Enthusiastic cries of “Biba UOG!” filled the atrium of the School of Business and Public Administration, where staff, students and community members gathered to hear Underwood’s announcement.
The university president read to the crowd from a letter he received on June 24 from WASC President and Executive Director Ralph A. Wolff. In the letter, Wolff wrote that the university had received eight years of accreditation, the longest period of reaccredidation in the institution’s history.
Prior to Underwood’s announcement, UOG’s longest period of reaffirmation was five years, which the university received twice before; once in 1968 and again in 1995. The maximum period of reaccredidation an institution can receive is ten years.
According to Underwood, the WASC team that visited the school on March 31 through April 2 was impressed with the changes made in terms of increased enrollment and the overall quality of education. The university has put extra effort into these areas since the last WASC visit five years ago.
Wolff mentioned in his letter to Underwood that the university “has established…more vigorous academic programs, and a highly participatory culture of evidence and continuous improvement.”
Underwood told the crowd that this most recent review was by far the best review in UOG’s history, since WASC usually hands out three or five-year accreditations, and to receive accreditation for eight years is rare.
“Today is a great day for UOG,” said Underwood as he thanked the crowd for their hard work and commitment. “I have never seen morale so high, or seen so many people working together.”
Sonny Ada, chairman of the UOG board of regents, also thanked those involved in the accreditation process, saying that eight years of accreditation would not have been possible without “a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of effort.”
The university first received accreditation from WASC in 1955, when the university was known as the Territorial College of Guam. UOG continued its streak of continuous accreditation until the late 1990’s, when the university was placed on probation by WASC. It wasn’t until 2002 that WASC renewed the institution’s accreditation, with UOG remaining in good standing with the organization since then.
Although the crowd was focused on the university community, Underwood took the time to remind those gathered that UOG is just part of the broader educational picture on Guam.
“UOG is glad to be partners with the Guam Community College and the Guam Public School System, and the island is glad to be served by such far-reaching leadership,” said Underwood.
Ada reiterated what Underwood said by telling the audience that, “UOG is one of Guam’s greatest assets.”
According to Dr. Helen Whippy, UOG senior vice president and accreditation liaison, UOG will have to produce an interim report for WASC in 2011. However, UOG will be considered accredited until 2017, when the next WASC visit will take place.
