3/8/2024

Dear Campus Community,

I am writing today to spotlight some of the important work being done by our Accreditation Review Committee—work that benefits the entire university. I’m pleased to share that after a long process involving faculty, students, and staff from across campus, Puget Sound has reached a milestone in our accreditation process.

Background
All institutions of higher education are required to undergo regular accreditation reviews by an independent regional body that certifies that the institution of higher education meets data- and evidence-informed quality standards and eligibility criteria. In addition to certifying the quality of a Puget Sound education, accreditation also makes the university eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs.

Puget Sound’s regional accreditor is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). NWCCU has implemented a seven-year review cycle focused on institutional effectiveness, student learning, and closing equity gaps in student achievement. Review or evaluation occurs at specific points during a seven-year cycle. The current standards require a Mid-Cycle Review in year three, a Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review (PRFR) in year six, and the Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness (EIE) in year seven.

More information about regional accreditation at Puget Sound is available on our website.

Puget Sound’s Submission of its Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review
I’m pleased to share that Puget Sound has now submitted our Policies, Regulations, and Finances Review (PRFR) to the NWCCU. The report is available on the university’s website.

This report marks an important milestone in our seven-year accreditation cycle, demonstrating that our institution continues to meet the highest standards to support continuous improvements and promote equitable student achievement. NWCCU’s rigorous accreditation process allows us to reflect on how we deliver on our mission, and challenges us to strive for even greater heights.

Please join me in thanking the members of the university-wide accreditation review committee, comprised of faculty, staff, students, and administrators who have worked tirelessly since September 2022 to prepare this comprehensive and informative report. I would especially like to recognize Miriam Chitiga for stepping into the role of committee chair and accreditation liaison officer on short notice and for her work with Jonny Eberle over the past several weeks to prepare the final report for submission.

The committee includes:

  • Miriam Chitiga, Senior Director of Intercultural Engagement and Accreditation Liaison Officer
  • Joanna Carey Cleveland, Vice President and General Counsel, Chief of Staff, and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
  • Jonny Eberle, Copywriter
  • Amy Gauthier, Director of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices
  • Janet Hallman ’82, Associate Vice President for Financial Planning & Analysis
  • Tiffany MacBain, Professor of English
  • Maggie Mittuch ’82, Associate Vice President for Student Financial Services
  • Ellen Peters, former Associate Provost
  • Leslie Saucedo, Professor of Biology
  • Amy Spivey, Dean of Faculty and Professor of Physics
  • Michael Walker ’25, student representative

I would also like to acknowledge the work of former Associate Provost Ellen Peters, who ably chaired the committee and served as our accreditation liaison officer to NWCCU for many years before she left the university in January 2024 to work for the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). I am grateful to Miriam for taking on this vital role following Ellen’s departure and want to recognize her leadership and experience in carrying this work forward.

Finally, thank you again to the entire committee for gathering evidence and crafting this report for NWCCU, and for the committee’s work ahead in preparing our seven-year Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness (EIE) Report due to NWCCU in Spring 2025. We are grateful for the vital work you do, and your commitment to Puget Sound.

With appreciation,

Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President