Accreditation Board

Formation of a WINHEC Accreditation Authority Board of Affirmation

by Dr. Ray Barnhardt - Chairperson


At its annual meeting in Brisbane, Australia in August, 2004 the Executive Board of the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium formally accredited the following programs offered by the Maori Wananga (Tribal Colleges) in New Zealand: a Bachelors of Maori Law and Philosophy offered by Te Wananga o Raukawa; a Bachelors of Maori Education - Teaching offered by Te Wananga o Awanuiarangi; and Te Arataki Manu Körero a Kaumatua (Elders) program offered by Te Wananga o Aotearoa.


Based on that experience, the following proposal to establish a standing WINHEC Accreditation Authority Board of Affirmation was put forward for consideration and adopted by the WINHEC Executive Board, which had been serving as the Interim Board for the Accreditation Authority.


Title: WINHEC Accreditation Authority Board of Affirmation


Membership: The WINHEC Accreditation Authority Board of Affirmation shall be made up of one representative from each member Indigenous region (currently Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Alaska, U.S./AIHEC Colleges, Canada and Saamiland - others to be added as necessary) to serve a five-year (staggered) term. Board of Affirmation members shall be nominated by the appropriate Indigenous authority in each region and approved for membership by the WINHEC Executive Board. Where possible, Board of Affirmation members should have first-hand experience with Indigenous-serving programs/institutions and the WINHEC accreditation process.

Terms of Reference:

1. The WINHEC Accreditation Authority Board of Affirmation shall be responsible to and serve at the discretion of the WINHEC Executive Board. The activities of the Board of Affirmation shall be managed through the WINHEC Head Office and all formal actions of the Board of Affirmation shall be subject to approval by the WINHEC Executive Board.




2. The primary function of the WINHEC Accreditation Authority Board of Affirmation shall be to oversee the implementation of the WINHEC accreditation review process, including but not limited to the following activities:
   
   1. Maintain, update and disseminate the Accreditation Handbook and all associated materials, including formal records of completed accreditation reviews.
   2. Establish criteria for eligibility and procedures for reviewing applications for candidacy, including conducting a preliminary site visit prior to acceptance as a candidate for consideration.
   3. Establish clear and user-friendly guidelines for conducting a program/institutional self study and preparing the appropriate documentation for an accreditation review.
   4. Establish guidelines for selection, appointment and responsibilities of the site review team and the process for conducting a site visit.
   5. Review the report of each site review team to insure appropriate standards have been met and submit recommendations to the WINHEC Executive Board for action.
   6. Review and monitor Interim Reports from accredited programs/ institutions to insure all standards and practices are maintained over the period of approval.




3. Assist the WINHEC Head Office in developing appropriate ways to recognize the quality of WINHEC-accredited programs/institutions and disseminate information to bring further credence and recognition to the WINHEC accreditation process.

For further information contact the WINHEC Head Office: winhec@samiskhs.no