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Accreditation Standards and Criteria for Review

Accreditation Standards serve as a foundation and framework "to guide institutions in self review as a basis for assessing institutional performance and to identify needed areas of improvement." Below you will find a rich variety of campus and systemwide links related to WASC Accreditation Standards and Criteria.

Standard 1: Defining Institutional Purposes and Ensuring Educational Objectives


The institution defines its purposes and establishes educational objectives aligned with its purposes and character. It has a clear and conscious sense of its essential values and character, its distinctive elements, its place in the higher education community, and its relationship to society at large. Through its purposes and educational objectives, the institution dedicates itself to higher learning, the search for truth, and the dissemination of knowledge. The institution functions with integrity and autonomy.

  1. The institution's formally approved statements of purpose and operational practices are appropriate for an institution of higher education and clearly define its essential values and character. Guideline: The institution has a published mission statement that clearly describes its purposes. The institution's purposes fall within recognized academic areas and/or disciplines, or are subject to peer review within the framework of generally recognized academic disciplines or areas of practice.
  2. Educational objectives are clearly recognized throughout the institution and are consistent with stated purposes. Guideline: The institution has developed indicators and evidence to ascertain the level of achievement of its purposes and educational objectives.
  3. The institution's leadership creates and sustains a leadership system at all levels that is marked by high performance, appropriate responsibility, and accountability.
  4. The institution publicly states its commitment to academic freedom for faculty, staff, and students, and acts accordingly. This commitment affirms that those in the academy are free to share their convictions and responsible conclusions with their colleagues and students in their teaching and in their writing. Guideline: The institution has published or has readily available policies on academic freedom. For those institutions that strive to instill specific beliefs and world views, policies clearly state conditions, and ensure these conditions are consistent with academic freedom. Due process procedures are disseminated, demonstrating that faculty and students are protected in their quest for truth.
    • Non-Senate Academic Appointees/ Grievances

      The PPM addresses non-senate academic appointees and grievances.

      Administrative Records
    • Student Grievance Procedures

      This lists student grievance procedures.

      Student Affairs
    • Office of the Ombuds

      The UCSD Office of the Ombuds provides confidential, neutral, and informal dispute resolution services for the UCSD community.

      UCSD
    • Office of Sexual Harassment Prevention and Policy

      OSHPP provides assistance in investigating and resolving complaints of sexual harassment and provides education to the entire UCSD community.

      UCSD
    • Student Policies and Judicial Affairs

      Student Policies and Judicial Affairs (SPJA) consists of the administration of student judicial affairs, which includes campus-wide coordination of student conduct, including graduate students, monitoring of compliance requirements, applicable federal and state laws, and university policies and campus regulations, such as Right to Privacy as it affects students.

      UCSD
    • Cross-Cultural Center

      The UCSD Cross-Cultural Center is dedicated to supporting the needs of UCSD’s diverse student, staff and faculty communities in order to make the entire campus community feel welcome.

      UCSD
    • LGBT Resource Center

      The LGBT Resource Center at UCSD provides a visible presence on campus and enhances a sense of connection and community among LGBT faculty, staff, students, alumni and the UCSD Community.

      UCSD
    • Women's Center

      The Center provides education and support to all members of UCSD regarding gender issues, with the goal of promoting an inclusive and equitable campus community.

      UCSD
    • The Koala Online

      The Koala is UCSD's student-run humor publication.

      UCSD
    • NoIndoctrination.org

      NoIndoctrination.org is an organization of parents who are disturbed that sociopolitical agendas have been allowed to permeate college courses and orientation programs. The study of controversial topics and unpopular ideas certainly has a place in academia - but "thought reform" and mandated "group think" do not. Blatant and oppressive bias (regardless of the perspective) dishonors the teaching profession, undermines the open search for truth, and has predictable consequences: student anger, frustration, and intimidation. This page links to policies at various university campuses.

      NoIndoctrination.org
    • Academic Freedom Resolution

      The GSA's academic freedom resolution is stated here.

      GSA
    • Senate Committee on Academic Freedom

      Information regarding the senate committee on academic freedom.

      Academic Senate
  5. Consistent with its purposes and character, the institution demonstrates an appropriate response to the increasing diversity in society through its policies, its educational and co-curricular programs, and its administrative and organizational practices. Guideline: The institution has demonstrated institutional commitment to the principles enunciated in the WASC Statement on Diversity.
    • The UCSD Principles of Community

      These principles of community are vital to the success of the university and the well being of its constituents. UCSD faculty, staff, and students are expected to practice these basic principles as individuals and in groups.

      Blink

  6. Even when supported by or affiliated with political, corporate, or religious organizations, the institution has education as its primary purpose and operates as an academic institution with appropriate autonomy. Guideline: The institution has no history of interference in substantive decisions or educational functions by political, religious, corporate, or other external bodies outside the institution’s own governance arrangements.

