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Overview of Presentation

SACS Reaffirmation of Accreditation 7/28/09 Academic Affairs Retreat Cathy Sanders Director of Assessment. Overview of Presentation. Components of the Reaffirmation of Accreditation Process The Reaffirmation Process The QEP Committee Structure for QEP Timeline Q & A.

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Overview of Presentation

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  1. SACS Reaffirmation of Accreditation7/28/09 Academic Affairs RetreatCathy SandersDirector of Assessment

  2. Overview of Presentation • Components of the Reaffirmation of Accreditation Process • The Reaffirmation Process • The QEP • Committee Structure for QEP • Timeline • Q & A

  3. Components of Reaffirmation of Accreditation • Compliance Certification • Focused Report • Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

  4. Compliance Certification • Equivalent to the old SACS Self-Study • Consists of Core Requirements, Comprehensive Standards and Federal Requirements (78 total) • We determine our degree of compliance (compliance, partial compliance, non-compliance) with each of the requirements and standards. • We evidence compliance on each via a brief narrative and supporting documentation.

  5. Compliance Certification • The University must comply with all Core Requirements to have accreditation reaffirmed. • If university is judged to be significantly out of compliance on one or more of the Comprehensive Standards, its reaffirmation of accreditation may be denied. • Denial of reaffirmation of accreditation is accompanied by the imposition of a sanction (a warning or probation); accreditation is continued while University works to come into compliance.

  6. Focused Report • Addresses the findings of the Off-Site Committee regarding the institution’s compliance with the Core Requirements, Comprehensive Standards and Federal Standards. • It is an additional opportunity to evidence compliance through stronger documentation.

  7. Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) • Plan that focuses on an issue the institution considers important to improving student learning. • Requires widespread participation by all institutional constituent groups-faculty, administrators, students, alumni and trustees in selecting the focus. • Limited to 75 pages of narrative and 25 pages of appendices.

  8. Reaffirmation Process • UNC Charlotte submits Compliance Certification to SACS COC. • Two months later an Off-Site Committee of peer evaluators meets in Atlanta to review the report and determine UNC Charlotte’s compliance with each of the SACS requirements and standards. • Within two weeks of Off-Site Committee review, SACS COC will conduct a conference call with Joan & Phil to provide a summary of their findings (no written summary provided).

  9. Reaffirmation Process • If necessary, UNC Charlotte prepares a Focused Report providing stronger evidence on non-compliant requirements and standards. • On-Site Committee receives the Focused Report about four weeks prior to the site visit and discusses, via conference call whether Focused Report is satisfactory. If not, On-Site Committee arranges to meet with key people during site visit to discuss any remaining non-compliant requirements and standards. • At conclusion of site visit, On-Site Committee writes a Recommendation for any requirement or standard that UNC Charlotte has not demonstrated compliance with. • SACS COC renders decision on University’s Reaffirmation of Accreditation at their annual meeting in December.

  10. QEP Topics Examples of topics: • enhancing the academic climate for student learning, • strengthening the general studies curriculum, • developing creative approaches to experiential learning, • enhancing critical thinking skills, • introducing innovative teaching and learning strategies, • increasing student engagement in learning, • exploring imaginative ways to use technology in the curriculum.

  11. QEP & Strategic Planning • The QEP should complement the institution’s ongoing integrated institution-wide planning and evaluation processes. • It need not be a brand new idea: • It might extend, modify, redirect, or strengthen an improvement that is already underway. • It might be an initiative that was in the planning stages prior to the beginning of preparations for reaffirmation. • However, it may not describes initiatives that are already fully realized.

  12. Steps in Developing the QEP • Select the Topic • Define the Student Learning Outcomes • Research the Topic • Identify the Actions to be Implemented • Establish the Timeline for Implementation • Organize for Success • Identify Necessary Resources • Assess the Success of the QEP • Prepare the QEP for Submission to SACS

  13. Time Needed to Develop a QEP • Developing a QEP is a reflective planning and writing process that requires: • time to determine an appropriate focus that allows for extensive investigation, discussion and refinement. • time to develop drafts to be circulated, debated and revised in ways that continue to gather and build support for the QEP. • The focus and framework of the QEP will shift and evolve as a result of research, writing, discussion and widespread campus participation. • Two years or more is recommended.

  14. Leadership Team Leadership Team is charged with: • Overseeing preparation of the Compliance Certification • Identifying the focus of the QEP • Overseeing the development of the QEP

  15. The LeadershipTeam may wish to assign the day-to-day responsibility for development of the QEP to a Steering Committee comprised of a select group of individuals who: • have the greatest knowledge about and interest in the ideas, content, processes, and methodologies to be developed in the QEP • have expertise in planning and assessment • have responsibility for managing and allocating institutional resources

  16. QEP Steering Committee • Charged with task of developing and drafting the QEP document. • Often accomplishes its work through sub-committees that focus on developing particular aspects of the QEP such as: • Literature review • Professional Development • Assessment plan • Budget • Marketing plan

  17. Important Dates Related to SACS Reaffirmation Process June 2011 SACS Liaison Orients Leadership Team September 10, 2012 Compliance Certification Due November 5-8, 2012 Off-Site Review Conducted Six wks before Site Visit QEP & Focused Report Due (Dec. 2012-Feb. 2013) Feb., Mar., or April 2013 On-Site Visit December 2013 Reaffirmation Decision Made

  18. Something to Consider… • Many of the staff involved in developing the QEP will also be involved in developing the Compliance Certification and the Focused Report. • Waiting until the SACS Orientation in June 2011 to begin the process allows only 1.5 years to accomplish everything. Those who have gone before us recommend 2 years or more to develop a QEP.

  19. Recommendation • 2009-2010 Develop 2010-2015 Strategic/Academic Plan • 2010-2011 Draft Compliance Certification • 2011 – Site Visit • Update Compliance Certification • Prepare Focused Report • Develop QEP • Make preparations for SACS On-Site Review Committee Visit

  20. Questions

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