BYU will welcome the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which provides regional accreditation of postsecondary institutions, on April 5-7. The delegation representing the Northwest Commission will be led by Dr. Stephen J. Reno, chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire.
During the visit, the 14-member review team will hold three open meetings for faculty, students and staff. All meetings will take place in 3264 Wilkinson Student Center on the dates and times listed below:
Student Meeting -- Wednesday, April 5, 1-2 p.m.
Faculty Meeting -- Wednesday, April 5, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Staff Meeting -- Thursday, April 6, 10-11 a.m. After more than two years of preparing for this visit, BYU is ready to share with the 14-member review team the results of the university’s Self-Study, said Dr. Gerrit W. Gong, who has been leading BYU’s review in his capacity as assistant to the president for Planning and Assessment.
The Self-Study is summarized in a 255-page report, which, after a thorough review by the campus community, has been sent to the Northwest Commission. The report is available online at accredit.byu.edu and at the HBLL Reserve Library Circulation Desk.
“We are grateful for the time and effort so many made to contribute to the Self-Study and to provide comments and feedback,” said Dr. Gong. “This information was very beneficial to the members of the Executive Accreditation Committee, who have been studying, along with their committees, all areas of the university.”
Not only has the Self-Study been widely circulated on campus, but it was also recently shared in mid-March with a group of community leaders, including federal and state legislators; city government, educational, civic and religious leaders; and BYU representatives from the President’s Council, BYUSA, Alumni Association, David O. McKay School of Education and the Accreditation Executive Committee.
During the meeting in the Wilkinson Student Center, President Cecil O. Samuelson discussed the importance of accreditation while Dr. Gong explained the accreditation process. In addition, he reviewed the results of BYU’s Self-Study, including strengths, challenges and recommendations.
BYU first received accreditation in 1923 and was most recently accredited in 1996. As in years past, the review team will conduct a thorough review of the Self-Study, as well as meet with members the Board of Trustees and members of the campus community.
At the conclusion of the visit on April 7, the review team will provide a preliminary report. The Northwest Commission will provide a final written notification of action to the university in mid to late summer.
