ACCREDITATION UPDATE
Your Roadmap to Successfully Navigating SACSCOC Reaffirmation of Accreditation
|
|
As part of our university-wide process to prepare for reaffirmation of accreditation with SACSCOC, we will share our milestones and next steps through this newsletter. The current edition provides a snapshot of where we are in the reaffirmation process and highlights our institutional planning process.
Scroll to the bottom and click "Enter to Win" for your chance to win a special prize for completing a short survey!
|
|
READY
To engage. To assess. To shine. To achieve Reaffirmation of Accreditation.
|
|
SACSCOC Reaffirmation of Accreditation |
|
As One Phase Closes, Another Phase Opens
Well folks, here we are transitioning to another phase! In preparation for the transition, this spring Institutional Assessment and Accreditation (IAA) met with each team individually. Depending on the complexity of the narratives assigned, Phase 3 (Draft Submission & Internal Review) is a time when teams, despite all being engaged in the same processes, began confronting different challenges, and consequently, found themselves moving at different paces. In order to address the unique needs of each Compliance Certification Team, smaller, focused meetings helped to ensure each team had what they needed to move forward and progress through Phase 3.
Writers from all three batches now have submitted first drafts for their narratives. Batch 1 writers completed Phase 3 with the submission of their revised drafts, and Batch 2 writers are working on their revised drafts. By the end of summer, Batch 3 writers will receive their feedback and then submit their revised drafts this fall, marking the official closing of Phase 3. Whew! Of course, it is important to acknowledge that all of this writing, reviewing, and revising would not be possible without the mutual support from Compliance Certification Team members, especially during the Writers’ and Reviewers’ Retreats. With the final batch of draft narratives submitted, IAA will host the last round of Reviewers’ Retreats this month.
As we wind down Phase 3, Phase 4 has begun with the first batch of revised narratives shared with our external reviewer. Phase 4 is the LAST phase with an opportunity for Compliance Certification team members to refine their narratives before submission to SACSCOC. As our work is being reviewed with a fresh perspective, don’t get too comfortable. Reaffirmation of Accreditation is an ongoing institutional endeavor that takes all hands-on deck to be successful. Therefore, it is important we continue to refine our processes, so when 2025 rolls around, we are opening our door not to another phase in the reaffirmation process but opening the door to reaffirmation itself.
|
|
STATUS UPDATE: We are in transition from Phase 3 to Phase 4 |
|
Now that the last batch of initial narratives have been submitted for internal review, revised narratives are being shared with our external reviewer, marking the beginning of Phase 4.
|
|
Phase 3 Segments & Batches:
Draft Submission & Internal Review
|
|
Section 7: Institutional Planning |
|
7.1 The institution engages in ongoing, comprehensive, and integrated research-based planning and evaluation processes that
(a) focus on institutional quality and effectiveness and
(b) incorporate a systematic review of institutional goals and outcomes consistent with its mission.
|
|
Essential Components for Compliance:
Ongoing, Comprehensive, Integrated, Research-based, Planning, Evaluation, Institutional Quality, Institutional Effectiveness, Systematic Review, Institutional Goals, Institutional Outcomes, Mission
|
|
Excellence in Institutional Planning |
|
Standard 7.1 highlights the importance of institutional planning and evaluation processes that align with the university mission. Georgia Southern University exemplifies institutional planning by engaging in institution-wide initiatives that support our mission and five strategic pillars (i.e., Student Success, Teaching and Research, Inclusive Excellence, Operational Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Sustainability, and Community Engagement). Central to these initiatives are our strategic planning committee, senior leadership scorecards, and quarterly tasks. The FY22 Performance Excellence Progress Report demonstrates a systematic review of our institutional goals and outcomes in pursuit of institutional quality and effectiveness. Check out this latest progress report to better understand how you are contributing to Georgia Southern's success!
|
|
"Piecing it Together: The strategic plan is informed by many voices throughout the university, taking into account our shared values, our vision, our accomplishments, challenges and goals. Leaders in all divisions refer to the plan to develop and maintain scorecards of key performance indicators. Every quarter, divisional leadership reports on their 90-day tasks to ensure accountability and progress toward our goals. Each year, we welcome feedback from all employees using our Employee Engagement Survey to gauge how well we are doing in areas such as communication, culture, leadership and engagement, and to collect ideas on how we can improve. This data then informs additional actions and revisions to our plans and allows for us to pursue innovative problem-solving with agility and an eye toward the future of the university" (Annual Progress Report, 2022). |
|
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION NARRATIVE
REVIEWERS' RETREATS (Batch 3)
Statesboro Campus
Wednesday, July 26th
10 am - 12 pm & 2 pm - 4 pm
Armstrong Campus
Thursday, July 27th
10 am - 12 pm & 2 pm - 4 pm
ALL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION MEETING
Thursday, September 14th
Armstrong Campus
|
|
And our July newsletter winner is... |
|
Rebecca Fields
(Office of Financial Aid)
Email assessment@georgiasouthern.edu within 30 days to claim your prize.
|
|
SACSCOC Accreditation Resources |
|
As we work together to prepare for our Compliance Certification and on-site review, keep in mind the resources provided by SACSCOC:
In addition to providing all the standards and sub-standards for accreditation, this document provides an overview of the philosophy, purpose, and process of accreditation.
|
|
Institutional Assessment and Accreditation (IAA) works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administration to ensure the quality of the programs and educational experiences offered by the university, addressing the unique assessment needs of courses, departments, colleges, or units through individual and group consultations, professional development workshops, recommendations for technology implementation, and best practice reference materials. |
|
|
|
An opportunity to enhance the accreditation communication experience.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
