In preparation for a special visit by University of Hawai'i-Manoa's accrediting agency, administrators and faculty met with Western Association of Schools and Colleges' executive director Ralph Wolff to discuss what the agency would be looking for during a site visit in March 2007.

During a meeting yesterday morning at UH-Manoa's campus center, Wolff told a crowd of dozens of faculty members that he is pleased with the progress the university has made since 1999, when the agency criticized its lack of leadership, planning, communication and vision.

He said he also has seen "significant progress" since the turmoil involving former UH president Evan Dobelle in 2004.

Wolff told faculty members that his visit this week, and the agency's planned visit in 2007, should not be viewed as a threat to accreditation.

"I'm not here to find fault," Wolff said. "We'll be here to give feedback and prepare for the comprehensive visit in 2009. Our role is to help you become the best you can become and not to be policemen."

Neal Smatresk, vice chancellor of academic affairs, said for the past nine months the university has been accepting input from faculty about "improving the Manoa experience" through increased support to retain students and help them graduate in a timely manner. That input is being compiled into a pre-visit proposal due to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges by Nov. 15, he said.

Wolff said the association, which is not scheduled for a full accreditation visit until 2009, would be looking for further evidence that Manoa has indeed improved lines of communication between administration and faculty since 1999 and that the university is adequately assessing student learning.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.