Oregon Tech is pleased to announce that the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has reaffirmed the university’s accreditation based on a Year 7 Self-Evaluation Report and site visit.
“This reaffirmation is significant in that this is the first full seven-year accreditation cycle for Oregon Tech as an independent university and hence, a period of major transformation. Accreditation efforts are part of every institution’s continuous improvement endeavor. I wish to convey my sincere thanks to all faculty and staff for ensuring our graduates’ success and thus supporting Oregon Tech in achieving the goal of successful reaffirmation of the university’s accreditation,” said Oregon Tech President Nagi Naganathan.
Accreditation by the NWCCU indicates that an institution of higher education meets or exceeds the criteria for an assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. According to NWCCU: “When granted, accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial. It applies to the entire institution in operation at the time of the most recent comprehensive evaluation. It indicates that the institution as a whole is substantially achieving its mission and that it meets the Commission’s expectations for compliance with the accreditation criteria.”
Institutional accreditation is reviewed and reaffirmed by the NWCCU through regular reports and site visits. During the recent site visit in Klamath Falls and at the final interview with the Commissioners in Seattle, several points of pride were mentioned and discussed, including recognition of the university’s unique polytechnic mission, the first doctoral program (Doctor of Physical Therapy), the impressive 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio for university-level instruction in a public higher education institution, significant campus infrastructure upgrades valued at nearly $150 million, and the university's national and state-level high ranking for the return on investment for students and their families, among other accomplishments.
“While we are very happy with this successful outcome for our students and our university, our Academic Affairs division will also begin implementing a review of all academic programs this year, conducting a regular university-wide self-evaluation in a spirit of continuous improvement. We are committed to ensuring that Oregon Tech continues to provide the best return on investment for our students and their families,” said President Naganathan.
The NWCCU decision has been posted on the Accreditation webpage, www.oit.edu/provost/accreditation.
###
