Columbus State University

SACS Accreditation

SACS Accreditation

Compliance Process

Update

The Commission on Colleges voted to extend full reaffirmation of accreditation to CSU on December 12, 2006 and approved the institution's quality enhancement plan, “Writing the Solution: Steps Toward Development Competent and Professional Student Writers.” The next reaffirmation is December, 2016.


The Compliance Process for the 2006 SACS Review

The goal of the new SACS standards is to increase the relevance of the process. There is increased attention to student learning outcomes and the institution's planning and evaluation process. The compliance process is peer driven and faculty and administrators at Columbus State University are involved in assessing each of the 73 standards to ascertain if the institution is in compliance, partial compliance, or non-compliance. Two phases are emphasized in the current standards: (1) Institutional integrity, and (2) Commitment to quality enhancement.

The compliance document was submitted in September 2005. An Off-Site team will evaluated the document November 7-11, 2005 according to the following criteria:

  • Mission
  • Planning, evaluation and use of results
  • Competent personnel
  • Written published policies and procedures
  • All educational programs reviewed and improved

CSU also submitted a Quality Enhancement Plan in January, 2006. This plan is discussed more fully in the section “Enhancement Plan” on another section of this web site.

The Off-Site review team made preliminary recommendations which were further validated by an On-Site team. This team will visited CSU during the time period March 13-28, 2006. Its primary purpose was to determine the acceptability of the QEP. However, the team also assesses compliance with core requirements and standards. Any deficiencies identified by the Off-Site team were discussed and reviewed with institutional personnel.

After the visit by the On-Site team a report was sent to the Commission on Colleges. A final reaffirmation of accreditation decision regarding Columbus State University was rendered during the first week of December, 2006.