ECSUECSU’s Countdown to ’s Countdown to Southern Association of Colleges and Southern Association of Colleges and

Schools (SACS) Schools (SACS) Reaffirmation of AccreditationReaffirmation of Accreditation

Presented by:

Center for Institutional Assessment

Schedule and Reverse Timeline of EventsSchedule and Reverse Timeline of Events

nn December 2011December 2011 Review and decision byReview and decision byCommission on CollegesCommission on Colleges

nn April 2011April 2011 ONON--Site ReviewSite Review

nn January 2011January 2011 ECSU’s ECSU’s QualityQualityEnhancement Plan (QEP)Enhancement Plan (QEP)

nn November 2009November 2009 OFFOFF--Site ReviewSite Review

nn August 15, 2009August 15, 2009 ECSU’s ComplianceECSU’s ComplianceCertification dueCertification due

nn June 2008June 2008 SACS Orientation of ECSU’sSACS Orientation of ECSU’sLeadership TeamLeadership Team

nn December 1, 2006 December 1, 2006 (begin)(begin) Organization and PreparationOrganization and Preparation

nn September 2006September 2006 AwarenessAwareness

Review by the Commission on Colleges Review by the Commission on Colleges (December 2011)(December 2011)

nn The Commission's Compliance and The Commission's Compliance and Reports (C&R) Committee will receive and Reports (C&R) Committee will receive and review the report of the Onreview the report of the On--Site Review Site Review Committee, the response of ECSU to the Committee, the response of ECSU to the committee’s report, ECSU’s Compliance committee’s report, ECSU’s Compliance Certification, and Quality Enhancement Certification, and Quality Enhancement Plan. Plan.

nn The full Commission will receive the C&R The full Commission will receive the C&R Committee report and will make a decision Committee report and will make a decision regarding the reaffirmation of ECSU’s regarding the reaffirmation of ECSU’s accreditation and any followaccreditation and any follow--up activities up activities that it may require of the institution. that it may require of the institution.

SACS OnSACS On--Site Review Site Review (April 2011)(April 2011)The role of the OnThe role of the On--Site Review Committee is to:Site Review Committee is to:

nn Evaluate ECSU's Quality Enhancement Plan to determine Evaluate ECSU's Quality Enhancement Plan to determine the institution’s compliance with Core Requirement 2.12. the institution’s compliance with Core Requirement 2.12.

nn Determine ECSU's compliance with all other Core Determine ECSU's compliance with all other Core Requirements and Comprehensive Standards with which Requirements and Comprehensive Standards with which the Offthe Off--site Committee judged the institution not to be in site Committee judged the institution not to be in compliance and with those it did not review.compliance and with those it did not review.

nn Follow up on any request by the OffFollow up on any request by the Off--Site Committee to Site Committee to the Onthe On--Site Committee to investigate further identified Site Committee to investigate further identified issues. Present the committee’s findings and issues. Present the committee’s findings and recommendations to the leadership of ECSU at the recommendations to the leadership of ECSU at the conclusion of the onconclusion of the on--site review.site review.

nn Present a report to the Commission on Colleges that Present a report to the Commission on Colleges that includes the committee’s recommendations and its includes the committee’s recommendations and its suggestions regarding followsuggestions regarding follow--up activities required of up activities required of ECSUECSU..

Materials to be Sent to the OnMaterials to be Sent to the On--Site Review Site Review Committee Members and the CommissionCommittee Members and the Commission

Six weeks prior to the OnSix weeks prior to the On--Site visit (March 1, 2011)Site visit (March 1, 2011), ECSU will, ECSU willsend to each member of the Onsend to each member of the On--Site Review Committee and toSite Review Committee and tothe Commission staff member hard copies of the followingthe Commission staff member hard copies of the followingmaterials:materials:

nn Quality Enhancement Plan;Quality Enhancement Plan;nn Signed Compliance Certification (copy);Signed Compliance Certification (copy);nn Focused Report, if one has been prepared by Focused Report, if one has been prepared by

ECSU;ECSU;nn Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs;Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs;nn Updated “Institutional Summary Form”; and/orUpdated “Institutional Summary Form”; and/ornn Additional materials that may be requested by the Additional materials that may be requested by the

Commission on Colleges staff or the chair of the Commission on Colleges staff or the chair of the OnOn--Site Committee.Site Committee.

