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!”
Tag Archives: compliance
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”
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 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”
Proscriptive or Permissive? SACSCOC sections 1-4
Two months ago I promised to get started on this series, but we all got distracted by, well, something. As we get deeper into the standards we won’t combine quite so many sections into one post, but these first four are easily handled together. Section 1 (Integrity): Proscriptive. You either act with integrity or youContinue reading “Proscriptive or Permissive? SACSCOC sections 1-4”
Do you find the accreditation standards to be proscriptive or permissive?
Over the past five years I have had the opportunity to work with almost 20 different institutions on various projects related to accreditation and the answer to this question from my clients has gone both ways. Most of my work is in the SACSCOC region so I will focus on the Principles of Accreditation, butContinue reading “Do you find the accreditation standards to be proscriptive or permissive?”
Why is it so Complicated?!?
I have been in the accreditation arena for a long time, starting with my first SACSCOC annual meeting in 2003 or 2004 and my first On-Site Committee in 2006 or so. In total I have worked at three institutions, visited a dozen or so, and over the past four years consulted with 15 institutions andContinue reading “Why is it so Complicated?!?”
Big (but misplaced?) Changes for SACSCOC Standard 12.6 (Student debt and financial literacy)
There is a new interpretation for Standard 12.6, based on USDOE expectations, that becomes effective in September 2025. Let’s start by figuring out who will be impacted. Based on the President’s Communique from June 2024, the first group of institutions to write to the new interpretation of 12.6 will be the Track B institutions inContinue reading “Big (but misplaced?) Changes for SACSCOC Standard 12.6 (Student debt and financial literacy)”