The U will host the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities as it reviews the university’s performance Oct. 9 through 11.

NWCCU will bring a team of 13 commission members to campus to assess the quality of education at the U and give its accreditation recommendation.

The evaluation team will comprise professors and professionals from universities across the northwest.

The group will conduct interviews in departments across the college as well as review self-reported documents and evaluations from each department.

The U hosted its last accreditation visit in 1996, when it was reaccredited for 10 years.

Accreditation of colleges and universities ensures certain standards of education, a basis for accepting transfer credits and establishes the value of a degree. Graduation from an accredited school is also a prerequisite for admission into certain graduate programs or employment opportunities.

The report of the U’s evaluation will be presented to the NWCCU in December.