The above materials should also be made availableThe above materials should also be made availableelectronically, along with other documentation, toelectronically, along with other documentation, tothe Onthe On--Site Review Committee and the CommissionSite Review Committee and the Commission..

Quality Enhancement Plan(QEP) Quality Enhancement Plan(QEP) (due not later than January 2011)(due not later than January 2011)

nn Core Requirement 2.12 states: Core Requirement 2.12 states: "The institution "The institution has developed an acceptable Quality has developed an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan and demonstrates that the Enhancement Plan and demonstrates that the plan is part of an ongoing planning and plan is part of an ongoing planning and evaluation processevaluation process"" ((Principles of AccreditationPrinciples of Accreditation).).

nn In response to SACS Core Requirement 2.12, In response to SACS Core Requirement 2.12, ECSU will develop an acceptable Quality ECSU will develop an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan. Enhancement Plan.

nn ECSU's QEP will describe a carefully designed and ECSU's QEP will describe a carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a wellfocused course of action that addresses a well--defined topic or issue(s) directly related to defined topic or issue(s) directly related to enhancing student learning.enhancing student learning.

nn ECSU's Leadership Team is charged with providing ECSU's Leadership Team is charged with providing oversight for both the Compliance Review and the oversight for both the Compliance Review and the development of the Quality Enhancement Plan.development of the Quality Enhancement Plan.

Role of OffRole of Off--Site Review CommitteeSite Review Committee(second week in November 2009)(second week in November 2009)

nn Reviews ECSU’s Compliance Certification.Reviews ECSU’s Compliance Certification.

nn Determines if ECSU is in compliance with all Core Determines if ECSU is in compliance with all Core Requirements, except for Requirement #12,which Requirements, except for Requirement #12,which deals with the Quality Enhancement Plan; with all deals with the Quality Enhancement Plan; with all Comprehensive Standards; and federal Comprehensive Standards; and federal regulations.regulations.

Assessment is conducted in 2 phases:Assessment is conducted in 2 phases:

1.1. Each individual SACS committee member Each individual SACS committee member completes a preliminary review of ECSU prior to completes a preliminary review of ECSU prior to the full Offthe full Off--Site Committee meeting.Site Committee meeting.

2.2. The full Committee meets in Atlanta to reach The full Committee meets in Atlanta to reach consensus about its findings concerning ECSU consensus about its findings concerning ECSU and develops a report of its findings.and develops a report of its findings.

Materials to be Sent to the OffMaterials to be Sent to the Off--Site Review Site Review Committee Members and the CommissionCommittee Members and the CommissionSix weeks prior to the OffSix weeks prior to the Off--Site visit (September 2009)Site visit (September 2009), ECSU will, ECSU willsend to each member of the Offsend to each member of the Off--Site Review Committee and toSite Review Committee and tothe Commission staff member hard copies of the followingthe Commission staff member hard copies of the followingmaterials:materials:

§§ Signed Compliance Certification;Signed Compliance Certification;§§ Summary Information Form;Summary Information Form;§§ Organizational Chart;Organizational Chart;§§ College catalogs; andCollege catalogs; and§§ Financial Audit and Management Letter for the most Financial Audit and Management Letter for the most

recently completed fiscal year and financial aid recently completed fiscal year and financial aid audit.audit.

The above materials should also be made availableThe above materials should also be made availableelectronically, along with other documentation, toelectronically, along with other documentation, tothe Offthe Off--Site Review Committee and the CommissionSite Review Committee and the Commission..

