The WASC CPR: One Survivor’s Story

Aubyn FultonProfessor of Psychology

Chair, WASC-PCPacific Union College

“Telling Our Story”Wisdom in WASC Clichés

PUC is a small Christian college in a semi-rural setting

Proposal helped us understand the meaning and importance of each of these characteristicsSmall (~1300 to 1500 students)

Intimate and caring; limited resources

Christian (7th Day Adventist) Drove our themes; complicated some WASC concerns

College (not a University) Undergraduate and teaching focus; research & scholarship

Semi-Rural (2000 acres in hills above Napa Valley, CA) Embedded in core values & identity; expensive & isolated

Campus “Buy-in”Structure Consistent with Campus Culture

PUC = Strong Faculty Governance

WASC Planning Committee: 4 Faculty, 1 Staff, CAO

WASC-PC Chair: Skeptical member of faculty

Balance between “Make PUC Better” and “Satisfy WASC”

Presidential Leadership

Multiple & Repeated Campus Contacts

Division of LaborSeparation of Powers

WASC-PC Chair & WASC Writer

Provided Continuity & DiversitySame Chair through 3 WASC PhasesThree different (faculty) WritersChair: “Author” but not Writer; “Nagger & Worrier”;

Facilitator; WASC ExpectationsWriter: Unifying voice (clear, formal but not

institutional); Telling the Story; Finishing the document

To Do And To WriteGood News: Not just one egghead locked in a

dark room for 6 months writing by themselves

Bad News: Not just one egghead locked in a dark room for 6 months writing by themselves

Challenge becomes how to get the campus community to make real changes, that can then be written aboutOn a tight schedule, limited budget, overworked

faculty and staff, in a way that actually improves student learning, actualizes campus identity and satisfies WASC

Communication StrategyMultiple Constituencies

College Assembly, Department Chairs, Department Meetings, Staff Meetings, Administrative Council, Board of Trustees, Student Association

Multiple ModesLarge GroupsEmail (wasc@puc.edu)Electronic Discussion BoardWASC Updates (from ARC)Office and “Doorway” & “Hallway” VisitsWebsite (http://www.puc.edu/academics/accreditation/home

)

Plan of AttackWASC-PC Strategy Sessions

What needs doing? Who is Going to Do it? Deadlines?

Campus Contacts Chair and members meet with various constituencies Nag, Worry, Thank

WASC-PC Debrief, Adjust, Next Steps

WASC-PC Outline Report Sections

Writer drafts Essays or sections of Essays

WASC-PC reviews and revises (repeat with above PRN)

Circulate drafts to constituencies, discuss live and online

Finalize Essays, consult with Ad Council and Board

StructureWASC-PC: Planning, Organizing, Preparing

Document4 Themes:

Learning CommunityStewardshipCulture of ServiceConversations About Faith, Learning & Adventist

Identity

Three Taskforces (Chaired by CFO or VP, Faculty, Staff & Student Membership)Learning Community TaskforceStewardship TaskforceEducational Effectiveness Taskforce (Themes 3 & 4)

What Worked Well Author-Writer Distinction

Early Start on Program Review

Attending WASC Workshops

Serving on Visiting Teams

Communication with Campus “Know Your Themes” Corny, but Paid Off During Visit

Faculty Involvement But Beware Family Squabbles

Pick a Great Team (and Get to Know Them)

Tell Your Story – Honestly WASC Promised No Penalty, and Delivered

What Didn’t Work As WellOversights

Commission vs. Team Recommendations

Time Commitment

Budget Commitment

Electronic Portfolio

“WASC Wants” Trumping Campus Readiness

Preparing For The Visit

Pay Attention to CPR Guidelines

Make it Easy for Them to Navigate Document

Hyperlinks and USB Memory Sticks

Rapid Response to Team Requests

Itinerary Give Team What They Want Be Flexible & Prepared to Adapt Balance Between Schmooze & Work Maps & Guides Make Sure Campus Knows Team is Coming, and is On-

time and Prepared for Appointments

The Team RoomComputer and printing needs, online access

Hospitality (individualize: smoking, caffeine, special needs; diet)

Keys, security

Privacy (document review; Team Consultation)

Transportation & Accommodations

Arrange transportation to and from airports

Arrange transportation to and from Hotel

Prepay the room accommodations (Nice, not luxurious) Conference space, online access

Food Consult with Team about Reception/Dinner Meals can be used as opportunities to meet with special

groups (lunch with Trustees, Pizza with students); Some Teams will prefer to relax during meals, or work and

consult with themselves Keep team room stocked with snacks and drinks

Informational Packet Maps, restaurant suggestions, notepads and pens, phone

list (!), Team and individualized itineraries

During The Visit ALO Should Welcome and Be On-Call

Check-in with Campus Personnel After Appointments to take temperature, identify problems

Check with Team After Day 1 for any changes, Problem-Solving

After the VisitWASC-PC Met to Debrief and Autopsy

Express Thanks to Lots of People on Campus

Continue Preparations for EER

NOTE: Preparation Time for EER is MUCH LESS than CPR Standard is 18-Month Continuation of Accreditation if all

goes well with CPR But Won’t Find Out Officially for 3 – 4 Months EER Report is Due 3 Months Prior to EER Visit So really only have 12 Months Between Official Notification

and Due Date of next (50 page!) Document

When WASC says CPR & EER Preparations Must be Simultaneous, They Are Not Kidding!

Contact Information

Aubyn Fultonafulton@puc.edu707-965-6536

PUC Reaccreditation Web Website: http://www.puc.edu/academics/accreditation/home)