WVU-P gears up for regular accreditation review
West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Torie Jackson discusses the upcoming visit by the West Virginia Higher Learning Commission to reaffirm the college’s accreditation so it and its students will be eligible to receive federal funds. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Vasanth Ananth was sworn in on Tuesday as a member of the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors by Third Family Court Circuit Judge Ellen Smith. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Torie Jackson discusses the upcoming visit by the West Virginia Higher Learning Commission with the WVU-P Board of Governors on Tuesday. The visit, which will be in early March, is for the reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation which occurs every 10 years. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Torie Jackson discusses the upcoming visit by the West Virginia Higher Learning Commission to reaffirm the college’s accreditation so it and its students will be eligible to receive federal funds. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
Vasanth Ananth was sworn in on Tuesday as a member of the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors by Third Family Court Circuit Judge Ellen Smith. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Torie Jackson discusses the upcoming visit by the West Virginia Higher Learning Commission with the WVU-P Board of Governors on Tuesday. The visit, which will be in early March, is for the reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation which occurs every 10 years. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
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PARKERSBURG -- The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors were prepared by the university president for the upcoming visit by the West Virginia Higher Learning Commission in March during Tuesday's board meeting.
President Torie Jackson did an in-depth review of the criteria looked at by the WVHLC. A criterion is a standard on which judgment or a decision may be based.
The commission will be visiting the campus on March 4 and 5. The purpose of the visit is the reaffirmation of the college's accreditation which occurs every 10 years.
"We are just trying to be extremely prepared," Jackson said.
Accreditation for the university means they can receive federal money for their students, Jackson said.
"If you did not have accreditation then your students would not be eligible for that," she said.
Jackson went over aspects of the university's mission to its students as well as the community; its integrity in relation to ethical and responsible conduct; teaching and learning in relation to quality, resources and support; teaching and learning in relation to evaluation and improvement; and institutional effectiveness in relation to resources and planning.
She urged the board to interact and be engaged with the members of the commission as silence could be looked upon more negatively.
"WVU-P provides many opportunities to assist students throughout their academic careers, at no additional cost," Jackson said.
The services that are available are consistent with the college's duty to serve first-generation college students who need access to support services to be successful in college.
"An example is the Epicenter -- a location that provides tutoring, learning resources, advising and more," she said.
The college is also looking at the needs of the community where they can help provide a trained workforce as well as serving the public good of the community.
The college's strategic plan calls for increasing new student enrollment by 3-5% each fall semester based on the end of the semester registration. The plan also calls for a 5% increase in Workforce and Economic Development courses. There are a number of review processes in order to ensure the educational quality of programs. The curriculum is driven by the faculty and staff and students have the opportunity to influence the process, officials said.
"WVU-P's mission is fulfilled, in part, through the college's commitment to ensuring the public good," Jackson said. "WVU-P is committed to promoting tolerance and appreciation for diversity and provides educational opportunities to increase awareness among students, faculty, staff and the community at large."
In other business, Vasanth Ananth was sworn in Tuesday as a member of the Board of Governors by Third Family Family Court Circuit Judge Ellen Smith.