ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL ******************************************************************************

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1 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: 6.O DATE: January 19, 2012 ****************************************************************************** SUBJECT: Request to Seek Accreditation - NSU Northern State University requests approval to seek accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for the following programs (Attachment I). This request will move forward to the COPS and BOR meetings in March. Programs seeking accreditation: Accounting, School of Business BS Banking and Financial Services, School of Business, BS, AS Business Administration, School of Business, BS, AS Economics, School of Business, BS Finance, School of Business, BS Management, School of Business, BS Management Information Systems, School of Business, BS, AS Marketing, School of Business, BS Professional Accountancy, School of Business, BS International Business Studies, School of Business and School of Arts and Sciences, BA ****************************************************************************** RECOMMENDED ACTION Move forward to the March COPS and BOR meetings for consideration.

2 2 November 28, 2011 Dr. Sam Gingerich System Vice President for Academic Affairs South Dakota Board of Regents 306 E. Capitol Avenue Pierre, SD Dear Dr. Gingerich: Please find attached Northern State University s Request to Seek Accreditation Under BOR Policy form for ACBSP (Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs). Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you. Sincerely, Thomas Hawley, Ph.D. Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

3 SOUTH DAKOTA BOARD OF REGENTS ATTACHMENT I 3 Request to Seek Accreditation Under BOR Policy 1. Institution: Northern State University 2. Program (s) seeking accreditation: a. Accounting, School of Business BS b. Banking and Financial Services, School of Business, BS, AS c. Business Administration, School of Business, BS,AS d. Economics, School of Business, BS e. Finance, School of Business, BS f. Management, School of Business, BS g. Management Information Systems, School of Business, BS, AS h. Marketing, School of Business, BS i. Professional Accountancy, School of Business, BS j. International Business Studies, School of Business and School of Arts and Sciences, BA 3. Level of program(s) involved in accreditation: Certificate Master s Degree X Associate Degree Doctoral Degree X Bachelor s Degree 4. Accrediting Agency: Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) NOTE: Use additional pages if needed to address the following questions. 5. What are the advantages of accreditation? The first strategic priority of the Northern State University Strategic Plan is to recruit, retain, challenge, and graduate citizens with the highest capacity to enrich their communities through their professional lives and civic engagement. The Northern State University School of Business plans to address this priority by enhancing the quality of its academic programs through participation in the accreditation process of the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). ACBSP is the premier accrediting association for business schools and programs with a focus on teaching excellence. In contrast to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) which has a focus on research excellence, ACBSP is focused on what occurs in the classroom while encouraging scholarly research. This is apparent in the standards and criteria for accreditation, the membership structure which includes membership by all persons involved in delivery of business education, ACBSP conference sessions, and special initiatives.

4 4 In contrast to the International Association for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), ACBSP is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The CHEA-recognized scope of accreditation is: Degree programs in business and businessrelated fields at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. This permits institutions to be recognized for the accreditation of their business programs in resources such as the Higher Education Directory, the CHEA Web site, and in a host of other publications. ACBSP offers an array of member benefits not available to IACBE members and has a significantly larger membership base and staff size. ACBSP offers a lower dues rate for institutions that are joining and during their time of candidacy for accreditation. 1 Faculty and administrators at ACBSP accredited colleges identified the following benefits of accreditation to a variety of different groups: Benefits for the Institution The pursuit of accreditation reinforces a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and scholarship. The process of preparing an accreditation self-study enhances the focus on quality of student learning and renews a commitment to the educational mission. The recognition of effective business units through accreditation contributes to a more positive review by regional accreditors, as specialized accreditation is a confirmation of quality programming in specific divisions. Accredited status creates greater visibility for the institution. Accreditation provides prestige and credibility when seeking funding resources from donors, foundations, governments. In some states accredited status counts heavily in performance-based funding. Accreditation leads to more successful articulation of business credits. The accredited institution can utilize press releases to advertise accreditation status. Accredited status is printed in the college catalog. Accredited status is printed on business cards. Accredited status is posted on the college website. Accreditation provides a sense of pride within the institution. Benefits for the Business Unit Accreditation creates a process for continuous departmental improvement. Accreditation provides the impetus for identifying strengths and weaknesses. Accreditation keeps the programs current through curriculum development. Accreditation provides a forum for review and analysis of the business unit. Accreditation promotes an outcomes assessment process linking goals, activities, and outcomes. Accreditation creates guidelines for faculty credentials, which leads to higher standards in hiring, increased scholarly and professional activities, and more focused faculty development decisions. Accreditation creates guidelines when structuring programs. Accreditation provides a platform to share ideas and to question the status-quo, leading to effective change. Accreditation is a source of pride among program faculty and staff. 1 This material taken from ACBSP website:

