The University has completed the first phase of the reaffirmation process. We sent in our Compliance Report in September 2008 for the off-site review. We have now received the preliminary report of the off-site reaffirmation committee. It was a good report in general. They had no questions concerning the fifteen core requirements and found what we submitted in compliance. Our financials were also in compliance. With regards to the seven federal requirements we had only one request for an update in policy. There were some questions regarding comprehensive standards. We are required to provide more information on some of our academic programs and policies, faculty credentials and program coordination. The majority of the findings have to do with providing more evidence, but a couple of them require action to be taken, particularly in the area of credentials and program coordination.
We are now moving into the second phase. This phase involves preparing a response, in the form of what SACS calls a focused report, to the questions. This will mean providing more information or justification and where necessary, taking corrective action. This has to be completed no later than early February and be received by SACS by mid February 2009. The report will be submitted to SACS the same time as the Quality Enhancement Plan. Work on the QEP is ongoing.
The third phase is the on-site visit. The Commission will send a team of reviewers to the University from March 31st to April 2nd of 2009. During the visit, the team will review further documentation on campus; interview people selected by them, and focus on the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). It is important that we be knowledgeable about institutional facts and our QEP, “Academics with Attitude: Building the Foundations for Student Success”. At the conclusion of the visit, the team will inform the University leadership of any areas that require further work or clarification. The University has one final chance to respond before the Commission takes its final decision in December, 2009.