SACSCOC 2023 Reaffirmation
Timeline
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Orientation of Leadership Teams | December 6-8, 2020 |
| Compliance Certification Due | September 8, 2022 |
|
Off-Site Peer Review Conducted |
November 2-5, 2022 |
| Quality Enhancement Plan Due | Six weeks in advance of On-site Review |
| On-Site Peer Review Conducted | January-April, 2023 |
| Review by the Committee on Compliance and Reports (C&R) and the SACSCOC Board of Trustees | December Annual Meeting of SACSCOC |
Standards
| Standard | Description | Core Requirement | Published Institutional Policy | SACSCOC Policy | Terms/Years of Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | The institution operates with integrity in all matters. (Integrity) | * | |||
| 2.1 |
The institution has a clearly defined, comprehensive, and published mission specific to the institution and appropriate for higher education. The mission addresses teaching and learning and, where applicable, research and public service. (Institutional mission) |
* | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 3.1.a | An institution seeking to gain or maintain accredited status has degree granting authority from the appropriate government agency or agencies. (Degree-granting authority) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 3.1.b | An institution seeking to gain or maintain accredited status offers all course work required for at least one degree program at each level at which it awards degrees. (Course work for degrees) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 3.1.c | An institution seeking to gain or maintain accredited status is in opertaionand has students enrolled in degree programs. (Continuous opertaion) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 4.1.a | The institution has a governing board of at least five members that is the legal body with specific authority over the institution. | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 4.1.b | The institution has a governing board of at least five members that exercises fiduciary oversight of the institution. | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 4.1.c | The institution has a governing board of at least five members that ensures that both the presiding officer of the board and a majority of other voting members of the board are free of any contractual, employment, personal, or familial financial interest in the institution. | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 4.1.d | The institution has a governing board of at least five members that is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or institutions separate from it. | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 4.1.e | The institution has a governing board of at least five members that is not presided over by the chief executive officer of the institution. (Governing board characteristics) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 4.2.a | The governing board ensures the regular review of the institution's mission. (Mission review) | Last 2 cycles | |||
| 4.2.b | The governing board ensures a clear and appropriate distinction between the policy-making function of the board and the responsibility of the administration and faculty to administer and implement policy. (Board/administrative distinction) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 4.2.c | The governing board selects and regularly evaluates the institution's chief executive officer. (CEO evaluation/selection) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 4.2.d | The governing board defines and addresses potential conflict of interest for its members. (Conflict of interest) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 4.2.e | The governing board has appropriate and fair processes for the dismissal of a board member. (Board dismissal) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 4.2.f | The governing board protects the institution from undue influence by external persons or bodies. (External influence) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 4.2.g | The governing board defines and regularly evaluates its responsibilities and expectations.(Board self- evaluation) | * | 7/20-6/22 | ||
| 4.3 | If an institution's governing board does not retain sole legal authority and operating control in a multiple-level governance system, then the institution clearly defines that authority and control for the following areas within its governance structure: (a.) institution's mission, (b.) fiscal stability of the institution, and (c.) institutional policy. (Multi-level governance) | * | * | 7/21-6/22 |
|
| 5.1 | The institution has a chief executive officer whose primary responsibility is to the institution. (Chief executive officer) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 5.2.a | The chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate control over the following: the institution's educational, administrative, and fiscal programs and services (CEO control) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 5.2.b | The chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate control over the following: the institution's intercollegiate athletics program (Control of intercollegiate athletics) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 5.2.c | The chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate control over the following: the institution's fund-raising activities. (Control of fund-raising activities) | 7/21-6/22 |
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| 5.3.a | For any entity organized separately from the institution and formed primarily for the purpose of supporting the institution or its programs: The legal authority and operating control of the institution is clearly defined with respect to that entity. | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 5.3.b | For any entity organized separately from the institution and formed primarily for the purpose of supporting the institution or its programs: The relationship of that entity to the institution and the extent of any liability arising from that relationship are clearly described in a formal, written manner. | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 5.3.c | For any entity organized separately from the institution and formed primarily for the purpose of supporting the institution or its programs: The institution demonstrates that (1) the chief executive officer controls any fund-raising activities of that entity or (2) the fund-raising activities of that entity are defined in a formal, written manner which assures that those activities further the mission of the institution. (Institution-related entities) | * | 7/21-6/22 |