5 5 Accreditation validates quality of work in the business unit. The business unit realizes greater local prestige through accreditation. Accreditation provides leverage when seeking on-campus resources. Accredited status leads to more effective acquisition of technology. Accreditation status is referenced when submitting budgets, grant proposals, and course/program proposals. Accredited status assists in recruitment of faculty. Accreditation activities are communicated to the Board of Trustees. Accredited status is printed on Business Division stationery. Accredited status is printed on course syllabi. The certificate of accreditation is prominently displayed. Accredited status is printed on brochures and newsletters. Benefits for Faculty and Staff Accreditation provides a sense of pride within the business faculty and staff when national peers have validated a program. Faculty at accredited institutions are provided opportunities to keep current in quality procedures through seminars such as Baldrige training. Faculty experience a boost of self-esteem when teaching in an accredited business unit. Accreditation provides professional development and leadership opportunities for faculty and administrators in development of outcome assessments and conducting site visits to other institutions. Benefits for Students Accreditation creates the impetus for relevancy and currency of faculty, programs, and courses to best serve students. The pursuit of accreditation enhances the ability to serve students by assuring a focus on quality performance. Accredited status requires an ongoing effort to provide excellent equipment, software, and learning resources for students. Accredited status reaffirms the commitment to effective student services. Students refer to accreditation status on resumes and in employment interviews. Accredited status provides the ability to host a chapter of Delta Mu Delta or Kappa Beta Delta honorary society, recognizing accomplishments of business students. Students who join these honorary societies can cite their special recognition when pursuing scholarships and writing resumes. Benefits for the Community Accredited status provides recognition of the ability to serve community stakeholders. Accreditation creates the impetus for relevancy and currency of faculty, programs, and courses to best serve employers. External advisory committees learn the importance of accreditation. External advisory committee members can transfer the accreditation process to their continuous improvement efforts What are the anticipated costs involved in accreditation, including: 2 This material taken from the ACBSP website:

6 6 A) Costs involved in undergoing self-study and preparing the application for accreditation. Application fee $2,500 Annual Conference (2 ppl; $3,000/year X 3 years) $9,000 TOTAL $11,500 B) Out-of-pocket costs related to dues or site visits. Annual Membership Dues ($1,350/year X 3 years) $4,050 Maintenance fee ($500/yr for two years) 1,000 Mentor Visits & Consultations 1,400 Site Visit Travel (three evaluators) 900 Site Visit Honorarium (three days) 1,650 Site Visit Food and Lodging 950 TOTAL $9,950 C) Base budget implications including incremental costs and minimum base resources required (dollars and FTE). $12,450 for ACBSP costs (see attachment) plus $9,000 to cover the cost of sending faculty to two conferences per year for three years, plus ¼ release time per semester for three years for one faculty member to serve as the ACBSP Champion or coordinator = $21,450, plus.25 FTE 7. What is the source of the resources needed? Internal reallocation of funds within the School of Business 8. What is the estimated date for submission of accreditation application? September Institutional Authorization (President)

7 7 Costs Associated with the Accreditation Process for Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Schools and Programs The table below illustrates a sample timetable and costs of the accreditation process through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for concurrent initial accreditation of the business programs and the accounting accreditation. Fiscal year Process Description of Cost Amount First Year Membership Fee Annual membership fee $1,350 Completion of Educational Membership Form. The cost for annual membership is $1350. First Year Application for Candidacy. Candidacy application fee $1,250 Completion of the application for candidacy starts the process for accreditation. The accreditation fee is $2,500 ($2,000 for schools outside the United States). The institution can pay half the accreditation fee now and the other half when they start the self-study or they can pay the whole fee. First Year A mentor will be assigned. The candidate school or program will complete a preliminary questionnaire and send the response to their mentor. The candidate will develop and action plan, with assistance from their mentor, for meeting the accreditation standards and criteria and establish a Mentor honorarium ($400 per day) Mentor expenses (Transportation, etc.) $400 $300 timetable for carrying out the plan. A copy of the plan should be provided to the Director of Accreditation at the ACBSP office. Total for First Year $3,300 Second Year Membership Fee Annual membership fee $1,350 The cost for annual membership is $1350. Second Year Self-Study Commences The institution must receive a recommendation to proceed to selfstudy from the mentor and the Director of Accreditation. The self-study should cover a full academic year (Fall & Spring). Second Year Payment of Remaining Half of the Accreditation Fee Payment for remainder of $1,250 Second Year Second Year Third Year Third Year A mentor will be assigned. Continue to work with the mentor to close the gaps in meeting the standards and criteria. Annual progress report Schools and programs in candidacy are required to submit an annual report to the mentor and to the Director of Accreditation. The annual report will address progress in meeting the accreditation standards, and set forth a timetable. The School or Program will determine with the mentor whether said mentor should make a campus visit subsequent to receiving the annual report. Membership Fee The cost for annual membership is $1350. Annual progress report Schools and programs in candidacy are required to submit an annual report to the mentor and to the Director of Accreditation. The annual report will address progress in meeting the accreditation standards, and set forth a timetable. The School or Program will determine with the mentor whether said mentor should make a campus visit subsequent to receiving the annual report. accreditation application fee Mentor honorarium ($400 per day) Mentor expenses (Transportation, etc.) $500 for each year of candidacy after the first year. $400 $ Total for Second Year $3,800 Annual membership fee $1,350 $500 for each year of candidacy after the first year. 500

8 Site Visit Deposit A $3, site deposit is required prior to the visit. (Average cost for site visits was $3,296) Visit An evaluation team is assigned to an institution as soon as ACBSP headquarters receives the completed self-study. The site team files its report with ACBSP within two weeks after their visit. The cost for the team visit will be deducted from the $3,500 deposit. Any money left over will be returned to the school. The Board of Commissioners reviews accreditation materials from institutions each November and April (twice a year). The accreditation decision by the Board of Commissioners is reported to the members. Accredited business schools and programs receive their accreditation certificates during the ACBSP Annual Conference in June at a special ceremony. ATTACHMENT I 8 Honoraria $250 per day for chair $150 per team member ($550 per day x three days) $1,650 Travel for Three Evaluators 900 Food and Lodging 950 Total for Third Year $5,350 Grand Total $12,450