Douglas A. Wymer

Why are 7.3 and 8.2.c separated?

So let’s talk service review. At least that is what I call it. I have a problem with the difference, or mostly the lack thereof, between 7.3 and 8.2.c. 7.3 The institution identifies expected outcomes of its administrative support services and demonstrates the extent to which the outcomes are achieved. (Administrative effectiveness) 8.2 The institutionContinue reading “Why are 7.3 and 8.2.c separated?”

Does online instruction help or hurt your IE metrics?

Inside Higher Ed posted an interesting article about online instruction the other day. You can find it here. Even before the pandemic, students were voting with their class registrations, pushing institutions to increase online offerings, which brought about a decrease in face-to-face instruction. It is not difficult to meet the minimum requirements of your accreditor,Continue reading “Does online instruction help or hurt your IE metrics?”

Mixed Signals on 8.2.a?

Standard 8.2.a (Student Outcomes: educational programs) is one of the most common areas of non-compliance in the SACSCOC region. That makes sense since it is a complex standard that impacts nearly every corner of the academic division of an institution. It does not help when you get mixed signals about what is required to makeContinue reading “Mixed Signals on 8.2.a?”

SACSCOC Annual Meeting

In a little less than a month, we will gather in Atlanta for the SACSCOC annual meeting. My first meeting was probably 2005 and that started me on this journey of becoming an accreditation nerd. I’m OK with that label. Reflecting on my approach to the annual meetings tells an interesting story. Early on IContinue reading “SACSCOC Annual Meeting”

Is your strategic plan on a shelf?

Your strategic plan should be a living and breathing document, not collecting dust on a shelf.

Adventures with 3.1.a-c; to write or not to write?

SACSCOC guidance on 3.1.b is ambiguous.

Organizing Your Documents-A Tale of Two Systems

It does not matter how your supporting documents are organized, just make sure they are.

Do you have style?

When we are starting work with a new client on a large project, such as a 5th year report or a reaffirmation, we always ask about a style guide. This is important for a large document with multiple authors. The style guide controls how your institution’s name shows up in print (and how it isContinue reading “Do you have style?”

Class of 2025 Pre-Orientation Activities

What should the class of 2025 be doing right now?

Why isn’t everybody building competency-based programs?

The SACSCOC Board approved the Direct Assessment Competency-Based Educational Programs Policy Statement in 2013. I’m ashamed to admit that I was in a position to collaborate with faculty to develop such a program for more than six years (before beginning this consulting adventure) and I never did. The possibilities, particularly in the workforce area, areContinue reading “Why isn’t everybody building competency-based programs?”