Stipulated policies for campus accreditation review

Select a topic below for more information.

Institutional Integrity

A widely disseminated, written policy statement of commitment to academic freedom in teaching, learning, research, publication, and oral presentation.

Due process procedures that demonstrate faculty and students are protected in their quest for truth.

Faculty

Staff

Students

A clear statement of institutional policies, requirements, and expectations to current and prospective employees.

Institutionally developed and published non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action policies.

Clearly written policies on conflict of interest for board, administration, faculty, and staff, including appropriate limitations on the relations of business, industry, government, and private donors to research in the institution.

University of California Policy on Reporting and Investigating Allegations of Suspected Improper Governmental Activities (Whistleblower Policy)

A clear statement that the institution agrees to abide by WASC Policy on Substantive Change and the Policy on Distance and Technology-Mediated Instruction.

"All on- and off-campus programs (whether offered via distance learning modalities or in the classroom) undergo rigorous review by the campus' Academic Senate, the campus administration, and (for graduate programs) University-wide administrative and Senate bodies. See, for example, UC Santa Cruz - Guidelines for Establishment & Disestablishment of Academic Programs and Departments and Appendices A, B, C & D, and E, as well as the Regulations of the Santa Cruz Division of the Academic Senate."

"Section 9 of the campus' undergraduate program approval template and Section 10 of the campus' graduate program approval template requires that departments "state if the proposed program requires WASC notification."

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Research

Policies covering human subjects and animals in research, classified research, patent provisions, cooperative research relations with industry, and other similar issues related to the integrity and independence of the research enterprise.

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Educational Programs

Precise, accurate, and current information in printed material regarding a) educational purposes; b) degrees, curricular programs, educational resources, and course offerings; c) student charges and other financial obligations, student financial aid, and fee refund policies; d) requirements for admission and for achievement of degrees; and e) the names of the administration, faculty, and governing board.

Publications that make clear the status (e.g., full-time, part-time, adjunct) of each faculty member.

Clearly articulated policies for the transfer of credit to ensure that students who transfer in with general education course credits meet the institution's own standards for the completion of the general education requirement.

Policies and procedures for additions and deletions of programs.

  • UC Review Processes for Academic Programs, Academic Units, and Research Units

Requirements for continuation in, or termination from, academic programs, and a policy for readmission of students who are disqualified for academic reasons.

  • UC Undergraduate Readmission Policy and Procedures

Clearly stated graduation requirements that are consistently applied in the degree certification process.

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Faculty

Personnel policies governing employment of teaching fellows and assistants.

Policy designed to integrate part-time faculty appropriately into the life of the institution.

Explicit and equitable faculty personnel policies and procedures.

Policies on salaries and benefits.

Policies for faculty and staff regarding privacy and accessibility of information.

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Library

Written library collection development and weeding policies, including the bases for accepting gifts.

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Students

Admission and retention policies and procedures, with particular attention to the application of sound admission and retention policies for athletes, international students, and other cases where unusual pressures may be anticipated.

Clearly defined admissions policies attentive to the special needs of international students.

Policies on student rights and responsibilities, including the rights of due process and redress of grievances.

Publications that include policies and rules defining inappropriate student conduct.

A policy regarding fee refunds that is uniformly administered, and consistent with customary standards.

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Finances

Policies, guidelines, and processes for developing the budget.

Clearly defined and implemented policies with regard to cash management and investments, approved by the governing board.

Policies and a code of ethics for employees involved in buying, bidding, or providing purchase orders.

Policies on risk management, addressing loss by fire, burglary and defalcation; liability of the governing board and administration; and liability for personal injury and property damage.

Policies regarding fundraising activities that comply with sound ethical accounting and financial principles.

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Campus WASC Links