University Profile 13 University Profile Overview Weber State University is an exceptional comprehensive university providing associate, bachelor and master's degrees to meet the needs of the region. WSU graduates are broadly educated, capable and prepared for meaningful careers, graduate and professional schools, and civic engagement. The hallmark of the university is excellent teaching with extraordinary interactions between faculty and students. WSU offers over 225 separate degrees/programs (see Programs Sorted by Degree or Programs Sorted by Major/ Minor) — the largest and most expansive undergraduate program in the State of Utah. With a student body of over 25,000 drawn predominantly from Utah, but also including students from 50 states and 49 foreign countries, WSU takes pride in its student-centered environment for learning and believes that quality education is founded upon close associations between faculty and students. WSU is distinguished by outstanding academic programs that recruit motivated students to work with faculty to create and share knowledge. More than fifty academic departments and programs in seven colleges provide learning opportunities for a diverse spectrum of students, including grants and support for undergraduate research, community-based and service learning, an Honors program, and a Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) program. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and Community-Based Learning (CBL) program help to engage students in learning both inside and outside the classroom, and the Honors program provides small classes in a rich, supportive, and challenging academic setting. The BIS offers students the opportunity to design their own degrees with three areas of academic emphasis meant to prepare them for specific career paths or graduate study. Academic studies are complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student government, intramural and intercollegiate athletics, and award-winning performing arts groups. In addition, the Student Success Center along with the First Year Experience program helps new students adjust to the university community, while a variety of support services aid those with particular needs. The WSU Ogden campus has 60 buildings on 526 acres that house abundant classrooms and laboratories, excellent student computing facilities, outstanding performing arts auditoriums, a spacious library, and a well-equipped health and fitness center. An area of continued growth is WSU- Davis, which provides instruction to students on a new high- tech campus in Layton. In addition to its Ogden and Davis campuses, WSU offers courses throughout the state and Intermountain West and is a leader in online instruction. Historical Perspective Weber State University was founded in Ogden, Utah, as Weber Stake Academy on January 7,1889, by the Weber Stake Board of Education of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 1933 Utah Legislature established Weber College as a state junior college and placed it under the control of the Utah State Board of Education. Following World War II the college outgrew its downtown campus and moved to the present 400-acre site, spectacularly perched on the mountainside overlooking Ogden and the Great Salt Lake. In 1959 the Utah Legislature authorized the addition of upper division courses, leading to award of the first baccalaureate degrees by Weber State College in 1964. The 1969 Legislature created the Utah System of Higher Education, comprising nine public institutions of higher learning, including Weber State College. The system is governed by a State Board of Regents, and each institution has its own Board of Trustees; members of both boards are appointed by the governor. In 1990 the state legislature renamed the institution Weber State University, effective New Year's Day 1991, appropriately symbolizing its role as Utah's premier public, undergraduate university. Mission Statement Weber State University provides associate, baccalaureate and master degree programs in liberal arts, sciences, technical and professional fields. Encouraging freedom of expression and valuing diversity, the university provides excellent educational experiences for students through extensive personal contact among faculty, staff and students in and out of the classroom. Through academic programs, research, artistic expression, public service and community-based learning, the university serves as an educational, cultural and economic leader for the region. WSU Mission Core Themes Assessment Each of the mission core themes has objectives, indicators of achievement and empirical assessment measures of the indicators. This section contains summary assessment data for the indicators of achievement for each of the core theme objectives. ACCESS Programs and degrees are responsive to student needs Students earn degrees Graduates have "next step" success Student enrollments reflect support for non- traditional students Student enrollments reflect diversity and inclusion LEARNING Students participate in learning experiences such as undergraduate research, service learning, and other forms of experience-based learning Students experience extensive contact with faculty, staff and other students Students are satisfied with student support services Students achieve General Education learning goals Students achieve the learning goals of Major programs Faculty engage in creative and scholarly activity Faculty perceive that WSU fosters knowledge creation, free inquiry and free expression for faculty and students. COMMUNITY WSU contributes to Pre K-12 education and professional development WSU promotes preparation for higher education The community participates in a diverse offering of WSU events WSU facilitates community development through public service Weber State University 2012-2013 Catalog