Occidental College is currently engaged in the process of reaccreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). As noted in the WASC Handbook, "The WASC accreditation process aids institutions in developing and sustaining effective educational programs and assures the educational community, the general public, and other organizations that an accredited institution has met high standards of quality and effectiveness." Institutional accreditation in the United States is a voluntary and non-governmental process in which Occidental College participates as a public acknowledgment of the college's commitment to ongoing improvement in its educational effectiveness, especially with regard to student learning.
The college was last accredited by WASC in 2001. Since that time the process of institutional accreditation has changed considerably. Under the new process each accredited institution commits itself to an open process of "inquiry and change."
The WASC accreditation process involves three phases:
This website has been created as a tool for all members of the campus community to learn about the reaccreditation process, follow its activities, and actively engage with the process. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please forward them to Eric Frank, VP for Academic Affairs and Accreditation Liaison Officer, Coons Third Floor, ext. 2634 or via email.