Breadcrumb
WSCUC Accreditation Visit: Lines of Inquiry
During the upcoming Accreditation Visit, the WSCUC team will focus on four primary lines of inquiry related to Cal Poly Humboldt’s long-term goals, institutional capacity and sustainability, and educational effectiveness. These areas will guide the team’s conversations with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and community partners, and will frame its evaluation of how well the university aligns vision, planning, resources, and student learning in support of its mission.
While the visiting team commended Humboldt for its commitment to the public good and stewardship of place, its strong educational practices, improved assessment and program review processes, strengthened data infrastructure, and steady leadership during transition, the visit itself will concentrate on forward-looking questions about implementation, integration, and long-term viability.
1. Humboldt’s Vision for the Future as a Polytechnic University
The first line of inquiry focuses on Humboldt’s evolving identity and trajectory as a polytechnic university. The WSCUC team will explore how the institution has defined its short- and long-term goals for the polytechnic transformation, how those goals are reflected in the academic master plan and Campus Physical Plan, and how they will influence the University's upcoming new strategic plan.
The team will also consider how leadership transition influences strategic continuity and how the University is sustaining shared understanding and engagement across campus and within the local community. Questions in this area center on institutional coherence: whether vision, planning, facilities, academic priorities, and resource strategies are aligned and realistically positioned to support long-term success.
2. Recruitment, Enrollment, Retention
The second line of inquiry examines enrollment strategy and student success. The team will review whether enrollment goals and projections—particularly for 2025–2035—are evidence-based and achievable in light of demographic trends and Humboldt’s polytechnic designation.
In addition, the team will explore efforts to improve retention and close achievement gaps, address enrollment shortfalls, and strengthen coordination between Enrollment Management and Student Success and Academic Affairs. It will also consider whether the size and composition of the faculty are aligned with new program growth and student needs. This inquiry focuses on institutional capacity and the integration of recruitment, academic planning, and student support strategies.
3. Financial Sustainability
The third line of inquiry addresses long-term financial viability. The team will review budget planning scenarios, revenue diversification efforts, fundraising progress, and the University’s approach to managing fluctuations in state funding.
The visit will also explore how effectively academic planning, resource allocation, program review, and student success metrics are intentionally linked through shared infrastructure and continuous feedback loops. Particular attention will be paid to recent budget adjustments and system-level enrollment and reallocation plans. This inquiry emphasizes strategic financial stewardship and alignment between fiscal decisions and institutional priorities.
4. General Education
The fourth and final line of inquiry centers on general education as a pillar of the undergraduate experience. The team will examine how the University has acted on findings from the GEAR program review, including possible refinement of program learning outcomes and improvements in assessment practices.
The team will also explore the development of cross-disciplinary assessment approaches and efforts to build shared faculty commitment to the purpose and value of general education. This inquiry reflects WSCUC’s emphasis on educational coherence, shared responsibility for student learning, and continuous improvement across the curriculum.