Weber State Profile S^l^^s f^-"^^i l^jljgp Historical Perspective Weber State 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 as a state junior college and placed it under the control of the Utah State Board of Education. In 1959 the Utah Legislature authorized the addition of upper division courses, which action resulted in the first junior class in 1962-63 and the first senior class in 1963-64. The 1969 Legislature created a Utah System of Higher Education and placed Weber along with all other state institutions of higher learning under a State Board of Regents and an Institutional Council, the members of which are appointed by the Governor of the State. Today, Weber State supports a student body of approximately 13,000 representing nearly all the states and many foreign countries, and a faculty-staff roster of over 1,000 people. The campus is situated on the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains overlooking Ogden, Utah. It encompasses over 400 acres with 57 buildings which house excellent student computer lab facilities, an outstanding fine arts center and a spacious library. Because of its large enrollment and number of schools and departments, the state legislature recently approved the college for university status beginning January 1, 1991. Weber State takes pride in being recognized as a comprehensive college which provides programs for students with all interests and educational goals. Weber State offers undergraduate liberal education in the arts, humanities, and sciences; vocational and professional programs in education, business and technology; and specialized training in the allied health sciences. While maintaining its role as an undergraduate institution, Weber State has also been authorized to offer master's degrees in education and in accounting. In filling its role, Weber State also provides a wide range of co-curricular activities, including drama, athletics, music, forensics, and student government. Mission Statement Weber State provides learning opportunities appropriate to a comprehensive institution of higher education, welcoming learners from all regions and nations. The chief mission of Weber is to meet the educational needs of Utah through roles assigned by the State Board of Regents in the liberal arts and sciences and a variety of vocations and professions. Primarily committed to quality undergraduate education, Weber's selection of degree programs includes some advanced professional preparation. Students are admitted on the basis of demonstrated competence in skills that assure a reasonable chance of success in both college and career. Curricula emphasize further development of such skills, together with acquisition of knowledge and development of character. Eligibility for degrees requires meeting established standards of competence through outcomes assessment. Instructional programs are designed to prepare students for immediate employment or further study, at the same time equipping them through liberal education for lifelong learning in a changing world. The process of learning is emphasized, as well as accumulation of knowledge. Organized around traditional disciplines, Weber State also cultivates opportunities for faculty and students to transcend disciplinary boundaries. Extensive personal contact between faculty and students creates an enriched learning environment both in and out of the classroom. Weber State responds to its changing Utah environment through public service activities, as well as through conventional and innovative instruction. In order to insure the vitality needed for effective teaching and service, faculty engage in scholarship, research, artistic expression, and other professional pursuits. Weber State serves as a cultural center for its region and seeks to be a leader in addressing the particular needs of its students, stimulating community economic development, and improving public education. Distinctive Characteristics Weber State has consistently provided quality educational programs to students, and technical and cultural services to the community, northern Utah and the world. Some of its distinctive characteristics and achievements include the following: • First U.S. college to orbit a satellite designed and built by undergraduates; • Debate program consistently rated in top ten in National Debate Tournament competition; • Only institution between the Great Plains and Pacific Coast selected for Project 30, a Carnegie-funded national project to develop local models for improvement of teacher education; • Selected by Utah Department of Community and Economic Development to run statewide High Technology Training Center; • Allied Health Sciences graduates have 100% pass rate on national licensure exams; • The acceptance rate of graduates by medical schools is 30% above the national average; • The cooperative automotive technician training programs with General Motors and Toyota are considered the best in the nation; • Three-state computer network (WEMATH) linking school math teachers for instructional resource sharing recognized by U.S. Department of Education as exemplary project. Accreditation Weber State is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the official accrediting agency for the region. It is a member of the American Council on Education and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Various departments and programs also are accredited by special agencies. The School of Education Teacher Education programs are accredited by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Music area in the Department of Performing Arts is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The programs in the Department of Chemistry are approved and certified by the American Chemical Society. In the School of Allied Health Sciences, the Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the American Dental Association; the Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing; and the Health Administrative Services program is accredited by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. Other programs in the School of Allied Health Sciences are accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation. In the Department of Social Work and Gerontology, the Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. In the School of Technology, the programs of Auto Engineering Technology, Electronic Technology, Electronic Engineering Technology, and Manufacturing Engineering Technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Organization and Administration The ten-member Institutional Council has the responsibility of implementing the roles assigned by the Board of Regents, including the appointment of personnel and the enactment of rules and governing regulations. Weber State is administered by the President, the President's Staff, the Faculty Senate, and the faculty. To achieve its purposes, Weber State is organized into seven resident schools with forty-three departments, and a Division of Continuing Education. An Honors Program and a Learning Center provide individualized assistance to students. 7