Preparing for SACS Reaffirmation The SACS Principles of Accreditation and impact on Georgia Tech

SACS: Who Are They? SACS is us! Evaluators are colleagues from other institutions in the South Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Quasi-federal regional accreditation agency, certified by Dept. of Education Certifies institutional eligibility under Title IV for student aid ($52 million/yr. at GT) Re-accreditation cycle: every 10 years

SACS Reaffirmation Process: Timeline August 13, 2004: GT submits report of compliance with SACS requirements November 10, 2004: Off-site review February 1, 2005: GT submits Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) March 15, 2005: On-site review

Compliance Subgroup Working together since January 2003 Created sub-reports for each core requirement and comprehensive standard in SACS Principles of Accreditation Preliminary compliance report will be presented September 23 rd, 2003 Public commentary and further enhancement of documentation needed by GT community Goal: minimize our risk of being found in non-compliance

Potential Areas of Risk for GT All units: identifying expected outcomes, assessing achievement of outcomes, and providing evidence of improvement based on an analysis of results. Information security: student records; financial information. Academic: 18-hour rule for graduate assistants; published graduate admissions standards

Next Steps Compliance Subgroup will continue to refine reports as information is received Recommendations for any changes to academic policy and procedures will be brought to the EB Any changes the EB deems necessary will require vote of Faculty Senate this academic year; SACS report is due 8/04.

Further Information GT SACS Website: Accreditation process: SACS Principles of Accreditation: 0accreditation1.pdf 0accreditation1.pdf