Saint Martin's College reaccredited by commission

Wednesday, January 15, 2003

Lacey, Wash. - Saint Martin’s College has been notified that its accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has been reaffirmed.

This reaffirmation was based on a comprehensive self-study completed by the college in October 2002 and on a three-day site visit by a team of 11 evaluators selected by the commission from other colleges and universities. The team interviewed faculty, students, staff and administrators; reviewed program curricula; examined facilities and resources; and ensured that Saint Martin’s met the nine standards by which the commission insures the quality of higher education institutions and their programs.

“The evaluation is intended to help colleges and universities distinguish their strengths and weaknesses and point out directions for change and improvement,” said Saint Martin’s College President David R. Spangler, Ph.D. “We appreciate the substantive comments and recommendations offered to the college by the commission.”

The process also assures that all course credits taken and degrees earned at Saint Martin’s College are official and, if appropriate, transferable to other college and universities.

In its letter to the college, the Commission stated that it “commends the college on its candid and thoughtful self-study.” Additional commendations included the college’s support of faculty development funding, improvements in the physical facilities and the degree of faculty commitment to student advising and instruction.

The commission asked that within the next year, the college address the need for institutional research and data collection essential to program evaluation, resource allocation, services and activities; finalize a plan for post-tenure review of faculty; develop a college-wide system for specifying and assessing program and student outcomes for each academic program; and institute a plan to increase the core collection in the library.

Saint Martin’s is a Roman Catholic, Benedictine, coeducational college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the liberal arts and professions at its main campus near Olympia as well as its Fort Lewis Army Post and McChord Air Force Base extension campuses. The college has been continuously accredited since 1937. The self-study and site visit marked the regular 10-year evaluation cycle.

For more information:
David R. Spangler
President
360-438-4307

Deanna Partlow
Media coordinator / senior editor
360-438-4541 or dpartlow@stmartin.edu