Accreditation at Shaw University (Revised)
Shaw University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the regional accrediting organization for eleven states in the southeastern United States, including North Carolina. Reaffirmation of accreditation is on a ten-year schedule, and the University was last reaccredited in 2002. The University is planning for a spring 2013 reaccreditation visit with submittal of our Certification of Compliance document in September of 2012. Our Quality Enhancement Plan is due in February of 2013.
Key Terms: (Source: http://sacscoc.org/genaccproc.asp)
Certification of Compliance: Approximately six months prior to the scheduled reaffirmation visit, an institution must submit a Compliance Certification document that demonstrates its judgment of the extent of its compliance with each of the Core Requirements, Comprehensive Standards, and Federal Regulations as presented in the Principles. The Compliance Certification document is reviewed by an off-site review committee which advises the on-site review committee by making observations about the information the institution provides and by determining the institution’s compliance with standards. (http://sacscoc.org/genaccproc.asp)
Quality Enhancement Plan: Each institution seeking reaffirmation of Accreditation is required to develop a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Engaging the wider academic community and addressing one or more issues that contribute to institutional improvement, the plan should be focused, succinct, and limited in length. The QEP describes a carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a well-defined topic or issue(s) related to enhancing student learning. (http://sacscoc.org/genaccproc.asp)
On-site visit: At the culmination of the QEP, the Commission on Colleges sends an on-site committee of professional peers to the campus to assess the educational strengths and weaknesses of the institution. The written report of the committee helps the institution improve its programs, refine its QEP, and also provides the basis on which the Commission decides to grant, continue, reaffirm, or withdraw accreditation. (http://sacscoc.org/genaccproc.asp)
Reaffirmation Timeline
Date
|
Event
|
Description
|
June 2012
|
Finalize Compliance Certification Document
|
Complete Final Compliance Certification Document
|
August 2012
|
Approval of QEP
|
QEP is approved by all Shaw University constituents (faculty, staff, alumni, Board, administrators, etc)
|
September 2012
|
Compliance Certification Due
|
University prepares and submits its Compliance Certification and appropriate supporting documentation
|
November 2012
|
SACS Off-site Review Committee reviews the Compliance Certification.
|
The SACS Off-site Review Committee reviews the Compliance Certification and supporting documentation attesting to Shaw University’s determination of its compliance with all Requirements and Standards.
|
January 2013
|
QEP Lead Evaluator is selected and submitted to SACS
|
Name of the Lead Evaluator selected by Shaw University for the QEP is submitted to SACS.
|
February 2013
|
Focus Report Due (if applicable)
|
Focus Report submitted to Visiting Team (if applicable), not later than 6-weeks before the On-site Review
|
February 2013
|
Submission of the QEP to SACS
|
Shaw University submits its QEP to SACS and to the On-Site Review Committee, not later than six (6) weeks prior to the start of the on-site visit in March/April 2012.
|
February 2013
|
Off-site Peer-review Committee findings reported to Shaw University
|
The SACS Commission Staff Member communicates to Shaw University, the findings of the report prepared by the off-site Committee. In response to the Off-site Committee findings, Shaw University submits a Focused Report in response to those items found not in compliance.
|
March 2013
|
Shaw University welcomes the SACS On-Site Peer- Review Team
|
The On-Site Review Team visits Shaw University to review and determine the acceptability of the QEP, to review any areas of non-compliance identified by the off-site review team, and examine other areas of concern that may surface during the visit.
|
May 2013
|
Shaw University receives the report/findings of the On-Site Visiting Team
|
The report/findings of the On-Site Review Team is finalized and submitted to Shaw University. Shaw University begins immediately to prepare a Follow-up Response Report (if applicable).
|
June 2013
|
Follow-Up Response Report Due (if applicable)
|
Shaw University prepares a Follow-up Response Report to the On-site Review Team’s report and submits it to the Commission on Colleges five (5) weeks following the site visit.
|
November 2013
|
Committee on Compliance and Reports Review
|
The Committee on Compliance and Reports reviews the findings included in the report of the On-site Committee and the Shaw University Follow Up Response report.
|
December 2013
|
Shaw University Reaffirmation decision announced at the 2012 SACS Annual Meeting
|
The Committee on Compliance and Reports (the C & R) at SACS makes a recommendation to the Commission regarding the reaffirmation of Shaw University. The Commission announces the reaffirmation decision at the annual meeting. Options that are available to the Commission, as it relates to the reaffirmation status of Shaw University are:
- Reaffirmation
- Reaffirmation with Warning
- Non-Reaffirmation with Warning or Probation
- Removal of Accreditation
|
Last updated 9/26/2011