Current Cycle

WSCUC commended Pepperdine for the following:

1. Demonstrating a strong dedication to its mission and vision of community.
2. Collaborating on program review processes through the Advancement of Student Learning Council and Office of Institutional Effectiveness to amplify the use of student learning outcomes to inform decision-making and improve student success.
3. Shifting the culture of assessment to place a strong focus on strengthening student learning and enhancing curriculum.
4. Developing visually engaging platforms and reports, such as data dashboards and flash reports that display relevant assessment and performance outcomes to monitor improvement of student learning and campus climate of different groups, which contributes to the goal of knowledge sharing.
5. Providing strong financial leadership focused on looking forward strategically and innovatively.  
6. Creating a financial planning process that is well-defined and structured but allows for agility as things change; is aligned with the mission of the institution; has a focus on revenue diversification; and provides support for allocating resources strategically.

WSCUC recommended that the University:

1. Accelerate progress on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  With the participation of the full range of campus stakeholders, including the Board of Regents and senior leadership: a) create a clear, institution-wide definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion that is consistent with Pepperdine’s mission and purpose, and b) develop an integrated, actionable plan with accountability mechanisms and the appropriate allocation of resources to create a more inclusive environment for students, staff, and faculty that addresses equity and inclusion concerns identified by campus constituents.  (CFR 1.4, Equity and Inclusion Policy)
2. Develop and codify a definition of shared governance that clarifies roles and responsibilities of the faculty and administration and explicitly incorporates the institution’s commitment to collaboration and communication:  a) create formalized institutional structures and procedures that reflect this definition; and b) ensure shared governance processes are clearly defined with appropriate timelines for stakeholders to provide input into decisions in which they have a direct and reasonable interest. (CFRs 3.7, 3.10)
3. Develop clear purposes for knowledge sharing by identifying goals or lines of inquiry at the level of the institution and/or schools:  a) determine what knowledge will be shared, how it will be communicated, and for what purposes; and b) develop protocols to assess the effectiveness of this knowledge sharing and its intended purposes. (CFRs 1.2, 4.1, 4.3, 4.6)
4. Address differently held conceptions of the purpose, value, and process of assessment at Pepperdine for student learning and success, including clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness vis-a-vis assessment coordination and training within and across academic units. (CFRs 2.4, 2.6, 2.10, 4.2)
5. Coordinate assessment processes (Annual Student Achievement Reports, program reviews, assessment of program learning outcomes, and the institution’s educational research endeavors) and use the results of a more integrated approach for strategic budget and resource planning. (CFRs 4.1, 4.3, 4.4)

Commission Action Letter

Visiting Team Report