Steps in the Accreditation Reaffirmation Process
There are eight steps in the reaffirmation process that involve the institution,
the Off-Site and On-Site Review Committees, and Commission staff.
Each step may include several components. They are as follows:
- The Commission staff conducts an orientation for the institution's
Leadership Team.
- The institution prepares and submits its Compliance Certification
and relevant supporting documentation (and annual institutional
profiles) to the Commission on Colleges.
- 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.
- 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.
- The institution submits its Quality Enhancement Plan to the Commission.
- 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.
- The institution prepares a response to the On-Site Committee's report
and submits it to the Commission.
- 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.