Institutional Proposal

The Institutional Proposal guides the entire review process, which is a self-study focusing on "researchable questions" based on current issues germane to the university's mission. The self-study is also expected to address any recommendations made by the WASC Senior Commission during the last reaccreditation review. Three recommendations are highlighted in the Senior Commission's letter of March 6, 2001 reaffirming USD's accreditation.

In designing the proposal, institutions are encouraged to be creative, build on processes already in place, focus on a limited number of issues that can be addressed in depth, critique and refine the analysis and use of evidence collected by the institution, and significantly increase the institution's attention to student learning. The university is expected to engage the campus community in identifying issues to be explored. The USD WASC Steering Committee organized focus groups for students, staff, faculty, and administrators for in-depth discussions to define "educational excellence." Following the focus group discussions, a campus-wide survey was conducted during Spring 2007.

USD submitted the following Institutional Proposal to WASC on May 15, 2008. The proposal was thoroughly evaluated by a review committee and was accepted by WASC on June 12, 2008.

• Institutional Proposal  [pdf]
• Appendix 1: Required Data Exhibits
• Undergraduate Bulletin; Graduate Bulletin
• Organizational Charts  [pdf]
• President
• Academic Affairs
• Student Affairs
• Mission and Ministry
• Finance and Administration
• University Relations
• WASC/ACSCU Summary Data Form
• Table 1: Fall Headcount Enrollment by Level
• Table 2: Fall Headcount Enrollment by Status and Location
• Table 3: Degrees and Certificates Granted Annually by Level
• Table 4: Instructional Faculty by Employment Status
• Table 5: Key Financial Ratios
• Table 6: Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators
• Table 7: Inventory of Concurrent Accreditation and Key Performance Indicators
• Appendix 2: Worksheet for Preliminary Self-review Under the Standards  [pdf]
• Appendix 3: Results of Online Campus Survey  [pdf]
• Appendix 4: President's Advisory Board on Inclusion and Diversity: Statement and Purpose
• Appendix 5: USD Reaccreditation Phases, Themes, and Related Criteria for Review  [pdf]
• Appendix 6: Preliminary Work Plan and Milestones for USD WASC Reaccreditation  [pdf]
• Institutional Stipulation Statement  [pdf]