR. However, a three-page “primer” might be the best place to start for those who are new to the topic.
Finally, once campus community members have finished reviewing the IRR draft, they are asked to complete an anonymous survey, so that the IRR drafting hui and campus WSCUC Steering Committee can access their input and hear their voice.
These materials will also be posted on the campus Surveys page. Any questions or concerns can be directed to uhwoirr@hawaii.edu.
“It has been a challenging year, to say the least, but so many of you have persevered through adverse conditions to ensure that UH West O‘ahu is positioned for success in the years ahead,” Rosenfeld said. “Mahalo for all that you do!”
A special thank you also goes out to the IRR drafting and support team members, which includes Rosenfeld, for all of their hard work over the past few months: Gloria Niles, director of distance education and OPDAS coordinator; Christi Palacat, institutional analyst; Yasmine Romero, assistant professor of English; Rebecca Romine, assistant professor of biology and physiology; and John Stanley, director of institutional research.