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 Components of the Reaffirmation of Accreditation Process The Reaffirmation Process The Reaffirmation Process The QEP The QEP Committee Structure for QEP Committee Structure for QEP Timeline Timeline Q & A Q & A

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

Compliance Certification Equivalent to the old SACS Self-Study Equivalent to the old SACS Self-Study Consists of Core Requirements, Comprehensive Standards and Federal Requirements (78 total) 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 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. We evidence compliance on each via a brief narrative and supporting documentation.

Compliance Certification The University must comply with all Core Requirements to have accreditation reaffirmed. 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. 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. 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.

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

Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Plan that focuses on an issue the institution considers important to improving student learning. 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. 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. Limited to 75 pages of narrative and 25 pages of appendices.

Reaffirmation Process UNC Charlotte submits Compliance Certification to SACS COC. 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. 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). 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).

Reaffirmation Process Reaffirmation Process If necessary, UNC Charlotte prepares a Focused Report providing stronger evidence on non-compliant requirements and standards.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.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.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.SACS COC renders decision on University’s Reaffirmation of Accreditation at their annual meeting in December.

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

QEP & Strategic Planning The QEP should complement the institution’s ongoing integrated institution-wide planning and evaluation processes. The QEP should complement the institution’s ongoing integrated institution-wide planning and evaluation processes. It need not be a brand new idea: 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.

Steps in Developing the QEP Select the TopicSelect the Topic Define the Student Learning OutcomesDefine the Student Learning Outcomes Research the TopicResearch the Topic Identify the Actions to be ImplementedIdentify the Actions to be Implemented Establish the Timeline for ImplementationEstablish the Timeline for Implementation Organize for SuccessOrganize for Success Identify Necessary ResourcesIdentify Necessary Resources Assess the Success of the QEPAssess the Success of the QEP Prepare the QEP for Submission to SACSPrepare the QEP for Submission to SACS

Time Needed to Develop a QEP Developing a QEP is a reflective planning and writing process that requires: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 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.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.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. Two years or more is recommended.

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

The Leadership Team 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: The Leadership Team 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

QEP Steering Committee Charged with task of developing and drafting the QEP document. 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: 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

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 Feb. 2013) (Dec Feb. 2013) Feb., Mar., or April 2013 On-Site Visit December 2013Reaffirmation Decision Made

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. 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. 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.

Recommendation Develop Strategic/Academic Plan Develop Strategic/Academic Plan Draft Compliance Certification Draft Compliance Certification 2011 – Site Visit2011 – Site Visit  Update Compliance Certification  Prepare Focused Report  Develop QEP  Make preparations for SACS On-Site Review Committee Visit

Questions