NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

3/14/2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - A four-day visit by a team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as part of the reaffirmation of accreditation process at Northwestern State University concluded Wednesday with optimism that NSU will receive a positive report.

"We were able to make Northwestern appear as fine an institution as any for a student to attend," said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. "We sought to demonstrate that that Northwestern was a very special place that adhered to the standards of the Commission on Colleges of the the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools."

The review, which takes place once every 10 years, is part of the procedure that determines if the university is reaffirmed as a quality institution of higher education. Northwestern was initially accredited by SACS in 1923.

Within two weeks, Webb will receive a draft report from the review team. The university will look over the report for any content areas. Several weeks later, the team will release their official report. Northwestern will have just over five months to examine the official report and respond to the recommendations of the team. The university hopes to receive reaffirmation of accreditation in December.

"It was obvious to them we have a learning centered university and we are serious about students being successful," said Webb, "There is a concern here about students succeeding. The team said that they found the faculty and staff love Northwestern and that speaks volumes about the people that work here."

The team also reviewed NSU's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) that focuses exclusively on student success in academic pursuits as well as career planning. Under the plan, proposed Academic and Career Engagement, or ACE, will be an improved way to enhance student learning and academic achievement as well as provide students with knowledge about the career fields they are preparing to enter. The advising and counseling initiatives are intended to put students on an academic track aligned with their interests and goals while exploring field-specific information and resources.

Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the program will begin with the Fall 2008 semester, as first-time freshmen will receive strong academic and career counseling as part of the collegiate experience.

"The team said our QEP could be a model for other institutions to follow," said Webb. "The Quality Enhancement Program plugs into the highest priority and initiatives planned on the state and national level."

Webb praised the work of the faculty and staff on reaffirmation of accreditation led by Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Patrice Moulton.

"This was a long, tiring process for many of our people, but it was an opportunity for us to learn what is really important," said Webb. "This makes us even more committed to being a student centered, responsive institution that serves our students and the people of Louisiana."

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