Reaffirmation of Accreditation Overview

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Reaffirmation of Accreditation Overview

• Western Carolina University
• Carol Burton, Director, SACS Review

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SACS Overview
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Review Process - Compliance

• Core Requirements basic qualifications, e.g.,
  institutional mission and effectiveness,
  educational programs, faculty.
• Comprehensive Standards written, approved,
  published, accessible, implemented and enforced
  e.g., governance, degree programs, faculty
  credentials, library resources, student affairs,
  physical and financial resources.

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Review Process Compliance, contd

• Federal Requirements e.g., 1998 Higher
  Education Amendments, student recruitment,
  academic policies and calendars, curriculum
  alignment with degrees, and student complaints.

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Quality Enhancement Plan

• Complement strategic planning/mission
• Enhance student learning
• Focused and futuristic
• Reflect current best practices
• Capitalize on strengths and address weaknesses
• Engage university community
• 75 (25) pages

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Organization for Review

• Leadership Team
• Compliance Committee (subcommittees on faculty
  credentials, core requirements, comprehensive
  standards)
• QEP Committee

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SACS Review Timeline

• Spring 2007 (On-site Review)
• Fall 2006 (QEP Due)
• Summer 2006 (Compliance Certification Due)
• See Handout

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Quality Enhancement Plan - Topics

• Engagement (students, faculty, staff, community,
  region)
• Technology (curriculum, distance education)
• Assessment
• Student services
• Diversity (faculty, students, programs, mission)
• Experiential learning collaboration
• Life long learning

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http//www.wcu.edu/sacs

• Carol Burton, Director, SACS Review
• 560 H. F. Robinson Administration Building
• 227-7497/3019
• burton_at_email.wcu.edu