ECSU’s Compliance CertificationECSU’s Compliance Certification(due August 15, 2009)(due August 15, 2009)

nn ECSU’s institutional document will correspond with ECSU’s institutional document will correspond with the Core Requirements, demonstrate compliance the Core Requirements, demonstrate compliance with the Core Requirements, Comprehensive with the Core Requirements, Comprehensive Standards, and federal regulations outlined in the Standards, and federal regulations outlined in the document document Principles of AccreditationPrinciples of Accreditation..

nn ECSU’s document will be based on the institution’s ECSU’s document will be based on the institution’s internal assessment and analysis of its compliance internal assessment and analysis of its compliance with the standards and requirements outlined in the with the standards and requirements outlined in the Principles of AccreditationPrinciples of Accreditation..

nn The overall responsibility of ECSU’s Compliance The overall responsibility of ECSU’s Compliance Certification is the responsibility of the ECSU Certification is the responsibility of the ECSU Leadership Team.Leadership Team.

SACS Orientation SACS Orientation of ECSU’s Leadership Teamof ECSU’s Leadership Team

(second Monday in June 2008)(second Monday in June 2008)

Should consist of the. . . Should consist of the. . .

ØØ Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer,

ØØ Chief Academic Officer Chief Academic Officer

ØØ Accreditation Liaison Officer, Accreditation Liaison Officer,

ØØ representative faculty members, representative faculty members,

ØØ and others who have the knowledge and authority and others who have the knowledge and authority to participate in this institutionto participate in this institution--wide effort.wide effort.

Responsibilities of ECSU’s Leadership Team*Responsibilities of ECSU’s Leadership Team*

**Handbook for Reaffirmation of AccreditationHandbook for Reaffirmation of Accreditation, page, page 88

nn Oversees the development of ECSU’s Compliance Oversees the development of ECSU’s Compliance Certification;Certification;

nn Manages the internal review process;Manages the internal review process;

nn Oversees the development, writing, review, and Oversees the development, writing, review, and submission of the Quality Enhancement Plan submission of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP);(QEP);

nn Makes certain that members of ECSU at large are Makes certain that members of ECSU at large are properly informed on the progress of the review;properly informed on the progress of the review;

nn Oversees the visitation arrangements for the OnOversees the visitation arrangements for the On--Site visiting team.Site visiting team.

ECSU’s Leadership Team is also responsible for forming other Committees. Possible committees could include:

Ø Steering Committee

Ø Core Requirements Committee

Ø Comprehensive Standards Committee

Ø Institutional Effectiveness Committee

Ø Educational Programs Committee

Ø Library and Other Learning Resources Committee

Ø Student Affairs and Services Committee

Ø Financial and Physical Resources Committee

Ø Federal Mandates Committee

What is the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)?What is the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)?

The Quality Enhancement Plan is a document that isThe Quality Enhancement Plan is a document that isdesigned to…designed to…

nn Reflect the commitment of ECSU to the Commission Reflect the commitment of ECSU to the Commission on Colleges’ expectation that ECSU has ongoing on Colleges’ expectation that ECSU has ongoing quality of higher education.quality of higher education.

nn Reflect the proposition that student learning is at the Reflect the proposition that student learning is at the heart of the mission at ECSU.heart of the mission at ECSU.

nn Create a carefully designed and focused course of Create a carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a wellaction that addresses a well--defined topic or issue defined topic or issue related to enhancing student learning at ECSU.related to enhancing student learning at ECSU.

nn Compliment ECSU’s ongoing integrated institutionCompliment ECSU’s ongoing integrated institution--wide planning and evaluation process.wide planning and evaluation process.

