Return to Main Menu

University reaccreditation SACS Institutional Effectiveness reviewed by Cindy Abole Public Relations This is the ninth article providing an overview of the purpose, process and content of the MUSC’s current efforts for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).   This covers the last of all 57 comprehensive standards as well as the next to last core requirement, both of which directly address the issue of Institutional Effectiveness.   The final core requirement, Quality Enhancement Plan, is due at a later date later than the standards and core/federal requirements covered previously; thus, will be the subject of a separate article to follow.   Initial information gathering about, and documentation of, Institutional Effectiveness is a responsibility of the Institutional Effectiveness Committee as chaired by Thomas Basler, Ph.D., director of Libraries and Learning Resource Centers.   Following is a brief overview of each standard as well as the associated documentation required. Core Requirement 2.5: The Institution Engages in Ongoing, Integrated, and Institutionwide Research-based Planning and Evaluation Process that Incorporates a Systematic Review of Programs and Services that (a) Results in Continuing Improvements and (b) Demonstrates that the Institution is Effectively Accomplishing its Mission—Institutional effectiveness is the systematic, explicit, and documented process of measuring performance against mission in all aspects of an institution. Required are periodic evaluations, the results of which demonstrate  institutional leadership clearly committed to effective and continuous institutional progress. Necessary documentation would include evidence of institutional effectiveness linkage to institutional mission; plans/budgets demonstrating linkage of assessment findings to all levels of planning; related meeting minutes and other documents demonstrating broad-based involvement of all university segments and stakeholders; related documents such as annual reports, annual assessment updates, institutional effectiveness reports, and budget preparation/review; and samples of specific actions taken to improve the process or process results for institutional effectiveness. Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1: The Institution Identifies Expected Outcomes for its Educational Programs and its Administrative and Educational Support Services; Assesses Whether it Achieves These Outcomes; and Provides Evidence of Improvement Based on Analysis of Those Results—This addresses the process of assessment that supports the institution’s administrative and educational support services and serves as the cornerstone of institutional effectiveness. Documentation would include goals/outcomes for educational as well as administrative and educational support services; evaluation of those outcomes; and use of findings to continuously improve the institution. Institutional Effectiveness Committee Thomas G. Basler, Ph.D., chair, Gail A. Barbosa, Sc.D., James T. Begany, Amy Blue, Ph.D., Wallace Bonaparte, Kenneth Byrd, Susie F. Edwards, CPA, Robin Hardin, Thomas B. Higerd, Ph.D., Deborah R. Holly, PharmD., Stephen W. Malley, DDS, Jacqueline McGinty, Ph.D., Franklin J. Medio, Ph.D., Sabra C. Slaughter, Ph.D., Terrence E. Steyer, M.D., and David M. Ward, Ph.D. Friday, Aug. 18, 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.