Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 66.74
Liaison Jennifer Bodine
Submission Date July 22, 2024

STARS v2.2

Weber State University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.61 / 4.00 Bonnie Christiansen
Academic Sustainability Coordinator
Sustainability Practices and Research Center
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Percentage of need met, on average, for students who were awarded any need-based aid :
64.90

Percentage of students graduating without student loan debt:
67.65

Percentage of entering students that are low-income:
27

Graduation/success rate for low-income students:
36.80

A brief description of notable policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:

We have numerous outreach and support efforts to engage underrepresented students on campus. We are unique in that we also offer the Dream Weber Program for students who are unable to receive full funding from the Pell program. The Dream Weber program provides free tuition and general student fees to students whose annual household income is $50,000 or less by using a combination of federal and state financial aid and money given to the university from generous donors. The purpose of the Dream Weber Program is to help students complete a college degree — which will improve their earning potential throughout their lives. Weber State University has the lowest in-state tuition of Utah's 4-year institutions.


https://www.weber.edu/affordability/default.html 


A brief description of notable policies or programs to support non-traditional students:

1) Up until academic year 2024, WSU housed The Nontraditional Student Center. Due to State Legislations (HB 261) the The Nontraditional Student Center has been re-named "Student Navigation and Transition Center. Through the spring of 2024 the Nontradition Student Center was intended to assist nontraditional students (25 years or older, married/divorced/widowed, or a parent) in making a successful academic and social transition to Weber State University.


The center was designed to support students' academic progress and social adjustment to the WSU environment by utilizing university departments, faculty and staff, programs, and student organizations to provide assistance and encouragement. It is stilll our vision to provide a welcoming, friendly, and comfortable environment. The center's goal was to create help all students feel recognized, valued, and completely connected to the larger Weber State University community as much as possible.


2) The center offered pre-college access and outreach programs that include K-16 partnerships and encourage under-represented students who are traditionally non-college bound to pursue and successfully complete a post-secondary education that meets the mutual needs of the university, public school system and community. Develop and implement strategies for better coordination and linkage of k-16 pipeline outreach and transition activity partners for underrepresented students. Develop strategies for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of educational outreach initiatives. Facilitate networking and discussion among campus and community entirely involved in outreach. Develop a sustainable funding stream; support programs and expectation.


3) The center insured an equal educational opportunity for all individuals with disabilities. Disability Services, previously Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), provides access to all university functions, activities, and programs. This program insured Weber State University's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable regulations and guidelines under state and federal law associated with access for individuals with disabilities.


The scope of our services is limited primarily to program access and the rights of people with disabilities to an equal education. The program's responsibility for architectural access is limited to advising appropriate campus and state agencies regarding known and/or anticipated architectural barriers. This department provides specialized services, technology, and advisement to meet the specific needs of each qualified disabled student. 


These services cover all generally acknowledged types of disabling conditions including certain cognitive and emotional problems (subject to documented verification) in addition to visual impairments, hearing impairments, and mobility impairments. Individualized service programs are designed specifically to fit each student's needs and abilities. SSD, now Disability Services, supports a strong philosophy of individual independence and self-determination. This office serves as a resource for both the campus and surrounding community. The staff is well versed on the ethical principles and established federal guidelines related to the rights and responsibilities of people with disabilities. Students as well as faculty and staff can request advisement from highly trained personnel about issues related to disabilities. We also provide a wide range of adaptive equipment and technology designed to assist people with disabilities. This equipment may be made available to the public on a limited basis.


https://www.weber.edu/disabilityservices 


https://www.weber.edu/nondiscriminationandaccessibility   


Estimated percentage of students that participate in or directly benefit from the institution’s policies and programs to support low-income and non-traditional students:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s accessibility and affordability initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Affordability - https://www.weber.edu/affordability/default.html 


Accessibility - https://www.weber.edu/nondiscriminationandaccessibility  


Access to these sites would not link from the Website URL (optional) field above. These are the pages on WSU's website addressing affordability and accessibility.  


The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.