Long-Range Planning Presentation to the Del Mar College Board Committee May 13, 2008

Process of Accreditation The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. Re-accreditation occurs every 10 years through a self-study process.

Process of Accreditation Internal Review allows an institution to consider: –Effectiveness in achieving its mission –Compliance with accreditation requirements –Efforts in enhancing the quality of student learning and the quality of programs and services –Success in accomplishing its mission

Process of Accreditation Requirements listed in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancements –Core Requirements –Comprehensive Standards –Federal Requirements

Process of Accreditation Two separate documents required for the reaffirmation process: –Compliance Certification –Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

Process of Accreditation Compliance Certification –Submitted approximately 15 months in advance of reaffirmation –Demonstrates the College’s judgment on the extent of its compliance with each Core Requirement, Comprehensive Standard, & Federal Requirement

Process of Accreditation Quality Enhancement Plan –Submitted 4-6 weeks in advance of the on-site review by the Commission –Developed through a broad-based institutional process –Focuses on student learning outcomes –Identifies goals and a plan to assess their achievement

Process of Accreditation Off-site Peer Review –Meets in Atlanta –Reviews the Compliance Certification –Determines if institution is in compliance with all core requirements, comprehensive standards and Federal requirements –Prepares a report for the institution which is forwarded to the On-site Review Committee

Process of Accreditation On-site Peer Review –Conducts a focused evaluation on campus on items found by the off-site Peer Review to be not in compliance –Evaluates the acceptability of the QEP –Prepares final report which is forwarded to the Commission for action on reaffirmation

Del Mar College Timeline January 2009 – SACS Orientation March 2010 – DMC Compliance Certification due to SACS May 2010 – Off-site Peer Review Summer 2010 – QEP due to SACS Fall 2010 – On-site Peer Review Summer 2011 – Decision made by SACS on Reaffirmation