The NEW SACS

Everything You Wanted to Know About Accreditation, But Didn’t Care Enough to Ask

If this is the NEW SACS, what was the OLD SACS? Last done at UTPA 1994-96

Was completed in January, 1996

470 MUST STATEMENTS

Consumed thousands of work hours

Accounted for tens of thousands of pages 2.5 library shelves, 3 inch, 3-ring binders.

What is SACS?

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 11 southern states: AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN,

TX, VA and Latin America

Designated Accrediting Agency by U.S. Congress

All institutions of higher education who award: baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degrees.

Is accreditation mandatory?

No, it is Voluntary! Began in 1895 with six institutions. Goal Then: Elevate the standard of scholarship in

university education. In business 110 years Goal Now: Encourage continuous improvement in

the quality of education.

Who Cares?

Parents, students, communities, governmental bodies, bonding agencies, trust officers, financial institutions,

employers, graduate and professional schools, customers/clients/patients, alumni, etc.

Accreditation gives creditability to classes taught, professors who teach, and degrees awarded.

How Often is Each Member Reviewed?

Every ten years

Provisions for review if “substantive changes” occur – anytime

How Does the NEW Process Work? Began in 2001, after three years study 11 schools “piloted” the NEW process

Texas A&M and Richland College 2003-04 first year NEW process utilized Three Teams

Leadership Compliance Certificate Quality Enhancement Plan

What is a Leadership Team?

Short Answer: A Steering Committee

Coordinates Manages, Administers, Conducts Oversees, Supervise Ensures, Insures, Guarantees

The Final Decision-maker

Table of OrganizationThe Teams

Leadership

(11 Members)

Bill Turk, Chair

Compliance Certification Quality Enhancement

(25 Members) (31 Members)

Susan Griffith, Chair Judy Davidson, Chair

What is a Certificate of Compliance Team? Short Answer: An Audit Committee Focused on Past and Present

15 Core Requirements (basic qualifications) 52 Comprehensive Standards (implicit

requirements) 8 Federal Requirements

Narrative and Documentation for each of the 75 Principles

Full-Compliance, Partial or Non

CoC Example #1

Core Requirement 2.12

“The institution has developed an accept-able Quality Enhancement Plan and demonstrates that the plan is part of an ongoing planning and evaluation process.”

Narrative (75 pages) and Documentation (25 pages)

CoC Example #2

Core Requirement 2.10

“The institution provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission that promote student learning and enhance the development of its students.” [Learning Assistance, Academic Advisement, Counseling, Tutorial, Health]

Narrative and Documentation (no limits)

What is a Quality Enhancement Plan (Team)?

Short Answer: A Future Plan to Improve Student Learning

“The QEP describes a carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a well-defined topic or issue(s) related to enhancing student learning.”

Handbook, page 21

QEP Examples1. Student Engagement with Learning

Virginia Commonwealth University2. Improving Student Learning Through

Comprehensive Curriculum Development and Assessment

LSU Alexandria3. Active and Collaborative Learning in First Year

ClassesUniversity of Alabama

4. Do the Right Thing: A Campus Conversation with Ethics

Texas Tech University5. Leaders Educated to Make a Difference

Florida State University

Quality Enhancement Plan

Topics Under Consideration

1. Engagement of Life-long Learners

2. Active and Collaborative Learning for Student Success

3. Partnerships for Access and Success (recall the page

limitations)

What’s the time-frame?

Orientation in Atlanta June 13, 2005

Compliance Certification

Report Due Sept. 10, 2006

Quality Enhancement

Plan Due Feb. 5, 2007

On-Site Peer Review Mar.-Apr., 2007

Impact Report for QEP Jan.-Feb., 2012

How many people? Approximately 100 faculty, staff and students will be

directly involved. Every person associated with the University will have

been contacted in some manner, will have responded to a survey, answered questions, furnished data or other information and/or attended a meeting.

Ultimately, will involve everyone.

How much money?

There is no reasonable way to account for all the costs.

Those which can be identified will likely run between $350,000 and $450,000 for the 2.5 year project.

Is it Worth it?

Absolutely!

Without accreditation our classes and degrees are worthless.

With accreditation, SACS affirms that UTPA is in compliance with the basic standards and principles established for the 786 institutions of higher education in its region.

Can You Get More Information?YES!

Sources The Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for

Quality Enhancement. 2004. SACS. Handbook for Reaffirmation of Accreditation.

2003. SACS. SACS Web Site: www.sacscoc.org

UTPA Web Site (under construction) sacs.panam.edu

Thank You!

And now

Your Questions?