The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the regional body for the accreditation of
degree-granting higher institutions in the southeastern United States. The reaccreditation process develops over
several academic semesters and unfolds in phases. The criteria for review are
spelled out in the SACSCOC Principles of
Accreditation, including broad-based core requirements, regional
comprehensive standards, federal requirements, and requirements for a Quality
Enhancement Plan for student learning, or QEP.
The first step of reaffirmation entails the filing of the
Compliance Certificate, a complex document of narratives written to each of the
97 standards specified in the Principles
of Accreditation with thousands of pieces of supporting evidence. An
Off-Site Review Committee, composed of SACSCOC–appointed reviewers from peer
institutions, evaluates the Compliance Certificate and may request an
additional Focused Report to be written on standards where the College seems to
not be in compliance.
The original Compliance Certificate, supplemented by any
Focused Report, as well as an additional 100-page Quality Enhancement Plan
(QEP), is (re)evaluated by a second committee of SACSCOC-appointed reviewers
during the next phase, the On-Site Review. In addition to reviewing the
submitted documentation, the On-Site Review Committee will visit select
campuses and centers to confirm delivery of programs and services, and may
interview College employees and select students about key aspects of College
operations. While the On-Site Review committee submits their findings and
recommendations for reaffirmation in their report to SACSCOC, the commission’s
board of trustees makes the final decision regarding reaffirmation of
accreditation.
The following VWC reaccreditation documents are in print
copies at the library:
·
VWC’s Compliance Certificate (submission of
March 2015)
·
VWC’s Focused Report (submission August 2015)
·
VWC’s QEP (submission August 2015)
A copy of all the SACSCOC standards may be found on their website: http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/
In preparing for the On-Site Visit by the SACSCOC Review Committee (Sept. 29-Oct.1, 2015), consider the following:
What are the primary functions of your program or unit? And, what are its governing policies and procedures?
Day-to-day, we all know how our positions serve VWC. Yet, where is such information recorded? What are the published guidelines that direct procedures and processes? In addition to knowing the correct information, remind yourself and your colleagues where this information may be found either on the College website or in a manual. Reflect on what evidence you would use to document and support the accuracy of this information.
Do you have an understanding of what was submitted in the Compliance Certificate and Focused Report that relate(s) to your office or unit?
Each SACSCOC standard has a key word or phrase to help identify the area of the institution to which the standard applies. The SACSCOC Leadership Team (email jhowell@vwc.edu) can help direct you to the specific sections of the Compliance Certificate and/or Focused Report most relevant to your position. Offices, programs, or units addressed in the Focused Report, as well as those falling under any of the standards flagged for mandatory review by the Department of Education, are likely to be involved in On-Site Interviews (see SACSCOC Standards Likely to be Reviewed by VWC On-Site Committee).
Are you familiar with the Mission of the College, the mission of your program, office, or unit, and relevant Strategic Plan Priorities? Are you familiar with the new QEP (Sea Change-See Change), and how the plan relates to VWC’s education mission?
Mission: http://www.vwc.edu/about-us/
Strategic Plan: http://www.vwc.edu/
QEP: http://www.vwc.edu/academics/
I strongly encourage you to review the suggested documents that pertain to your area as we prepare for our reaccreditation visit. I look forward to greeting our reaccreditation team members when they visit our campus at the end of this month. We are well prepared thanks to the outstanding work of our entire campus on this important project, especially the efforts of Tim O’Rourke, Joyce Howell, David Dirlam and Amy Rush.
