WSSU prepares for reaffirmation from SACS

March 23-25, a team of eight reviewers from the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools will visit campus.

The team will examine documents,  speak to students, faculty and staff to determine whether Winston-Salem State is in good academic standing and financially sound. 

Their visit, which occurs every 10 years, is the final part of the reaffirmation process for  the University's re-accreditation. 

"The University started working on the reaffirmation process in fall of 2007," said Dr. Merdis McCarter, senior associate provost. 

Reaffirmation determines if an institution may continue receiving federal dollars and operating its academic programs.

 According to the SACS Commission of Colleges, "Accreditation ... signifies that an institution has a purpose appropriate to higher education and has resources, programs and services sufficient to accomplish and sustain that purpose." 

It is an institution's way of publicly stating that it has the "capacity to provide effective programs and services" and is committed to the "principles and philosophy of accreditation."

In preparation for the visit, WSSU created various reports including a "Compliance Certification Report" that contains 90 standards pertaining to the University's mission, library, student affairs, and financial resources. 

A "Focus Report" provides insight for the University's Quality Enhancement Plan. The QEP involves writing in all the majors and is called "Rams Write: Improving Writing in the Major."  

The QEP slogan was  submitted in November by a mass communications major, Falon Shields.  Shields won a $200 prize. 

During their visit, the SACS team members may talk to students, faculty, and staff about the QEP.

Even though the SACS team may not pay extra attention to a particular program, the University expects the team to review its QEP. 

"The QEP is such a critical element of the accreditation process," McCarter said.

 "The SACS team visit will determine if the QEP is clear, well-defined goals that will improve a significant area of student learning or student environment."  

QEP is a five-year plan.

 The re-accreditation process requires cooperation from the entire University community.

Along with preparing reports, staff, faculty, and the student body have been playing a major role in the preparation for the SACS visit. 

McCarter said some faculty, staff, and students have served on three or more committees that prepared the report.

SGA President Whitney McCoy said she has been  involved with the preparation  and promotion of the QEP since her freshman year. 

"We've sent e-mails, campaigned through fliers in residence halls, and word of mouth," McCoy said.

As far as reaffirmation, WSSU should have nothing to worry about. 

"WSSU has had follow-up reports, but to my knowledge, we have not been removed from membership, lost accreditation or given a public sanction such as probation," McCarter said. 

McCarter has been involved with WSSU's SACS process since 1968.

WSSU received its first accreditation in 1947.  

 If SACS determines that a university has insufficient finances, the integrity of the University is unsure, or the faculty or staff do not possess the correct credentials the university can be placed on probation and in many cases lose their accreditation. 

McCarter said it is very important for a college to be accredited by SACS.

"Students who earn degrees from institutions that are accredited are able to have their credits accepted or transferred to other institutions without question," McCarter said. Students attending an accredited institute are eligible to receive financial aid from federal and state funds. 

The faculty and school are also able to receive federal funds from grants. 

SACS, founded in 1895, serves more than 13,000 schools internationally. 

For more information about SACS, visit their website www.sacs.org

Article Contributed to The News Argus by Lena' Kithcart