Accreditation and Reaffirmation of Accreditation: An Overview

1. Accreditation and Reaffirmation of Accreditation: An Overview David S. Adegboye, Ph.D. Professor of Biology Associate Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs & SACS Liaison Officer Presented at the Faculty Conference Fall Semester 2006

2. INTRODUCTION Accreditation signifies that an institution has a purposeappropriate 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.

3. Participation is voluntary – but highly desirable - and is an earned and renewable status • 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 • Our accrediting agency is the Commission on Colleges (COC), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), based in Atlanta, GA

4. The Commission’s first task is to determine the institution’s INTEGRITY and COMMITMENT TO QUALITY ENHANCEMENT. • The specifics of the Process of Accreditation will be discussed at a university-wide workshop planned for later in the semester.

5. CHALLENGES Four (4) major challenges are recognized at SUNO as far as Accreditation or Reaffirmation of Accreditation issues are concerned

6. CHALLENGES 1. Accreditation College of Business – The Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – International By Year 2010 – 2011.

7. 2. Reaffirmation of Accreditation • University-wide – Southern Association of Schools & Colleges (SACS) By 2009 – 2010. • College of Education – National Council for the Accreditation of Teachers Education (NCATE) By 2008 - 2009 • School of Social Work – Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) By 2011 – 2012.

8. 3. Changes in Academic Programs • New Programs BS Health Information Management System (CAS) BA Public Administration (CB) BS Human Development & Family Studies (CE) or (CAS)

9. Conversion Programs BS Computer Information System to BS Management Information System (CB) MS Computer Information System to MS Management information System (CB) BS Business Administration to BS Business Entrepreneurship (CB) M.A. Urban Education to M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction with concentrations in Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education (CE).

10. On-line Degree Programs BS General Studies BS Criminal Justice BS Early Childhood Education MA Museum Studies

11. 4.Documentation “If you didn’t document it, it didn’t happen” • Central to any preparation for accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation • Vital documents were destroyed in the Office of Academic Affairs following Katrina hurricane -faculty profiles – transcripts, resumes, records of service -college offices -departmental offices -individual offices • Challenges of re-assembly and storage

12. STRATEGIESSpring & Summer 2006 Courtesy Visits • Dr. Mike Ralph and Dr. Roberta Kramer of SUBR -general overview -major documents provided • Mr. Gerard Killebrew, LA BoR -program changes • Dr. Wheelan, Jackson, & Collins, SACS Office, Atlanta, GA -substantive change policy -program phase-out policy

13. Response to SACS and SUS Requests • Progress Reports • Principles of Accreditation Update • Program Evaluator Update • Bills • Conference Calls

14. ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1. Established a 15-member “Leadership Team” 2. Revised Periodic Review Schedule Format 2006 – 07 2007 – 08 3. Modified the Format for Periodic Review Reports 4. Obtained the approval of NCATE Visit Extension to 2008-09

15. 5. Obtained the approval of all program changes -- SUNO Curriculum Committee 6. Obtained approval of the SUS Board of Supervisors for the on-line programs & Program Proposals 7. Developed Substantive Change Prospectus for: BS General Studies BS Criminal Justice MA Museum Studies BA Early Childhood Education Approved by SACS

16. 8. Developed Program Proposals for two (2) new programs and three (3) conversion programs BS Management Information Systems MS Management Information Systems BS Business Entrepreneurship BA Public Administration Approved by LA Board of Regents Revised Final Draft of the BS Health Information Management Program submitted to LA Board of Regents

17. 9. Submitted SACS Progress Report to SUS as requested – includes Task Timeline Schedule for the SUNO, NCATE, & CSWE reaffirmation & the AACSB accreditation 10. Responded to all correspondence from SACS Office 11. Deans appointed for the College of Education and School of Social Work 12. Financial Profile and Indicator submitted to SACS Office – July 2006 13. Annual General Meeting in Orlando, FL -- Registration process completed

18. Tasks for Fall 2006 • Revision of Program Proposal for the M.Ed degree in Curriculum and Instruction • Decision on which college should house the BS Human Development & Family Studies Program • SACS Annual General Meeting – Dec. 2006 • Appointment of Sub Committees within the SACS Steering Committee • Re-assembly of vital documents – transcripts, resume, syllabus, library materials & equipment • Back-up Storage Systems for documents • University-wide workshop on “Preparing for Reaffirmation of Accreditation”

19. CONCLUSION • SUNO tasks are compounded by the program changes requested by the BoR. Program proposals had to be written with mandatory inputs by external consultants. Nevertheless, all requirements for accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation are recognized, and task timelines have been drawn up. • We have the competence, determination and the hard work to follow the timelines. • I will continue to value the support of the administration, faculty, staff, and students. • If you have comments or questions – please stop by my office, Bldg. 22-B

20. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • Leadership Team Members • Coordinators of Accreditation for Colleges • Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs • Chancellor