To: University of the People (UoPeople) Administration

We, the undersigned, are students, alumni, and supporters of UoPeople who believe in fair recognition for all graduates who completed their degrees during the WASC candidacy period (2021–Feb 14, 2025).

The Issue

- UoPeople received WASC regional accreditation on Feb 14, 2025.

- Graduates who completed their degrees before this date received only a nationally accredited (DEAC) degree—despite UoPeople being under WASC candidacy from 2021 onwards.

- This means students who studied and graduated during WASC’s evaluation period contributed to the institution’s progress but are not receiving the regional degree they helped validate.

Our Proposal for Fairness

To address this disparity, we request that UoPeople:

• 1️⃣ Retroactively grant a WASC-accredited degree to all students who graduated during the WASC candidacy period (2021–Feb 14, 2025).

OR

• 2️⃣ Allow these graduates to take one additional course, paid out-of-pocket, to qualify for a WASC-accredited degree.

Why This Matters

✅ Fair Recognition: WASC candidacy means UoPeople was meeting regional accreditation standards since 2021. Graduates from this period should not be denied the benefits of WASC recognition.

✅ Career & Educational Impact: Many graduates face barriers in job markets and further education because they hold a nationally accredited degree instead of a regional one. This limits their transferability and acceptance in many institutions.

✅ A Simple & Fair Solution: If retroactive WASC accreditation is not feasible, allowing an additional course enrollment option (self-funded, not scholarship-based) would provide a reasonable pathway to upgrade to a regionally accredited degree.

Call to Action

We urge UoPeople’s leadership to recognize the effort and academic journey of all students from the WASC candidacy period and provide them with a fair and just opportunity to receive a WASC-accredited degree.

Sign this petition to support a fair solution for UoPeople graduates!