Western Institute for Social Research

For the past several years, many among you have helped us to move WISR toward national accreditation. Although significant work remains to be done, feedback from the accrediting agency indicates that we are making tangible progress. The realization of that goal is approximately a year to 18 months off, and as we move forward, the accreditation application fees will be significant, including at least $40,000 over the next nine months.

 

Donations of any amount are appreciated, but do give what you can--remember very few institutions of higher learning offer high quality and personalized education for only $8,400/year, and do so for those students committed to making a difference in their communities, and aiming to support multiculturalism, inclusiveness and social justice.

For more information about WISR, read our Fact Sheet, here:  https://www.wisr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WISR-fact-sheet.pdf 

 

This letter is an update on our progress toward accreditation and appeal for assistance. We continue our progress toward accreditation, although more gradually than we had hoped, and we are currently re-writing the several hundred-page Self Evaluation Report. We are optimistic that we can gain approval for that report in the next 5 to 8 months, at which time we expect to be given the go-ahead to submit our courses for evaluation by the accreditation agency, along with the scheduling of an onsite evaluation visit, perhaps as soon as one year from now.

In the past three years, we have paid about $100,000 in accreditation fees, consulting fees to support our efforts, and audit fees. We have gone this far, thanks to donations from many of you. Further, we are progressing because of the dedication of our faculty and staff. They work at WISR for much less than the “going salary rates”--due to their commitment to our social justice and inclusiveness mission and our exceptionally innovative and high-quality educational methods that personalize learning for each of our students.

In the coming six months, each faculty member will donate at least 50% of their current salaries to help us get over the next hurdle. Still, we need an additional $16,000 to pay for the added expense of hiring a consultant who is exceptionally expert at helping schools navigate this next step with the accrediting agency.

We hope that those of you who can afford to do so will contribute to this vital effort. With your help, WISR can continue to build on its 47-year history of providing quality graduate education to professional and community leaders who make valuable contributions to others in education, counseling and therapy, and community leadership and improvements. In addition, please consider passing this letter along to colleagues, friends and family who may be inclined to help WISR. If you have questions or suggestions, please get in touch with me.

Best wishes,

John A. Bilorusky, PhD

WISR President

WISR is a tax-exempt non-profit with Federal 501(c)(3) status--most donations are tax-deductible.

And on behalf of WISR's Board of Trustees:

David Yamada, JD, Ph.D., Board Chair

Brian Harris, BA, Board Secretary

Charles Greene, MBA, Board Treasurer

Richard Lawrence, MDiv

Che Kum Clement, PhD

Karen Young, MPH, EdD

Nicole Bilorusky, MS, AMFT

Non-voting Members:

Sudia Paloma McCaleb, EdD, Faculty Rep

Toni Nemia, LMFT, MS, MA, CCFD rep

John Bilorusky, Ph.D., President