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| 5.4 | The institution employs and regularly evaluates administrative and academic officers with appropriate experience and qualifications to lead the institution. (Qualified administrative/academic officers) | 7/20-6/22 | |||
| 5.5 | The institution publishes and implements policies regarding the appointment, employment, and regular evaluation of non-faculty personnel. (Personnel appointment and evaluation) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 6.1 | The institution employs an adequate number of full-time faculty members to support the mission and goals of the institution. (Full-time faculty) | * | Fall 19, Fall 20, and Fall 21 | ||
| 6.2.a | For each of its educational programs, the institution justifies and documents the qualifications of its faculty members. (Faculty qualifications) | Fall 21 and Spring 22 | |||
| 6.2.b | For each of its educational programs, the institution employs a sufficient number of full-time faculty members to ensure curriculum and program quality, integrity, and review. (Program faculty) | Fall 19, Fall 20, and Fall 21 | |||
| 6.2.c | For each of its educational programs, the institution assigns appropriate responsibility for program coordination. (Program coordination) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 6.3 | The institution publishes and implements policies regarding the appointment, employment, and regular evaluation of faculty members, regardless of contract or tenure status. (Faculty appointment and evaluation) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 6.4 | The institution publishes and implements appropriate policies and procedures for preserving and protecting academic freedom. (Academic freedom) | * | 7/20-6/22 | ||
| 6.5 | The institution provides ongoing professional development opportunities for faculty members as teachers, scholars, and practitioners, consistent with the institutional mission. (Faculty development) | 7/20-6/22 | |||
| 7.1 | The institution engages in ongoing, comprehensive, and integrated research-based planning and evaluation processes that (a.) focus on institutional quality and effectiveness and (b.) incorporate a systematic review of institutional goals and outcomes consistent with its mission. (Institutional Planning) | * | 7/20-6/22 | ||
| 7.2 | The institution has a Quality Enhancement Plan that (a.) has a topic identified through its ongoing, comprehensive planning and evaluation processes; (b.) has broad-based support of institutional constituencies; (c.) focuses on improving specific student learning outcomes and/or student success; (d.) commits resources to initiate, implement and complete the QEP; and (e.) includes a plan to assess achievement. (Quality Enhancement Plan) | ||||
| 7.3 | The institution identifies expected outcomes of its administrative support services and demonstrates the extent to which the outcomes are achieved. (Administrative effectiveness) | 7/20-6/22 | |||
| 8.1 | The institution identifies, evaluates, and publishes goals and outcomes for student achievement appropriate to the institution's mission, the nature of the students it serves, and the kinds of programs offered. The institution uses multiple measures to document student success. (Student achievement) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 8.2.a | The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of seeking improvement based on analysis of the results in the Student learning outcomes for each of its educational programs, (Student outcomes: educational programs) | 7/20-6/22 | |||
| 8.2.b | The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of seeking improvement based on analysis of the results in the Student learning outcomes for collegiate-level general education competencies of its undergraduate degree programs, (Student outcomes: general education) | 7/20-6/22 | |||
| 8.2.c | The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of seeking improvement based on analysis of the results in the Academic and student services that support student success. (Student outcomes: academic and student services) | 7/20-6/22 | |||
| 9.1 | Educational programs (a.) embody a coherent course of study, (b.) are compatible with the stated mission and goals of the institution, and (c.) are based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education. (Program content) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 9.2 | The institution offers one or more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the associate level; at least 120 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the baccalaureate level; or at least 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the post- baccalaureate, graduate, or professional level. The institution provides an explanation of equivalencies when using units other than semester credit hours. The institution provides an appropriate justification for all degree programs and combined degree programs that include fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit. (Program Length) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 9.3.a | The institution requires the successful completion of a general education component at the undergraduate level that Is based on a coherent rationale. | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 9.3.b | The institution requires the successful completion of a general education component at the undergraduate level that Is a substantial component of each undergraduate degree program. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 9.3.c | The institution requires the successful completion of a general education component at the undergraduate level that Ensures breadth of knowledge. These credit hours include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural science/mathematics. These courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques,and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. (General education requirements) | * | 7/21-6/22 | ||
