1. Overview of SACS-COC Reaffirmation Process Prepared for Reaffirmation Steering Committee April 10, 2006

2. Steps in the Reaffirmation Process COC staff conducts an orientation for Virginia Tech Leadership Team. (June, 2007) Virginia Tech prepares and submits its Compliance Certification with relevant supporting documentation (and annual institutional profiles) to COC. (August, 2008) An Off-Site Review Committee reviews the Compliance Certification and documentation (not Core Requirement 12, Quality Enhancement Plan) and prepares a report of its findings. (November, 2008)

3. Steps in the Reaffirmation Process COC staff orally communicates to Virginia Tech a summary of the Off-site Review Committee report. (November, 2008) Virginia Tech may choose to submit a Focused Report in response to the Committee’s findings. (January, 2009) Virginia Tech submits its Quality Enhancement Plan. (January, 2009)

4. Steps in the Reaffirmation Process An On-site Committee receives a written copy of the QEP, the Off-Site Committee report, and the Focused Report. (February, 2009) On-Site Committee reviews QEP and areas of non-compliance or concern noted by the Off-Site Committee and submits report to COC. (April, 2009) Virginia Tech prepares and submits response to On-Site report. (May-August, 2009) COC reviews reports and takes action on Virginia Tech’s reaffirmation. (December, 2009)

5. Institutional Leadership Roles Leadership Team: validates internal institutional assessment of compliance. Chief Executive Officer: Certifies integrity and accuracy of review process, provides adequate resources, reviews reports and informs the Board of Visitors on matters related to the review process. Accreditation Liaison: Ensures that accreditation requirements are met, coordinates with COC, provides for training of faculty, staff, and students.

6. Institutional Leadership Roles Reaffirmation Steering Committee: manages internal assessment of compliance, monitors related work of individuals and committees, and prepares reports to Leadership Team. Compliance Review Team: Coordinates preparation of Compliance Certification and prepares reports for review by Steering Committee. Quality Enhancement Plan Team: Coordinates process to select theme of QEP and recommends to Steering Committee.

7. Compliance Certification Document completed by Virginia Tech that demonstrates its compliance with standards listed in the Principles of Accreditation. Submitted both electronically via a website and by hard copy. Virginia Tech gathers relevant documentation on each standard, makes a judgment on level of compliance, and writes a narrative explaining how documentation supports a determination of compliance. (see handout)

8. Quality Enhancement Plan Demonstrates Virginia Tech’s commitment to quality improvement and student learning. Provides an opportunity for VT to focus on an issue(s) considered important to improving student learning. Describes a carefully designed and focused course of action. Should complement institution-wide planning and evaluation processes.

9. Quality Enhancement Plan Institutional commitment to QEP demonstrated through: consensus among constituency groups, broad-based participation in identification of topic or issue, allocation of adequate resources, a clear timeline and assignment of responsibilities and a structure for assessing outcomes. Evaluated by the On-site Review Committee. Five-year Impact Report required.