Appendix 1
President Brower’s Letter of Commitment to a Comprehensive Model of Institutional Effectiveness, May 2000

May 8, 2000

Dear Campus Community,

Assessment has been an increasingly important part of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ (WASC) means of determining reaffirmation of accreditation for institutions of higher education.  PLNU must file an interim report to WASC in 2002, and be ready for a reaffirmation site visit in 2009.

We recently had a visit from consultants, Jim and Karen Nichols, who reviewed a means of assessing program outcomes with department chairs, and a way of assessing service objectives with representatives from support units.  They provided simple, yet effective models to meet WASC requirements, while giving departments and support units the tools to improve programs and services.  In keeping with the momentum that their visit brought, I would like to make it clear that I am committed to implementing a comprehensive model of institutional effectiveness at Point Loma Nazarene University.

In order to do this, I am asking Patrick Allen to speak with the deans, the faculty council and other appropriate faculty representatives to discuss the formulation of the following:

1.         An Assessment Committee to oversee a comprehensive plan for the assessment of institutional effectiveness.  The committee should be fully functioning by some time during the fall of 2000.

2.         A workable timeline that will enable PLNU to meet obligations to WASC by incorporating an outcomes assessment model in our interim report.

I thank all of you for your commitment to quality higher education in the Wesleyan tradition, where investing in the hearts, souls and minds of students is our greatest reward.

Positively,

Bob Brower, Ph.D.
President