Everything you always wanted to know about… SACS and the QEP

SACS SACS is... the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the regional accrediting agency responsible for ensuring the quality of education institutions. The Commission on Colleges division focuses solely on higher education. Every ten years, schools must have their accreditation re- affirmed. Loss of accreditation means that students cannot receive federal financial aid, with most of these schools closing down.

Not just have to do it… we want to! SACS President Belle Wheelan states that SACS is not a four-letter curse word; instead, it stands for "Students Are Central to Success." Basically, our work for accreditation is what we ought to be doing anyway... assessing our students/programs and striving to make improvements in student learning outcomes. It's good for us!

Quality Enhancement Plan Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) "is the component of the accreditation process that reflects and affirms the commitment of the Commission on Colleges to the enhancement of the quality of higher education and to the proposition that student learning is at the heart of the mission of all institutions of higher learning. By definition, the QEP describes a carefully designed course of action that addresses a well- defined and focused topic or issue related to enhancing student learning. The QEP should be embedded within the institution’s ongoing integrated institution-wide planning and evaluation process and may very well evolve from this existing process or from other processes related to the institution’s internal reaffirmation review." - SACS website

QEP Process Solicit Ideas Focus groups Town hall meetings Web based inquires and surveys Develop Themes (QEP Steering Committee) Narrow down themes (8 to 10) Use surveys to select the top 3 Submit short proposals suggesting possible strategies i.e. writing across the curriculum Select Area of Focus Solicit full proposal to select the final QEP topic Select Final QEP Topic Submit best 3 proposals to leadership team

QEP Process cont. Plan Theme Focus Statement Learning Outcome Action Key Performance Indicator

QEP Info The full document outlining the QEP process and responsibilities can be found at: Handbook.pdf Handbook.pdf

QEP Rap (full song forthcoming) QEP, for what and for who? To promote student learning here at Shaw U!

Calling All Faculty…! Yes, it will be a lot of hard work... but we have the chance to develop an exciting project and implement it to help promote student learning. Shaw's administration must demonstrate financial commitment to this endeavor. We need YOU!

Everybody, everybody! Since none of us is as smart as all of us, we must have everyone involved. In fact, SACS requires that we show broad-based involvement (including staff, students, alumni, etc.). However, the QEP must be faculty driven, so get ready to get on this plane! We will be engaging in focus groups and surveys, calling for proposals (incentives!), and seeking volunteers to help make the final decision.

Activity In groups of 4-5, please discuss one area of student learning that needs serious improvement (for example: critical thinking, global understanding, etc.)? Simply put, what do you want our students to know, be able to do, or value by the time they graduate? Now, are we doing it well enough at Shaw University? If not, this could be a potential QEP project!

Examples of QEP Topics “Creating Coherent Pathways to Develop Critical Thinking Skills In Students” – Norfolk State University “From These Roots… A Foundation for Life: Mathematics and Financial Literacy” – Hampton University “Discovery-Based Learning: Transforming the Undergraduate Experience through Research” – University of Houston “Writing in the Majors” – Guilford College

QEP Quiz Question 1 What does QEP stand for? A: Quiche = Eggs and Potatoes B: Quickly Exasperating People C: Quality Enhancement Project D: Quality Enhancement Plan

QEP Quiz Question 2 While we must demonstrate broad-based involvement in selecting the QEP topic, SACS expects the process to be primarily driven by: A: students B: administration C: faculty D: NASCAR

QEP Quiz Question 3 The purpose of the QEP is to develop a project that will: A: change the curriculum B: promote some aspect of student learning C: alter the entire teaching and learning process at Shaw University D: all of the above

QEP Quiz Question 4 What are the lyrics to the Shaw U QEP Rap? A: QEP, what the heck does it matter to me? B: Hail Dear Old Shaw U C: Yes, We Can… Make a Plan… QEP, all over this land! D: QEP, for what and for who… to promote student learning here at Shaw U!

Questions, comments, etc. Please feel free to ask or share. We cannot and ought not do it without YOU! We will be contacting you to proceed forward and enhance student learning. Thank you!

Contact Information Dr. Carol Bunch, Co-Director of QEP Dr. Derek Greenfield, Co-Director of QEP