FOR ACCREDITATION, START HERE. The Role and Responsibilities of Accreditation Liaisons CS-23. Annual Meeting December 2014.

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1 The Role and Responsibilities of Accreditation Liaisons CS-23 Annual Meeting December 2014 Presented by: Dr. Charles A. Taylor, Vice President Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 2 FOR ACCREDITATION, START HERE 3 1

2 Things the Accreditation 4 Things the Accreditation Understand the Reaffirmation Process The Compliance Certification Process Explore the SACSCOC Website involving updates/policies Review the Resource Manual prepared by SACSCOC 5 Things the Accreditation REAFFIRMATION YEAR DEADLINE DATES!! YOUR INSTITUTION 6 2

3 Things the Accreditation COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION DUE DATE!! FOCUS REPORT DUE DATE!! VISIT DATE INSTITUTION RESPONSE DATE (after visit) SACSCOC BOARD MEETING DATES 7 Things the Accreditation NEED TO KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE!! 8 Things the Accreditation 9 3

4 Things the Accreditation YOUR INSTITUTION S LEVEL: LEVEL REFERS TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE OFFERED BY AN INSTITUTION. Level I Associate Degree, Level II Baccalaureate Degree, Level III Master's Degree, Level IV Master's Degree and Education Specialist Degree, Level V 3 or fewer Doctoral Degrees Level VI 4 or more Doctoral Degrees 10 Getting Started Attend Planned SACSCOC Sessions (e.g. Leadership Orientation, Annual Meeting, Summer Institute) Review Peer Institutional Experiences in Your State Explore Observer Opportunities on Visiting Committees 11 Understanding The Reaffirmation Process Leadership Orientation Staff Advisory Visit (optional) Compliance Certification (Off-Site Review) Focused Report (On-Site Review) Institution Response 12 SACSCOC Board 4

5 Bridge the Gaps 13 Making A Case for Institutional Compliance * PAY ATTENTION TO THE WORDING OF THE INTRODUCTION TO SECTIONS 2, 3 and 4 OF THE PRINCIPLES 14 Making A Case for Institutional Compliance Cont d * The Requirement of a Policy. Implicit in every Requirement/Standard mandating a policy or procedure is the expectation that the policy or procedure is in writing and has been approved through appropriate institutional processes, published in appropriate institutional documents accessible to those affected by the policy or procedure, and implemented and enforced by the institution. At the time of review, an institution will be expected to demonstrate that it has met all of the above elements. (Hint - pages 104 and 105 of the Resource Manual Column 6) 15 5

6 Remember Distance Learning * ADDRESS ALL TYPES OF PROGRAMS; DISTANCE LEARNING, OFF-CAMPUS SITES, EVENING PROGRAMS, DEGREE-COMPLETION PROGRAMS, ETC. IN ADDITION TO YOUR TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS. BECOME FAMILIAR WITH COMMISSION POLICY STATEMENTS (OTHER COMMISSION POLICIES) ** 16 Responsibilities * Samples Evidence Documentation 17 Responsibilities * Provide Supporting Evidence * Reliability * Objectivity * Current/Recent * Coherent/Logical * Verifiable * Representativeness 18 6

7 Responsibilities * Comprehensive Standard The institution notifies the Commission of changes in accordance with the substantive change policy and, when required, seeks approval prior to the initiation of changes. (Substantive change) 19 Responsibilities * Reporting Substantive Changes Initiating a branch campus. Initiating certificate or degree programs at a more advance degree level. Initiating an off-campus site where students can earn at 50% or more of credits toward a degree. Responsibilities * Reporting Substantive Changes Initiating any change in legal status, governance, form of control, or ownership of the institution. Expanding the institution s programs at the current degree level through the addition of significantly different program. Initiating programs at a lower degree level. Initiating a consolidation or merger. 21 7

8 STAY FOCUSED, FOCUSED, FOCUSED 22 Typical Timeline Considerations Institutional leadership Orientation (During Annual Meeting) Two Years Prior to Reaffirmation Date Staff Advisory Visit (virtual or on-campus visit optional) before Compliance Certification is Due OR after Off-Site Review) Compliance Certification Submission (September March) 23 Typical Timeline Considerations Cont d Off-Site Review and follow-up QEP Lead Evaluator Nominations Submitted (3 months OR SOONER before On-Site Visit) Focused Report and QEP Mailed 6-8 weeks before On-Site Visit Follow-up Response to On-Site Visit SACSCOC Reaffirmation Decision Announced (June/December) 24 8

9 Elements of Staff Advisory Visit (4-6 months prior to submission of Compliance Certification document or after Off-Site review) Discussions on Off-Site and On-Site Reviews & Timelines Format and visual Presentation of Compliance Certification Things to remember during the entire review process. Discussions and Workshop Exercise with the Leadership & QEP Team. 25 On-Site Information Outline Form (Filled out by Institution & SACSCOC Staff) 1. Includes names and contact numbers for campus leadership and visiting team 2. Logistics: nearby airport(s) and distance from Hotel/Campus 3. Accommodations (name/amenities and Distance from campus to be visited) 4. Important schedules/meeting times and arrangements for visiting team 26 CARE OF : Reaffirmation On-Site Committee Airport Pickup & Return Hotel & Welcome Travel Arrangements First Impressions Hotel Work Room Institution Work Room Interviews Interview Rooms Lunch & Diner Arrangements Hospitality 27 9

10 Reaffirmation On-Site Committee Basic Schedule Day One: Day Two: - Committee Orientation & Visits to Off- Campus Sites - Meet with Institution Leadership Team - Meet with QEP Leadership Team - Interviews - Major Emphasis on QEP Review and Interviews - Executive Meetings at Campus and/or Hotel (Finalize report) Day Three: - Exit Conference (Morning) Depart Campus 28 Manage the Process and the People 29 Questions??? 10

11 HAVE A GREAT DAY! The Role and Responsibilities of Accreditation Liaisons CS-20 Annual Meeting December 2014 Presented by: Dr. Charles A. Taylor, Vice President Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 11