Accreditation Reaffirmation: An Overview

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Accreditation Reaffirmation An Overview

• David S. Adegboye, Ph.D.
• Professor of Biology
• Associate Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs
• Accreditation Liaison Officer

Presented at the Workshop on SACS Accreditation
Reaffirmation Preparation on October 16,
2008 Southern University at New Orleans 6400
Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126
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ACCREDITATION

• Accredit- to certify as meeting certain set of
  standards to bring into credit or favor to
  authorize.
• Accreditation signifies that an institution
• has a purpose appropriate to higher education
  and has resources, programs, and services
  sufficient to accomplish and sustain that
  purpose.
• Indicates that an institution maintains clearly
• specified educational objectives that are
  consistent with its mission and appropriate to
  the degrees it offers.

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ACCREDITATION (cont.)

• Earned
• Renewable (reaffirmation)
• Enhances academic quality in a region by
  improving the effectiveness of institutions and
  ensuring that institutions meet standards
  established by the higher education community
• Requires an institutional commitment to student
  learning and achievement

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SUNOs MANDATE
University-wide SACS 2011
College Level NCATE 2008
AACSB 2011
CSWE 2012
Program Level AAFCS Child Development Family Studies
CAAHEP/ AHIMA Health Information Management
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SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS-
COMMISSION ON COLLEGES (SACS-COC)

• SUNO comes under, like other universities and
  community colleges in TX, LA, MS, KY, AL, TN, GA,
  VA, NC, SC and FL
• 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 (404)
  679-4512
• www.sacscoc.org
• Website provides critical information-
  guidelines, policies, updates, etc.

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OUTSTANDING PROCESSES- 2011 CLASS
Second Monday, June 2009 Orientation of Leadership Team by SACS
September 10, 2010 Compliance Certification Report Due
November 7-10, 2010 Off-site Peer Review
December 15, 2010 (six weeks prior to on-site review) Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and Focused Report (if necessary) Due
February 2011 On-Site Peer Review
After On-Site Visit Committee on Compliance and Reports Reviews Report and Recommends Action
December 2011 Commission on Colleges Announces Decision at SACS Annual Meeting
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TWO MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL REPORTS

• Compliance Certification
• Demonstrates the extent of compliance with of
  each of the
• CORE REQUIREMENTS,
• COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENTS, and
• FEDERAL REGULATIONS
• Reviewed by an Off-site Committee which advises
  the On-site Review Committee
• Dr. Alexei Matveevs topic

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TWO MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL REPORTS

• Quality Enhancement (Plan)
• At the heart of the Commissions Philosophy of
  accreditation
• The institution addresses one or more issues that
  contribute to institutional improvement
• The plan should be focused, succinct, and
• 100-page limit
• Dr. Virginia Caples topic

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CLOSING REMARKS

• Accreditation preparation - an opportunity to
  identify areas of weaknesses in our programs and
  services
• Periodic Review of Non-mandatory Academic
  Programs - vital preparatory process.