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| Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) |
What is SACS?
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the recognized regional accrediting body for institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degrees in the eleven U.S. southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia).
What is the Purpose of Accreditation?
Accreditation is a voluntary and self-regulatory mechanism of the higher-education community. Achieving and maintaining accreditation serves to foster public confidence in educational organizations, demonstrates compliance with standards, enhances institutional effectiveness, improves the quality of educational programs, and meets the requirements to receive federal financial aid for students.
Who is responsible for ensuring SACS is
re-accredited?
Dr. Kuttler has formed a
SACS Steering Committee to monitor the reaffirmation process. Dr.
Kuttler is the Chair and Dr. Tom Furlong is the Administrator of the
committee. Dr. Jim Olliver is heading up the development of the
Quality Enhancement Plan. The committee has key representatives from
the areas responsible for institutional effectiveness, faculty
credentialing, compliance certification, and the Quality Enhancement
Committee. In addition, we all are responsible for aspiring to the
highest standards, striving for continuous improvement, and adhering to the
principle of integrity.
How has the current accreditation
process changed from the past?
Previously, compliance was much more prescriptive.
An institution prepared and submitted a self-study document citing
how they were in compliance with over 450 "must" statements. The current accreditation process involves demonstrating compliance
with new, less-prescriptive standards spelled out in the
Principles of Accreditation. Being less prescriptive gives
the institutions more latitude in tailoring their procedures to
their setting and mission, but the reaffirmation process is, if
anything, more rigorous and challenging because the burden is on the
institution to provide "compelling evidence" of compliance. In
addition, in the past, the compliance process has always been a
backward look at how the institution has met certain standards.
Now SACS has added the requirement to prepare a Quality Enhancement
Plan to make significant improvements in an area that contributes to
student learning. This Quality Enhancement Plan is implemented
after the SACS on-site team approves it, and generally takes at
least 18 months to five years to complete. We are required to
write a follow-up report after five years on the results of the
plan.
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What is the Quality Enhancement
Plan (QEP)?
The QEP is a document prepared by the
college that describes an action plan for institutional
improvement crucial to enhancing educational quality
directly related to student learning. The QEP is based
on a comprehensive analysis of the college’s
effectiveness in supporting student learning and
accomplishing the college’s mission. If our plan is
accepted by SACS, it must:
• Focus on a significant issue related to student
learning.
• Show we are capable of initiating and continuing
the plan.
• Include methods for assessing the success of the
plan.
• Show broad-based involvement from all areas of
the college.
What is the Quality Enhancement
Committee (QEC)?
The QEC was established in July 2004 at
SPC with the twofold purpose of:
• implementing and monitoring short-term
improvement projects and
• preparing the final QEP document to be submitted
to SACS in August 2006.
The QEP must be approved by SACS before the actual
implementation of the plan. |
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What is the timetable of events related to SACS
activities for SPC?
| January 2005 |
SACS Orientation for Leadership Team |
| Throughout 2005 |
Collaborative labs for Faculty, Students, Program Directors, and
QEC |
| January 2006 |
Special All-Faculty Collaborative Lab |
| March 2007 |
Compliance Certification submitted |
| August 2007 |
Quality Enhancement Plan due |
| September 25-27, 2007 |
SACS On-site visit |
| December 2007 |
SACS vote on reaffirmation |
How do I learn more about SACS reaffirmation initiatives at SPC?
Updates and awareness information will be disseminated via newsletter,
email, and SACS meetings at each site. Dr. Kuttler wants every
employee to become 'SACS Certified', having received relevant, tailored
compliance and quality enhancement information/training using
active/collaborative techniques to enhance critical thinking (we practice
what we preach!) Be on the lookout for these upcoming training events
- they'll be fun and informative!
For questions about compliance, contact our Accreditation Liaison, Lynn
Grinnell, at grinnell.lynn@spcollege.edu.
For questions regarding the QEP, contact Earl Fratus at
fratus.earl@spcollege.edu.
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