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University reaccreditation SACS comprehensive standards part 4 by Cindy Abole Public Relations This is the eighth article providing an overview of the purpose, process and content of MUSC’s current efforts for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).   This fourth of five parts covering comprehensive standards focuses on those seven standards that involve university resources, and eight standards that involve federal requirements. The remaining part will cover institutional effectiveness, which includes the last of the 65 comprehensive standards as well as the final core requirement, the quality enhancement plan.   Initial information gathering about and documentation of these standards is a responsibility of the resources committee as chaired by Patrick J. Wamsley, chief financial officer, and of the federal requirements committee, chaired by James T. Begany, director of Enrollment Management.   Following is a brief overview of each standard as well as the associated documentation required. Comprehensive Standard 3.10.1: Recent History Demonstrates Financial Stability—meaning at least three to five years of stable conditions with focus on revenue stream, expenses and capital investments. Documentation would include audited financial statements; changes in unrestricted and total net assets; endowment management policies; and comprehensive histories of enrollment, endowment, short and long-term debt and fund-raising data. Comprehensive Standard  3.10.2: Regular Scheduled Submission of Financial and Related Documents Required by SACS—including multiple measures for accurately determining financial health of the university. Documentation includes completed and annually submitted institutional profiles for financial and general enrollment information as well as any responses specifically requested by SACS. Comprehensive Standard 3.10.3: Proof of Required Federal/State Financial Aid Programs Audits—documentation includes all audits for the past three years as well as any institutional responses to findings and all correspondence received from the U. S. Department of Education. Comprehensive Standard 3.10.4: Exercise Appropriate Control Over All Financial and Physical Resources—fiduciary responsibility for obtaining, sustaining and maintaining financial and physical assets in achieving the mission. Documentation includes internal audits, risk management reports, regular physical inventories, purchasing records (acquisition, tracking and disposal), investment policy, appropriate reporting channels (including board of trustees), and responsible staff qualifications and job descriptions. Comprehensive Standard 3.10.5: Financial Control Over Externally Funded/Sponsored Research & Programs—documentation includes grant management and accounting policies/procedures, indirect cost policy, and federal audit and management letters. Comprehensive Standard 3.10.6: Provide Healthy, Safe, and Secure Environment—meaning the university must take all reasonable steps to do so. Documentation would include evidence of qualified safety/security/health staff; safety, emergency, and disaster plans and procedures, including evacuation, health inspection reports, and evidence of environmental and occupational regulation compliance. Comprehensive Standard 3.10.7: Operate/Maintain Adequate Physical Facilities for Educational Programs, Support Services and Other Mission-related Activities—this would include all on-and off-campus facilities. Documentation requires routine/preventive/deferred maintenance plans, facility satisfaction surveys, three to five year annual capital budget, visual walking tour of facilities, and facilities master plan with map. Federal Requirement 4.1: Evaluate Student Achievement Success in Relation to University Mission—appropriate documentation must include course completion rates, licensing examination scores and job placement rates. Federal Requirement 4.2: Maintain Curriculum Directly Related to Purpose, Goals, Diplomas, Certificates or Other Degrees Awarded—documentation would include description of mission and curriculum relationships as well as proof that curricula are consistent with awarded degrees and good higher education practices. Federal Requirement 4.3: Student/Public Availability of Current Academic Calendars and Grading/Refund Policies—documentation should include relevant publications and Web pages, as well as how they are made available. Federal Requirement 4.4: Program Length Appropriate for Each Degree Offered—documentation would include criteria used in determining program length and all documents specifying program length, such as catalogues/brochures, degree planning worksheets, approved curriculums/policies, curriculum committees minutes, program review reports and academic policy manual. Federal Requirement 4.5: Adequate Procedures Consistently Followed to Address Written Student Complaints—documentation includes copies of the policies and procedures, as well as evidence of their being followed to resolve complaints. Federal Requirement 4.6: Recruiting Materials/Presentations Accurately Representing University Practices and Policies—actual recruitment materials (advertisements, Web sites, catalogues and brochures) should be included in the documentation along with lists of course offerings and schedules. Federal Requirement 4.7: Publishes Name/Address/Phone Number of Primary Accreditor—this is required in institutional catalogues and other publicity instruments, with documentation including examples of actual print and electronic presentations including this information. Federal Requirement 4.8: University in Compliance with Program Responsibilities Under Title IV of the 1998 Higher Education Act Amendments—documentation must include recent correspondence with the U.S. Department of Education, including institutional responses, any negotiated settlements and compliance reports. SACS Federal Requirements Committee James T. Begany, chair, Dr. Gail A. Barbosa, Dr. Connie L. Best, Joseph E. Brown III, Steven L. Brown, Laurine T. Charles, Dr. Lana A. Cook, Edward F. Cousineau, Pearl M. Givens, Dr. Thomas B. Higerd, Dr. Tariq Javed, Dr. Mary Mauldin, and Dr. Becki A. Trickey SACS Resource Committee Patrick Wamsley, chair, Dr. Katherine H. Chessman, John L. Cooper, Pearl M. Givens, Dr. Thomas B. Higerd, Mike C. Keels, John C. Malmrose, Dillard C. Marshall, Terry Stanley, MacKenzie Turner, and David V. Welch     Friday, Aug. 4, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.