David S. Adegboye, Ph.D. Professor of Biology Associate Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Accreditation Liaison Officer Presented at the “Workshop on SACS Accreditation Reaffirmation Preparation” on October 16, 2008 Southern University at New Orleans 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126

Accredit- to certify as meeting certain set of standards; to bring into credit or favor; to authorize. Accreditation signifies that an institution has a purpose appropriate 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.

ACCREDITATION (cont.) Earned Renewable (reaffirmation) 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

SUNO’s MANDATE University-wideSACS2011 College LevelNCATE2008 AACSB2011 CSWE2012 Program LevelAAFCSChild Development & Family Studies CAAHEP/ AHIMAHealth Information Management

SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS- COMMISSION ON COLLEGES (SACS-COC) SUNO comes under, like other universities and community colleges in TX, LA, MS, KY, AL, TN, GA, VA, NC, SC and FL 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA (404) Website provides critical information- guidelines, policies, updates, etc.

OUTSTANDING PROCESSES CLASS Second Monday, June 2009 Orientation of Leadership Team by SACS September 10, 2010Compliance Certification Report Due November 7-10, 2010Off-site Peer Review December 15, 2010 (six weeks prior to on-site review) Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and Focused Report (if necessary) Due February 2011On-Site Peer Review After On-Site VisitCommittee on Compliance and Reports Reviews Report and Recommends Action December 2011Commission on Colleges Announces Decision at SACS Annual Meeting

TWO MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL REPORTS Compliance Certification  Demonstrates the extent of compliance with of each of the:  CORE REQUIREMENTS,  COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENTS, and  FEDERAL REGULATIONS  Reviewed by an Off-site Committee which advises the On-site Review Committee  Dr. Alexei Matveev’s topic

TWO MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL REPORTS… Quality Enhancement (Plan)  At the heart of the Commission’s Philosophy of accreditation  The institution addresses one or more issues that contribute to institutional improvement  The plan should be focused, succinct, and 100-page limit  Dr. Virginia Caples’ topic

CLOSING REMARKS Accreditation preparation - an opportunity to identify areas of weaknesses in our programs and services Periodic Review of Non-mandatory Academic Programs - vital preparatory process.