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2010 SACS Overview

Since 1926, Tarleton State University has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  Tarleton remains firm in its commitment to adhere to the accreditation principles.

This website provides the latest documentation regarding Tarleton’s 2010 reaffirmation. Information on this website reflects the collaborative efforts of the many constituents of the University.

The Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the recognized regional accrediting body in eleven southern U.S. states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) and in Latin America. It offers accreditation to institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, master's, and/or doctoral degrees. To maintain accreditation with the COC, an institution must comply with the requirements listed in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement. The COC applies the requirements of its Principles to all applicant, candidate, and member institutions, regardless of type of institution (public, private for-profit, private not-for-profit). These documents provide consistent guidelines for peer review, representing the collective judgment of the membership on standards appropriate for the assurance of quality in higher education. SACS will make a final decision regarding the reaffirmation of Tarleton State University in December of 2010. Reaffirmation plays a significant role in fostering public confidence in the educational enterprise, in maintaining standards, in enhancing institutional effectiveness, and in improving higher education. It also provides the basis on which colleges and universities can be assured that accredited institutions have complied with a common set of requirements and standards.

The following are the eight steps to reaffirmation described by SACS on pages 5-6 of the Handbook for Reaffirmation of Accreditation. They involve interactions the institution seeking reaffirmation, an Off-Site Review Committee composed of members chosen from the faculty and staff of similar institutions, an additional On-Site Review Committee composed of different members from similar institutions, and the permanent staff of the COC.

  1. The Commission staff conducts an orientation for the institution’s Leadership Team.
  2. The institution prepares and submits its Compliance Certification and relevant supporting documentation (and annual institutional profiles) to the Commission on Colleges.
  3. The Off-Site Review Committee reviews the Compliance Certification and supporting documentation attesting to the institution’s determination of its compliance with all Core Requirements and Comprehensive Standards with the exception of Core Requirement Twelve, which relates to the Quality Enhancement Plan. The Off- Site Committee prepares a report of its findings for each institution it reviews.
  4. The Commission staff communicates to the institution the findings of the report prepared by the Off-Site Review Committee. The institution may choose to submit a Focused Report in response to the committee’s findings. The On-Site Committee receives a written copy of the Off-Site Committee’s report and the institution’s Focused Report, if one is submitted.
  5. The institution submits its Quality Enhancement Plan to the Commission.
  6. The On-Site Review Committee visits the institution to review and determine the acceptability of the QEP, to review areas of noncompliance and other areas of concern noted by the Off-Site Committee, and to review any areas of concern that surface during the visit. The On-Site Committee submits its report to the Commission.
  7. The institution prepares a response to the On-Site Committee’s report and submits it to the Commission.
  8. The Commission reviews the findings included in the report of the On-Site Committee and the institution’s response and takes action on the institution’s reaffirmation.

Two important parts of the SACS reaffirmation are accessible through this website.  One may view the compliance certification report which provides an overview of each principle of accreditation.  Additionally, details regarding Tarleton’s Quality Enhancement Plan, entitled “Keeping it REAL”, are summarized.  Easy access to these related documents is provided by clicking on the appropriate menu items located on the left navigation bar of this page.

In an effort to review the achievements of all academic and non-academic programs and departments, over 300 individual unit assessments are conducted on an annual basis. Through the establishment of goals and objects, each of these areas monitors the quality of their services.  A software package (WEAVEonline) provides the mechanism to document these activities.

Faculty and administrative staff credential information is documented through the use of the Digital Measures software package. Vitas, academic transcripts, and course information for faculty are included within this software.

Should you have questions, please direct your inquiries to the Office of the Division of Enrollment and Information Management via telephone at 254/968-9354 or by e-mail at sacs@tarleton.edu.