2021 WSCUC Re-Affirmation

Overview

In August 2017, HMC initiated its efforts to reaffirm its accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC—formerly WASC) by indicating its interest in undergoing a Thematic Pathway for Review.  This page summarizes the reaffirmation timeline, key steps, and required elements, together with key findings and related recommendations for action stemming from the work undertaken thus far under the guidance of the WSCUC Steering Committee.

Re-affirmation Timeline and Accomplishments

The major steps in the Thematic Pathway for Review (TPR) for re-affirmation of accreditation follow.  Hyperlinks take you to brief descriptions of each stage and/or to related documents.

Date Re-Affirmation Step Complete?
July 2017 HMC invited to participate in Thematic Pathway for Review (TPR) ✔
August 2017 HMC applies for consideration for TPR ✔
November 2017 HMC approved for TPR in place of traditional Institutional Review Process ✔
August 2018 WSCUC Steering Committee established ✔
Fall 2018 HMC identifies themes for TPR ✔
December 2018 HMC hosted Barbara Gross Davis, our WSCUC staff Liaison, to provide an overview of the TPR process ✔
May 2019 HMC submits TPR proposal ✔
Summer 2019 Feedback on TPR proposal received from WSCUC and shared with the campus for response and action ✔
Fall 2019 Campus completes Compliance with WSCUC Standards and Federal Requirements Worksheet and Forms ✔
AY 2019-20 Campus undertakes projects identified in TPR ✔
Spring 2020 Campus completes outline of Institutional Report ✔
Summer 2020 WSCUC grants HMC a postponement of reaffirmation ✔
Fall 2020 Campus continues work on TPR projects ✔
Winter 2021 Draft Institutional Report completed ✔
Spring 2021 Campus Review of Institutional Report Draft ✔
August 3, 2021 HMC submits Institutional Report to WSCUC ✔
October 13-15, 2021 HMC Campus Visit ✔
November 2021 WSCUC Visiting Team shares their Final Report ✔
February 24, 2022 HMC appears before the WSCUC Commission ✔
March 2022 Commission renders a decision regarding reaffirmation. 2022 Commission Action Letter ✔

In Brief: The Required Elements of the Institutional Report

The Institutional Report is based on the findings of our self-study.  Under the TPR, the Institutional Report is a 25-40 page document comprised of four Components. A brief description of each Component follows.  Full descriptions are available in the Thematic Pathway for Reaffirmation Guide.  In general, each component should include a discussion of the topic within the context of HMC, analyses undertaken, a self-assessment and reflection, areas of strength or significant progress and areas of challenge, and next steps, as appropriate.  When describing plans, targets, metrics, and timelines should be included.

Component Brief Description of Component
Component 1

Introduction to the Institutional Report: Institutional Context; Response to Previous Commission Actions.

 Succinct history of the institution, and an overview of our capacity, infrastructure and operations. Special attention to changes since the last accreditation review. Themes are also introduced, with an explanation of how they were selected. Finally, review most recent team report and action letter and respond to earlier Commission recommendations.
Component 2

Compliance with Standards: Review under the WSCUC Standards and Compliance with Federal Requirements; Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators

 Report on our findings in relation to:

1)      Review under the WSCUC Standards and Compliance with Federal Requirements

2)      Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators

These worksheets allow HMC to provide adequate description and evidence of compliance that would otherwise be demonstrated through writing additional components of an institutional report.  Analysis and discussion of HMC’s self-assessment and any plans emerging from these two exercises are discussed in the narrative for this component.
Component 8

Institution-Specific Theme: Healthy Excellence: Putting Success in Perspective

 Origin of the theme, analysis, recommendations for action, and related steps. We must address:

  • How the themes advance institutional priorities and/or adds value to the accreditation review
  • How the themes align with the Standards and CFRs
  • Our goals in pursuing these themes

Should also include relevant timelines, metrics and resources used.
Component 9

Conclusion: Reflection and Plans for Improvement

 Assess the impact of the self-study; reflect on what HMC has learned in the course of the self-study; and discuss what we plan to do next.
Appendices The appendices include the following items:

  • Completed Compliance with the WSCUC Standards and Compliance with Federal Requirements worksheet and forms
  • Completed Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators
  • Institution-selected appendices that support the report narrative