First, yes, I do know that SACSCOC will become “The Commission on Colleges and Universities” or more simply, “The Commission” on September 1. There is a lot to like in the draft standards and a few things that institutions need to be aware of. There has been considerable streamlining in the new standards and aContinue reading “Draft SACSCOC Standards-There is Something Afoot!”
Author Archives: Douglas A. Wymer
There is a Disturbance in the Accrediverse
We have spoken with current clients, past clients, prospective clients, and fellow consultants over the past few months about the disturbance in the accrediverse. SACSCOC is re-writing their standards and the secondhand word from the SACSCOC Principles Review Committee is “radicle”. Last I heard the plan was to vote in December and there are supposedContinue reading “There is a Disturbance in the Accrediverse”
Are Accreditors Failing Students? Part 2
Last time we wrote about the claim that accreditors were failing students due to poor oversight of quality and outcomes. This time we will look at the other claims that accreditors are failing students due to misplaced focus on non-core metrics, the cost of the accreditation process, and permitting institutions to offer failing programs. I’mContinue reading “Are Accreditors Failing Students? Part 2”
Are Accreditors Failing Students?
This seems to be a common claim from today’s USDOE, citing poor oversight of quality and outcomes, misplaced focus on non-core metrics, the cost of the accreditation process, and permitting institutions to offer failing programs. Let’s unpack each of these over the next few posts. First, poor oversight of quality and outcomes. A focus onContinue reading “Are Accreditors Failing Students?”
Program Outcomes vs. Program Student Learning Outcomes
Sometimes faculty, program managers, and department chairs don’t understand the difference between these two very different types of outcomes. Nobody’s fault really, but knowing the distinction and knowing how to teach faculty about the differences is critical to an easier path to making a compelling case for compliance with a number of standards. First, StudentContinue reading “Program Outcomes vs. Program Student Learning Outcomes”
Let’s Talk About Online Platforms
As a teacher and then as an administrator I had worked with a few online platforms before I started consulting full-time early in 2020. You know these, they help manage the reporting on assessing student attainment of learning outcomes and administrative outcomes, they provide a template for your accreditation reports, and they may help manageContinue reading “Let’s Talk About Online Platforms”
How Difficult is Accreditation?
I was recently having a conversation with an institution President and a member of that institution’s Board and the President indicated that a reaffirmation “brings an institution to its knees.” I have thought about that statement quite a bit since then and, though I did not voice it then, I stick with my first thoughtContinue reading “How Difficult is Accreditation?”
Where will accreditation go next?
Well, we got through SACSCOC Section 6 in the “Permissive or Proscriptive” series and then we got Dr. Pruitt’s First 100 Day Plan presentation and it does not seem to be worth the time to continue the series. This is probably a good thing. To quote one of my favorite songs, “We can all useContinue reading “Where will accreditation go next?”
Proscriptive or permissive? SACSCOC Section 6
There is a bunch to unpack in the faculty standards and these usually represent quite a challenge for institutions as the case for compliance is built. Let’s look at these one by one. 6.1 Full-time faculty–This core requirement is focused on the institution’s mission and needs a narrative that shows that the institution has enoughContinue reading “Proscriptive or permissive? SACSCOC Section 6”
Proscriptive or Permissive? SACSCOC Section 5
Getting back to this series, until our next interruption. Section 5 is focused on how an institution is assembled and how the executive leadership is structured. 5.1 (Chief Executive Officer): Proscriptive. Each institution needs a CEO who’s primary duty is to further the mission and objectives of the institution. There is room for some creativityContinue reading “Proscriptive or Permissive? SACSCOC Section 5”