91短视频 has earned reaffirmation of its accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The university received “an enviably strong review 鈥� an outcome to be celebrated any day, but especially during a global pandemic,” said Scott Barge, vice president for institutional effectiveness and strategic planning and 91短视频’s SACSCOC liaison.
鈥淩eaffirmation by SACSCOC is an important external validation of 91短视频鈥檚 mission, vision, strategic plan, financial strength and, perhaps most importantly, the excellence of the education we offer students across all fields and levels of study,鈥� President Susan Schultz Huxman said. 鈥淚 am deeply grateful for the efforts of so many faculty and staff whose dedication to this effort and to excellence in their daily responsibilities make possible this hard-earned recognition.鈥�
SACSCOC accreditation, which 91短视频 has maintained since 1959, allows the university to participate in federal (Title IV) and state financial aid programs.
鈥淩eaffirmation is a multi-year process that involves offices and individuals from all areas of the university,鈥� Barge said. 鈥淥ur success, and the recognition of 91短视频鈥檚 quality by peer evaluators, is evidence of our enduring commitment to rigorous, high-quality education. The collaborative spirit that buoyed our work 鈥揺ven as we simultaneously navigated a global pandemic 鈥� is yet another example of the 鈥楲ead Together鈥� culture that sets 91短视频 apart.鈥�
Barge and staff in the institutional effectiveness office coordinated the extensive documentation required for reaffirmation, working with Provost Fred Kniss and a committee representing numerous areas of the university. An initial compliance certification report, which demonstrated 91短视频鈥檚 alignment with commission standards addressing everything from financial resources to academic programs to student support was submitted to SACSCOC in September 2019.
鈥淭he hard work of the report authors resulted in a clear and compelling case for 91短视频鈥檚 strength,鈥� said Kniss. 鈥淭he excellence of our faculty and academic programs coupled with our enviable financial health combine to place 91短视频 in an advantageous position relative to many institutions of comparable size.鈥�
A reaffirmation committee comprising senior administrators and faculty from other institutions conducted a virtual campus visit in February 2021 to further evaluate the university鈥檚 educational mission and performance. SACSCOC also requires that institutions submit a five-year Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) designed to improve student learning. 91短视频鈥檚 QEP introduces a best-practice advising model for incoming first-year undergraduates.
The next reaffirmation of accreditation will take place in 2030-31. SACSCOC also requires that an interim report be submitted in March 2027. This report will include an abbreviated compliance certification and an update on the QEP.