  7. The institution truthfully represents its academic goals, programs, and services to students and to the larger public; demonstrates that its academic programs can be completed in a timely fashion; and treats students fairly and equitably through established policies and procedures addressing student conduct, grievances, human subjects in research, and refunds. Guideline: The institution has published or readily available policies on student grievances and complaints, refunds, etc. and has no history of adverse findings against it with respect to violation of these policies. Records of student complaints are maintained for a six-year period. The institution clearly defines and distinguishes between the different types of credits it offers and between degree and non-degree credit, and accurately identifies the type and meaning of the credit awarded in its transcripts.

    • Revelle College Four-Year Plan

      This curriculum guide can be used as a planning document and lists 4-year plans by major.

      Revelle College
    • John Muir College Four-Year Plan

      This curriculum guide can be used as a planning document and lists 4-year plans by major.

      John Muir College
    • Thurgood Marshall College Four-Year Plan

      This curriculum guide can be used as a planning document and lists 4-year plans by major.

      Thurgood MarshallCollege
    • Earl Warren College Four-Year Plan

      This curriculum guide can be used as a planning document and lists 4-year plans by major.

      Earl Warren College
    • Eleanor Roosevelt College Four-Year Plan

      This curriculum guide can be used as a planning document and lists 4-year plans by major.

      Eleanor Roosevelt College
    • Sixth College Four-Year Plan

      This curriculum guide can be used as a planning document and lists 4-year plans by major.

      TritonLink
    • Time to Degree/ Academic Performance

      These statistics provide information about students' time to degree and academic performance.

      Student Research & Information
    • Admission Statistics

      These statistics provide information about new student admissions.

      Student Research & Information
    • Chancellor's Faculty Walk-In

      The chancellor has set aside designated Faculty Walk-In Hours to become better acquainted in an informal setting. Comments are welcome via this online form.

      UCSD
    • Schedule of Refunds

      This TritonLink page clearly states the schedule of refunds and provides information on refund eligibility.

      TritonLink
    • Access the Credit Balance on Your Student Account

      This TritonLink page provides information on how to access the credit balance on a student account.

      TritonLink
    • UCSD General Catalog 2006-2007

      The online version of UCSD's General Catalog reflects information in the printed 2006-2007 catalog, including information about the six colleges, courses, and departments.

      UCSD
    • Judicial Affairs/ Student Council

      Judicial Affairs provides online copies of documents available at Geisel Library, including UC policies and UCSD Academic Senate regulations.

      UCSD
    • UCSD Human Research Protections Program

      The UCSD Human Research Protections Program exists to promote high quality, ethical research by serving as the advocate for the rights and welfare of persons who participate in research programs conducted by UCSD.

      UCSD
    • The Graduate Student Handbook

      The Graduate Student Handbook has been prepared to serve as a guide and resource throughout your graduate career.  The information included provides step-by-step instructions on most aspects of graduate study.

      Office of Graduate Studies
    • List of Surveys

      This page lists surveys conducted by the Office of Student Research and Information, Student Affairs.

      UCSD
  8. The institution exhibits integrity in its operations as demonstrated by the implementation of appropriate policies, sound business practices, timely and fair responses to complaints and grievances, and regular evaluation of its performance in these areas. Guideline: The institution has published or readily-available grievance procedures for faculty, staff, and students. Its finances are regularly audited by external agencies.
    • Internal Controls: High Standards of Business

      Internal Controls provides information about how to achieve high business standards and ethical practices.

      Blink
    • Student Grievances

      Judicial Affairs/ Student Conduct states student grievance procedures.

      Student Affairs
    • Student Policies and Judicial Affairs

      Student Policies and Judicial Affairs (SPJA) consists of the administration of student judicial affairs, which includes campus-wide coordination of student conduct, including graduate students, monitoring of compliance requirements, applicable federal and state laws, and university policies and campus regulations, such as Right to Privacy as it affects students.

      Student Affairs
    • UCSD Audit & Management Services

      UCSD's Policy and Procedure Manual provides online links to the audit mission statement and audit management charter.

      UCSD
    • Annual Financial Reports

      Read the Annual Financial Reports of the University of California, San Diego (listed by year, from 1995 - 2005).

      Blink
    • Campus Financial Schedule

      This is a compilation of 2004 - 2005 financial schedules prepared by each campus.

      University of California
    • UC Actions to Reform Compensation Policies

      Actions taken to reform the university’s senior management compensation policies and practices.

      University of California
    • Instructional Workload by Year

      Analytical Studies and Space Planning provides yearly reports on three-quarter average instructional workload.

      Analytical Studies and Space Planning
    • UCSD Accreditation

      UCSD's Accreditation site links to information regarding the accreditation process, UCSD's campus presentation, a timeline, committees, and stipulated policies.

      UCSD
    • Accreditation Timeline

      The accreditation timeline shows the schedule from Fall 2004 to October 2009.

      UCSD