Commission renews UVSC accreditation

OREM — Utah Valley State College received renewal of accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the school announced on Tuesday.

Accreditation is necessary for UVSC students to participate in federal financial aid programs. The Northwest Commission is a nonprofit organization, but the government recognizes it and other regional accreditation organizations as setting academic and organizational standards in higher education.

Accreditation is reviewed every 10 years. UVSC officials conducted an in-depth self-study, and in April a committee of education experts and administrators visited the campus. They noted strengths and weaknesses and recommended to officials at the Northwest Commission that the school be reaccredited.

UVSC was commended by the evaluation committee for creating new academic programs and the ability to address the needs of a rapidly growing student body despite limited funds.