Visiting NWCCU members include, back row, left to right: Dr. Laird Hartman, dean of Continuing

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Education and Community Services, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah; Dr. Betty Elliott, professor of Biological Sciences, Great Basin College, Elko, Nevada; Becky Smith, department chair, Computer Info Services, Dixie State College of Utah, St. George, Utah; Dr. Jay Kenton, vice chancellor for Finance and Administration, Oregon University System, Corvallis, Oregon; Karen Johnson, dean for Developmental Education, Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, Washington; Richard Cummins, executive vice president, Columbia Basin College, Pasco, Washington; Linda Maier, dean for Workforce Education, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, Washington; Dr. Max Checketts (evaluation team chair), Academic vice president, Brigham Young University—-Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho. Front row, left to right: Dr. Laura Potcyn, assistant to the president, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington; Robert Carr, special assistant to the chancellor, Montana State University — Billings; Patricia Kelley, dean of Libraries, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington; Dr. Sandra Elman, president, NWCCU;

Dr. Susan Murray, executive director, Institutional Effectiveness, Wenatchee Valley College,

Wenatchee, Washington.

A ste

While Capilano looks at the term “accreditation” as a means of quality assurance, particularly for international students, Sandra Elman sees it as an alternate path to global accord.

“Tm a great proponent on issues of international peace,” said the president of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. “I really see this accreditation process as one means for two neighbouring countries to promote connectivity, global aware- ness and expectations for global justice in ways we've never done before.”

This out of the box perspective is a personal passion for Sandra, who spends a great deal of her time either visiting the 160 NWCCU accredited institutions in the Northwest region of the United States, or discussing policy and educational issues in Washington, D.C.

“Tm very excited that we’re working with Capilano to make seamless borders and are doing what we do best — offering the highest quality

in the right direction

of programming to our students,” she said.

As is often the case in interviews, first impressions make the most powerful impact. It was raining on October 24, the day the 12-member NWCCU evaluation team arrived for its three-day visit. But for Sandra, a Seattle resident, that only created a feeling of home.

“You have the best of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer,” she said, segueing into her initial opinion of Capilano’s application. “You provided a very thoughtful approach to the self-study. I especially liked the fact that you began by answering the question, ‘Why accreditation?”

Why accreditation, indeed. Currently, Canada is a country without a national accrediting body. Universities with a research focus are using membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada to recognize their role. However, no such organization exists to recognize the role of teaching focused institutions, such

as Capilano. The accreditation process will help this institution understand its goals and roles, while inviting a regulatory body to offer judgment.

Sandra, who js not an official member of the evaluation team, sees her role as that of ambassador and offers a more pragmatic approach to the accreditation process.

“We're here to validate the self-study and affirm that you meet eligibility requirements for accreditation,” she explained. “If you are accepted as a candidate, you will get the benefits that come from a quality assurance perspective, but you shall also remain who you are.”

The next step for the evaluation team is to prepare a report that will be presented to the NWCCU commissioners. In January 2008, Capilano president, Dr. Greg Lee, along with the chair of the NWCCU evaluation team, Dr. Max Checketts, will meet with 23 commissioners for an hour-long discussion based upon the evaluators’ report. They will also be asked questions about standards and issues found in the self-study. From that meeting, one of three actions will take place: candidacy for accreditation with the NWCCU will be granted, deferred or denied. If Capilano is granted candidacy, it will have five years to be granted initial accreditation. In the meantime, it will be considered a candidate for accreditation, which means that it will be a member of the NWCCU.

“Membership facilitates the movement of faculty and students between member institutions,” Sandra said, adding, “Capilano is the first Canadian institution to become an applicant and you would join a community of higher educational institutions that share similar academic qualifications and quality in a very competitive arena.

“It’s exciting, important and progressive — both on the part of Capilano and NWCCU —and I Look forward to us working together over the coming years.”

New Onentation photo by Ken Barbour

‘Students scoop awards

Coming soon