What is the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)?What is the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)? (continued)(continued)

The Quality Enhancement Plan should be centered around aparticular theme. Examples of some themes from otheruniversities are:

q Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas Do the Right Thing: A Campus Conversation on Ethics

q Texas A&M UniversityVision 2020

q Florida State University, Tallahassee, FloridaLEAD: Leaders Educated to Make a Difference

q Roanoke Bible College, Elizabeth City, North CarolinaLearning Enhanced by Non-Classroom Service: A Program of Service and Learning in the Field

q Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Shreveport, LouisianaEnhancing Student Learning Through Improved Advising

q Western Kentucky UniversityEngaging Students for Success in a Global Society

q University of Central FloridaWhat if? A Foundation for Information Fluency

q Mercer UniversityThe Engaged University: Learning Together

What is the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)? What is the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)? (continued)(continued)

Additional items need to be considered in completing ECSU’sAdditional items need to be considered in completing ECSU’sQEP. On the following identified pages of the QEP. On the following identified pages of the Handbook forHandbook forReaffirmation of AccreditationReaffirmation of Accreditation, those items are:, those items are:

Page 25Page 25:: Resources needed for the QEPResources needed for the QEP

Pages 25Pages 25--2626:: Elements of the QEPElements of the QEP

Page 26Page 26:: Time Needed for developing the Time Needed for developing the QEPQEP

Page 27Page 27:: The Institution’s evaluation of its The Institution’s evaluation of its QEPQEP

Pages 27Pages 27--2828:: The OnThe On--Site Review Committee’s Site Review Committee’s Evaluation of the QEPEvaluation of the QEP

Key Issues Addressed at the Key Issues Addressed at the December 2006 Annual MeetingDecember 2006 Annual Meeting

Core Requirement 2.5Core Requirement 2.5::

nn The institution engages in ongoing, The institution engages in ongoing, integrated, and institutionintegrated, and institution--wide wide researchresearch--based planning and evaluation based planning and evaluation processes that incorporate a systematic processes that incorporate a systematic review of programs and services that (a) review of programs and services that (a) results in continuing improvement and results in continuing improvement and (b) demonstrates that the institution is (b) demonstrates that the institution is effectively accomplishing its mission effectively accomplishing its mission ((Principles of AccreditationPrinciples of Accreditation))..

Key Issues Addressed at the Key Issues Addressed at the December 2006 Annual Meeting December 2006 Annual Meeting

(Continued)(Continued)

Planning and evaluation must be:Planning and evaluation must be:

nn 1. Ongoing (not just once each accreditation 1. Ongoing (not just once each accreditation period);period);

nn 2. Integrated (academic, support services, facilities, 2. Integrated (academic, support services, facilities, finances);finances);

nn 3. Institution3. Institution--wide;wide;nn 4. Incorporates systematic review of programs; and4. Incorporates systematic review of programs; andnn 5. Incorporates systematic review of services;5. Incorporates systematic review of services;nn and that it:and that it:nn 1. Results in [demonstrable] continuous 1. Results in [demonstrable] continuous

improvement; andimprovement; andnn 2. Demonstrates the institution is effectively 2. Demonstrates the institution is effectively

accomplishing its mission.accomplishing its mission.

SUMMARY OF COUNTDOWN TO ONSUMMARY OF COUNTDOWN TO ON--SITE REVIEWSITE REVIEW

MONTHS MONTHS MONTHSMONTHSDATEDATE EVENTEVENT TO EVENTTO EVENT LEFTLEFT

SEPTEMBER 2006 AwarenessSEPTEMBER 2006 Awareness 00 5555

DECEMBER 1, 2006 Organization and PreparationDECEMBER 1, 2006 Organization and Preparation 3 523 52

JUNE 2008JUNE 2008 SACS Orientation of ECSU Leadership 21 SACS Orientation of ECSU Leadership 21 3434

AUGUST 2009 ECSU Compliance Certification due AUGUST 2009 ECSU Compliance Certification due 35 2035 20

SEPTEMBER 2009 Materials sent to OffSEPTEMBER 2009 Materials sent to Off--Site Review Team 36 19Site Review Team 36 19

JANUARY 2011 Quality Enhancement Plan due JANUARY 2011 Quality Enhancement Plan due 52 352 3

MARCH 2011 Materials sent to OnMARCH 2011 Materials sent to On--Site Review Team 54 1Site Review Team 54 1

APRIL 2011 OnAPRIL 2011 On--Site Review Team dueSite Review Team due 55 055 0

Q & AQ & A

Prepared by:

Planning, Assessment, and Research