Welcome! This page includes a description of accreditation, our outcomes, where we are in the process, ways to get involved, why it’s important and Lane’s accredited status.
Why does Lane need to be regionally accredited?
Regional accreditors provide the stamp of approval necessary for a college to access funding from the federal government. With 62% of Lane students relying on some form of federal financial aid, accreditation is essential to our financial viability. Beyond providing access to funds, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities’ (NWCCU) accreditation Standards place student success at the heart of the process and incentivize the College to strive toward continual improvement of our ability to equitably serve students, staff, faculty, administrators, and the community. Accreditation ensures that students:
- receive a quality education
- have access to federal student aid programs
- receive transferable credits
- receive appropriate licensure, certificates, and degrees appropriate to their field
- have access to the programs and services that meet their individual needs as learners
To learn more about why accreditation matters, check out, "Why does accreditation matter to me."
Our Current Understanding: Survey Results
During Fall 2019, the Accreditation Communication and Engagement Team invited Lane employees to participate in a survey to gauge awareness about the accreditation process. Overall, most respondents were aware of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) accreditation process. The survey results pointed to areas to focus future communication to help our campus community understand the impact and purpose of accreditation.
It’s the Accreditation Communication and Engagement Team’s goal to raise awareness about the process as we prepare for our 2021 NWCCU site visit. So, over the next year, expect to learn more than you ever wanted to know about accreditation and your role in continuous improvement at Lane!