USU getting a check-up
USU students were able to get their two cents worth in at the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities public forum on Monday.
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities evaluates the university every 10 years. As part of its evaluation, a public meeting at which students can candidly voice their opinions about USU’s strengths and shortcomings is required to be held.
The NWCCU is made up of faculty and administrators from other institutions across the western United States. It is a nonprofit organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The NWCCU covers the seven-state Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
More than 30 students were in attendance at Monday’s meeting. While most comments shed positive light on USU’s strengths, several concerns were addressed as well. Comments and concerns ranged from textbooks prices to USU’s acceptance of gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender students. The quality of on-campus food, length of programs and dozens of other issues were addressed by a diverse group of students.
Larry Branen, associate vice president of Northern Idaho University, is a member of the team evaluating USU during the NWCCU’s visit.
“What we’re trying to do is get students’ opinions of programs here at USU,” Branen said. “Any concerns about faculty or teaching can be addressed as well.”
This meeting was an open voice-style gathering for students, and faculty and administration were not invited. The comments were not recorded, but each concern was noted by a member of the accreditation team.
Each member of the accreditation team took a chance during the meeting to ask the students questions about specific issues, which were then addressed by students in attendance. Issues the team asked about included conditions in on-campus housing facilities, supplemental instructor aides, undergraduate research projects and student involvement in policy making.
“We spend time interviewing here for a couple of days, then we make accommodations for Utah State as well as recommendations,” Branen said.
Grant Keaton, senior in marketing, attended Monday’s meeting. Keaton addressed living on campus and his opinion of the accreditation process in general.
“I don’t know how much effect this will have,” Keaton said after the discussion. “There weren’t too many critical comments, and how much can you do with positive feedback? Most kids (in attendance) here are heavily involved in the university, so of course they’re going to appreciate it more.”
Keaton, who has attended USU for all four years of his higher education, noted that there may be better ways to receive more diverse feedback.
“Having the separate colleges here run their own student surveys could be a better way to gather information,” Keaton said. “Or hold the meeting on the (Taggart Student Center) patio, even though it’s a little bit chilly.”
The accreditation team takes all the information they’ve gathered from the student meeting as well as several independent studies. After they analyze their data, the university will receive their respective accommodations and recommendations.
-ross.nelson@aggiemail.usu.edu