The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment is responsible for assisting the academic areas with compliance of state-mandated directives. These directives, found in the statewide Compact for the Future of West Virginia, emphasize accountability based on performance at every level of the educational system. The Higher Education Policy Commission is directing West Liberty University, and all public institutions of higher learning in the State of West Virginia, to complete an institutional Compact (2011-12 WLU Compact). The West Liberty University Compact Update is a collaborative effort that includes a Compact Committees of administrators, staff, and faculty. To assist with Compact updates, the HEPC provides a detailed document for reporting (Report.Elements) as well as specific instruction for the current year. The West Liberty 2011-12 Compact is approved by the WLU Board of Governors and by the WV Higher Education Policy Commission at its February 17, 2012 meeting. In an extremely positive (report), the HEPC recognized West Liberty University for exceeding enrollment goals, adding master degree awards, increasing degree production, including those in STEM fields, increasing external funding for research, using assessment data for decision-making and program revisions, and for distributing over $2 million in financial aid to students in the 2010-11 AY. The next update to the West Liberty Compact is due to the HEPC by October 1, 2012.
