It Takes a College: Reaffirmation of Accreditation Now Underway

During the past year, administrators, faculty, and staff have been working behind the scenes on ACC’s decennial reaffirmation of accreditation. Now the effort is gathering momentum, and the entire ACC community has an important role in the process.

“To a large extent, reaffirmation is about telling the ACC story,” says ACC President/CEO Richard Rhodes, Ph.D. “We have an exciting story to tell, and we want the entire ACC community to be involved in telling that story.”

Every 10 years, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reviews its member institutions to ensure they are providing students with a quality education and maintaining the necessary standards for accreditation. More than simply a stamp of approval, accreditation gives students access to federal financial aid, makes it easier for them to transfer credits to other institutions, and affirms the quality of the college’s faculty and support services.

A key component of reaffirmation is the onsite review. Representatives from SACSCOC member institutions will visit each ACC campus and several centers to see firsthand the school’s mission, policies, procedures, programs, resources, and services. ACC’s onsite review will be Oct. 29 through Oct. 31.

“The SACSCOC onsite team will want to talk with students, faculty, staff, and trustees to learn what ACC is about,” says ACC Interim Provost Enrique Solis, Ph.D. “Reviewers often ask questions like, ‘Do you know why we are here,’ and, ‘What is the college’s QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan)?'”

ACC completed the first phase the reaffirmation/review process in March when it submitted its Compliance Certification, a comprehensive self-assessment of its compliance with SACSCOC requirements. The college currently is preparing focused reports elaborating on select portions of the Compliance Certification based on feedback from offsite reviewers.

Meanwhile, faculty and staff are fine-tuning ACC’s Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, another key component of the reaffirmation review process. SACSCOC requires the QEP to be a five-year action plan that focuses on a well-defined topic or issue that will enhance learning.

ACC’s QEP, “Math PLUS,” targets Developmental Mathematics, the leading cause of student failure and withdrawal at the post-secondary level. Anchored by a new course, “Basic Math with Collaborative Learning,” Math PLUS features hands-on learning opportunities and math-specific study skills instruction.

Between now and October, students, faculty, and staff will have opportunities to learn more about the SACSCOC review process and Math PLUS through presentations and special events, including a “QEP Day” with activities and giveaways.

When the SACSCOC onsite review team visits in October, members not only will meet with administrators, they will visit with students, faculty, and staff at each stop. Their findings, including their assessment of Math PLUS, in part will determine whether SACSCOC reaffirms ACC’s accreditation. Their report also will help ACC improve its programs and refine its QEP.

Dr. Rhodes notes that integrating reaffirmation into the college’s culture instead of viewing it as an occasional formality will translate to better processes and, ultimately, student success.

“Reaffirmation is critical to assuring our communities that we are the right choice to meet our students’ educational goals,” says Dr. Rhodes. “When it is viewed as more than just a periodic event, however, it becomes a way to identify and take full advantage of opportunities for continuous improvement.”

SACSCOC’s final report on ACC’s reaccreditation is scheduled for June 2013.

To learn more about the reaffirmation process, visit ACC’s SACSCOC Accreditation website.

Reaffirmation of Accreditation: Next Steps
March 2012 Compliance Certification
September 2012 Focused report, QEP report submitted
October 29 – October 31, 2012 SACSCOC onsite review
June 2013 Final accreditation ruling

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