Review places UW among ‘top rank’ of U.S. universities

by Columns Staff | December 1, 1993

In a reversal of roles any former student would appreciate, the University of Washington took a test last spring when a panel of 17 top college educators reviewed its academic program.

The results of this accreditation process, held every 10 years, earned the UW the equivalent of an A+, with the panel stating the UW “has achieved an estimable position among the top rank of American public universities.”

The review, mandated by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, was based on an 18-month University self-study and a campus visit in April. It was led by UC-Davis Chancellor Theodore Hullar and included presidents, deans, chair and faculty from top U.S. universities such as Stanford, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

The UW’s high ranking is “due, in no small part, to the strong and dedicated leadership of the campus over the years, the excellent faculty recruited to and retained by the University, and the steady support and regard for the University evinced by the citizens and leadership of the state of Washington,” the review team reported.

The panel’s high praise for the UW included the following points:

• It said the faculty were highly qualified, productive and “entrepreneurial,” noting the professoriate’s ability to attract research and instructional dollars.
• The UW has a positive esprit de corps, both within its departments and for President Gerberding and his management team.
• It praised the UW’s undergraduate instruction, pointing out innovative efforts to improve it, such as freshmen interest groups and freshmen seminars.
• The team also commended the UW’s facilities, both for the beauty of the campus and for the upkeep of the existing physical plant.

In addition, the review team noted the high quality of UW students; the involvement of student and faculty in decisions; the high level of support given by UW regents, the governor and the legislature; more access to a UW diploma through the evening degree program and the branch campuses; and the quality of the UW’s invested funds management.

The panel also had a set of recommendations:

• The UW should complete work on its mission statement.
• It should develop a strategic approach to the changing environment for higher education.
• The UW should broaden the awareness of “common” needs of the institution that transcend departments, disciplines, profes­sions and cultures.
• The University should improve access to undergraduate courses.
• It should focus more efforts on the broad concept of the undergraduate experience, including such efforts as mentoring by senior faculty; the special needs of commuter students and minority students; creating community among different broad groups on campus; and ensuring that special groups of students are part of the larger community.

The report also suggested continued effort to diversify the student body and faculty, a greater emphasis on international studies, nurturing of interdisciplinary teaching and research, a comprehensive model for assessing student achievements and more space for some departments.