| 9.4 | At least 25 percent of the credit hours required for an undergraduate degree are earned through instruction offered by the institution awarding the degree. (Institutional credits for an undergraduate degree) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 9.5 | At least one-third of the credit hours required for a graduate or a post-baccalaureate professional degree are earned through instruction offered by the institution awarding the degree. (Institutional credits for a graduate-professional degree) | ||||
| 9.6 | Post-baccalaureate professional degree programs and graduate degree programs are progressively more advanced in academic content than undergraduate programs, and are structured (a.) to include knowledge of the literature of the discipline and (b.) to ensure engagement in research and/or appropriate professional practice and training. (Post- baccalaureate rigor and curriculum) | ||||
| 9.7 | The institution publishes requirements for its undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate professional programs, as applicable. The requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs. (Program requirements) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 10.1 | The institution publishes, implements, and disseminates academic policies that adhere to principles of good educational practice and that accurately represent the programs and services of the institution. (Academic policies) | * | * * * * * | 7/21-6/22 | |
| 10.2 | The institution makes available to students and the public current academic calendars, grading policies, cost of attendance, and refund policies. (Public information) | * | * | 7/21-6/22 | |
| 10.3 | The institution ensures the availability of archived official catalogs, digital or print, with relevant information for course and degree requirements sufficient to serve former and returning students. (Archived information) | * | 7/20-6/22 | ||
| 10.4 | The institution (a.) publishes and implements policies on the authority of faculty in academic and governance matters, (b.) demonstrates that educational programs for which academic credit is awarded are approved consistent with institutional policy, and (c.) places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of the curriculum with its faculty. (Academic governance) | * | * | 7/20-6/22 | |
| 10.5 | The institution publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission. Recruitment materials and presentations accurately represent the practices, policies, and accreditation status of the institution. The institution also ensures that independent contractors or agents used for recruiting purposes and for admission activities are governed by the same principles and policies as institutional employees. (Admissions policies and practices) | * | * | 7/21-6/22 | |
| 10.6.a | An institution that offers distance or correspondence education ensures that the student who registers in a distance or correspondence education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives the credit. | * | * | 7/20-6/22 | |
| 10.6.b | An institution that offers distance or correspondence education has a written procedure for protecting the privacy of students enrolled in distance and correspondence education courses or programs. | * | * | 7/20-6/22 | |
| 10.6.c | An institution that offers distance or correspondence education ensures that students are notified in writing at the time of registration or enrollment of any projected additional student charges associated with verification of student identity. (Distance and correspondence education) | * | * | 7/20-6/22 | |
| 10.7 | The institution publishes and implements policies for determining the amount and level of credit awarded for its courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery. These policies require oversight by persons academically qualified to make the necessary judgments. In educational programs not based on credit hours (e.g., direct assessment programs), the institution has a sound means for determining credit equivalencies. (Policies for awarding credit) | * | * | 7/21-6/22 | |
| 10.8 | The institution publishes policies for evaluating, awarding and accepting credit not originating from the institution. The institution ensures (a.) the academic quality of any credit or coursework recorded on its transcript, (b.) an approval process with oversight by persons academically qualified to make the necessary judgments, and (c.) the credit awarded is comparable to a designated credit experience and is consistent with the institution's mission. (Evaluating and awarding academic credit) | * | * * | 7/21-6/22 | |
| 10.9 | The institution ensures the quality and integrity of the work recorded when an institution transcripts courses or credits as its own when offered through a cooperative academic arrangement. The institution maintains formal agreements between the parties involved, and the institution regularly evaluates such agreements. (Cooperative academic arrangements) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 11.1 | The institution provides adequate and appropriate library and learning/information resources, services, and support for its mission. (Library and learning/information resources) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 11.2 | The institution ensures an adequate number of professional and other staff with appropriate education or experiences in library and/or other learning/information resources to accomplish the mission of the institution. (Library and learning/information staff) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 11.3 | The institution provides (a.) student and faculty access and user privileges to its library services and (b.) access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning/information resources. (Library and learning/information access) | 7/20-6/22 | |||
