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WASC Stipulated Policies
One of the required elements an institution must include
in its Institutional Proposal (Section III, page 40, #9)
is an Institutional Stipulation Statement signed by the
chief executive officer. One of the stipulations is
“that the institution has published and publicly
available policies in force as identified by the
Commission. Such policies will be available for review
on request throughout the period of accreditation.”
Those policies and statements include:
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
Written policies on due process and grievance procedures
for faculty, staff and 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
A clear statement that the institution agrees to abide
by WASC Policy on Substantive Change and the Policy on
Distance and Technology-Mediated Instruction
California State
University San Marcos certifies:
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That the
university is using the accreditation review process
to demonstrate its fulfillment of WASC's Core
Commitments to Institutional Capacity and
Educational Effectiveness; that it will engage in
the process with seriousness; and that data
presented will be accurate and will fairly present
the institution.
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That the
university has published and has publicly made
available the stipulated policies identified by the
Commission for the purpose of demonstrating
compliance with the Core Commitments. These policies
will be available for review on request throughout
the period of accreditation.
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That the
university will abide by procedures adopted by the
Commission to meet U.S. Department of Education
procedural requirements.
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That the
university will submit all regularly required data,
and any data specifically requested by the
Commission during the period of accreditation.
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That the
university has reviewed its off-campus programs and
degree programs offered by distance learning to
ensure they have been approved by the WASC
substantive change process.
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
Institutions that support applied research having the
potential for producing significant revenue have clear
policies on how faculty responsible for such research
share revenue from patents, licenses, and sales.
Institutions supporting entrepreneurial activity of
faculty of institutionally sponsored research parks have
clear policies covering the involvement of faculty in
such ventures, the protection of basic research, and the
publication of research results
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
Requirements for continuation in, or termination from,
academic programs, and a policy for readmission of
students who are disqualified for academic reasons
Clearly stated graduation requirements that are
consistently applied in the degree certification process
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
Library
Written library collection development and weeding
policies, including the bases for accepting gifts
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
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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Accreditation