CSU, Chico WSCUC Accreditation Reaffirmed for Eight Years

California State University, Chico has long seen itself as a learning environment that continuously strives for educational excellence and operational effectiveness, and is therefore pleased to share the news this week that the University’s regional accrediting body affirms those qualities.

The University was honored this summer to have the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) reaffirm CSU, Chico’s accreditation for a period of eight years (through 2027). WSCUC also finalized our campus commendations and recommendations, which can be viewed online with the official letter.  

“We are thrilled and empowered by this reaccreditation” said University President Gayle Hutchinson. “Together, with guidance from our new Strategic Plan and a focus on inclusive excellence and accountability, we will unlock the true potential of our University, enhance students’ experiences and transform tomorrow.”

The commission commended CSU, Chico in several areas:

• The University’s caring response to the devastating wildfires of 2018, including its exceptional support, leadership and volunteer efforts
• The University’s faculty and staff for providing continuity and stability during recent leadership turnovers
• A reinvigorated commitment to shared governance, effective governance and effective communication between administration, faculty and staff
• A strong commitment to students’ success and well-being in all areas
• The University’s thoughtful, strategic and collaborative approach to distance education
• The recent reassessment and process for continuous improvement of its general education program
• Laudable overall improvements in retention and graduation rates, reductions in achievement gaps and increases to diversity

WSCUC also provided CSU, Chico with recommendations focused on making assessment and program review more meaningful, using data to drive big decisions, serving transfer and non-traditional students more, permanentizing administrative interim positions and increasing faculty diversity. The University has already started to address this important work and will continue to engage the campus community in making these valued improvements.

The reaffirmation of accreditation is the result of more than two years of planning. The WSCUC site visitors repeatedly conveyed how much they appreciated and valued CSU, Chico’s caring spirit, devotion to students and campus community—qualities the University recognizes as integral parts of the Chico Experience.

“This eight-year reaccreditation reaffirms and reenergizes our dedication to student learning and success, our exceptional educational offerings and our institutional integrity, sustainability and accountability,” said Daniel Grassian, vice provost of Academic Programs. “It is a testament to all that we know to be true and have worked to demonstrate during this evaluation process. I extend my sincere thanks to all who were engaged in our successful reaccreditation process.”