| 12.1 | The institution provides appropriate academic and student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission. (Student support services) | * | 7/20-6/22 | ||
| 12.2 | The institution ensures an adequate number of academic and student support services staff with appropriate education or experience in student support service areas to accomplish the mission of the institution. (Student support services staff) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 12.3 | The institution publishes clear and appropriate statement(s) of student rights and responsibilities and disseminates the statement(s( to the campus community. (Student rights) | * | * | 7/21-6/22 | |
| 12.4 | The institution (a.) publishes appropriate and clear procedures for addressing written student complaints, (b.) demonstrates that it follows the procedures when resolving them, and (c.) maintains a record of student complaints that can be accessed upon request by SACSCOC. (Student complaints) | * | * | 7/20-6/22 | |
| 12.5 | The institution protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of its student records and maintains security measures to protect and back up data. (Student records) | 7/20-6/22 | |||
| 12.6 | The institution provides information and guidance to help student borrowers understand how to manage their debt and repay their loans. (Student debt) | 7/20-6/22 | |||
| 13.1 | The institution has sound financial resources and a demonstrated, stable financial base to support the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and services. (Financial resources) | * | 7/19-6/22 | ||
| 13.2.a | The member institution provides the following financial statements: An institutional audit (or Standard Review Report issued in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services issued by the AICPA for those institutions audited as part of a system wide or statewide audit) for the most recent fiscal year prepared by an independent certified public accountant and/or an appropriate governmental auditing agency employing the appropriate audit (or Standard Review Report) guide; | * | 7/19-6/22 | ||
| 13.2.b | The member institution provides the following financial statements: A statement of financial position of unrestricted net assets, exclusive of plant assets and plant-related debt, which represents the change in unrestricted net assets attributable to operations for the most recent year; and | * | 7/19-6/22 | ||
| 13.2.c | The member institution provides the following financial statements: An annual budget that is preceded by sound planning, is subject to sound fiscal procedures, and is approved by the governing board. For applicant and candidate institutions, including an applicant seeking separate accreditation from a current SACSCOC-accredited institution, the institution provides the financial information, including audit requirements, specified in the SACSCOC's policy entitled "Accreditation Procedures for Applicant Institutions." (Financial documents) | * | 7/19-6/22 | ||
| 13.3 | The institution manages its financial resources in a responsible manner. (Financial responsibility) | 7/19-6/22 | |||
| 13.4 | The institution exercises appropriate control over all its financial resources. (Control of finances) | 7/19-6/22 | |||
| 13.5 | The institution maintains financial control over externally funded or sponsored research and programs. (Control of sponsored research/external funds) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 13.6 | The institution (a.) is in compliance with its program responsibilities under Title IV of the most recent Higher Education Act as amended and (b.) audits financial aid programs as required by federal and state regulations. In reviewing the institution's compliance with these program responsibilities under Title IV, SACSCOC relies on documentation forwarded to it by the U. S. Department of Education. (Federal and state responsibilities) | 7/19-6/22 | |||
| 13.7 | The institution ensures adequate physical facilities and resources, both on and off campus, that appropriately serve the needs of the institution's educational programs, support services, and other mission-related activities. (Physical resources) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 13.8 | The institution takes reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community. (Institutional environment) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 14.1 | The institution (a.) accurately represents its accreditation status and publishes the name, address, and telephone number of SACSCOC in accordance with SACSCOC's requirements and federal policy and (b.) ensures all its branch campuses include the name of that institution and make it clear that their accreditation is dependent on the continued accreditation of the parent campus. (Publication of accreditation status) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 14.2 | The institution has a policy and procedure to ensure that all substantive changes are reported in accordance with SACSCOC's policy. (Substantive change) | * | * | 7/20-6/22 | |
| 14.3 | The institution applies all appropriate standards and policies to its distance learning programs, branch campuses, and off-campus instructional sites.(Comprehensive institutional reviews) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 14.4 | The institution (a.) represents itself accurately to all U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agencies with which it holds accreditation and (b.) informs those agencies of any change of accreditation status, including the imposition of public sanctions. (See SACSCOC's policy "Accrediting Decisions of Other Agencies".) (Representation to other agencies) | 7/21-6/22 | |||
| 14.5 | The institution complies with SACSCOC's policy statements that pertain to new or additional institutional obligations that may arise that are not part of the standards in the current Principles of Accreditation. (Policy compliance) (Note: For applicable policies, institutions should refer to SACSCOC website http:/www.sacscoc.org) | ||||
| 14.5.a | Reaffirmation of Accreditation and Subsequent Reports | ||||
| 14.5.b | Separate Accreditation for Units of a Member Institution |