SACS Requirements |
MCC Responsibility Center |
| 1. |
The institution has degree-granting authority from
the appropriate government agency or agencies. |
Dr. Cleary
CR - 1 |
| 2. |
The institution has a governing board of at least five members
that is the legal body with specific authority over the institution.
The board is an active policy-making body for the institution
and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial
resources of the institution are adequate to provide a sound educational
program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members
or by organizations or interests separate from it. Neither the
presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting
members of the board have contractual, employment, or personal
or familial financial interest in the institution.A military institution
authorized and operated by the federal government to award degrees
has a public board in which neither the presiding officer nor
a majority of the other members are civilian employees of the
military or active/retired military. The board has broad and significant
influence upon the institution's programs and operations, plays
an active role in policy-making, and ensures that the financial
resources of the institution are used to provide a sound educational
program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members
or by organizations or interests separate from the board except
as specified by the authorizing legislation. Neither the presiding
officer of the board nor the majority of other voting board members
have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial
interest in the institution. |
Dr. Cleary
CR - 2 |
| 3. |
The institution has a chief executive officer whose primary
responsibility is to the institution and who is not the presiding
officer of the board. |
Dr. Cleary
CR - 3 |
| 4. |
The institution has a clearly defined and published mission
statement specific to the institution and appropriate to an institution
of higher education, addressing teaching and learning and, where
applicable, research and public service. |
Dr. Cleary
CR - 4 |
| 5. |
The institution engages in ongoing, integrated, and institution-wide
research-based planning and evaluation processes that incorporate
a systematic review of programs and services that (a) results
in continuing improvement and (b) demonstrates that the institution
is effectively accomplishing its mission. |
Dr. Cleary
CR - 5 |
| 6. |
The institution is in operation and has students enrolled in
degree programs. |
Dr. Cleary
CR - 6 |
7. |
The Institution: |
Dr. Rosen
Dr. Bowman
CR - 7 |
a. |
offers one or more degree programs based on at least 60 semester
credit hours or the equivalent at the associate level; at least
120 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the baccalaureate
level; or at least 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent
at the post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional level. The
institution provides a written justification and rationale for
program equivalency. |
b. |
The institution: offers degree programs that embody a coherent
course of study that is compatible with its stated purpose and
is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education. |
c. |
offers a general education program at the collegiate level
that is (1) a substantial component of each undergraduate degree,
(2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent
rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component
constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent;
for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or
the equivalent. These credit hours are to be drawn from and include
at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine
arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics.
The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques,
and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession.
The institution provides a written justification and rationale
for course equivalency. |
| d. |
makes arrangements for some instruction to be provided by other
accredited institutions or entities through contracts or consortia,
where appropriate. The institution itself, however, provides instruction
for all course work required for at least one degree program at
each level at which it awards degrees, or provides an alternative
approach to meeting this requirement. The alternative approach
is approved by the Commission on Colleges. In all cases, the institution
demonstrates that it controls all aspects of its educational program. |
| 8. |
The number of full-time faculty members is adequate to support
the mission of the institution. The institution has adequate faculty
resources to ensure the quality and integrity of its academic
programs. In addition, upon application for candidacy, an applicant
institution demonstrates that it meets the comprehensive standard
for faculty qualifications. |
Dr. Rosen
Mrs. Beck
CR - 8 |
| 9. |
The institution, through ownership or formal arrangements or
agreements, provides and supports student and faculty access and
user privileges to adequate library collections and well as to
other learning/information resources consistent with the degrees
offered. These collections and resources are sufficient to support
all its educational, research, and public service programs. |
Dr. Cleary
Dr. Rosen
CR - 9 |
| 10. |
The institution provides student support programs, services,
and activities consistent with its mission that promote student
learning and enhance the development of its students. |
Dr. BowmanDr. Rosen
CR - 10 |
| 11. |
The institution has a sound financial base and demonstrated
financial stability, and adequate physical resources to support
the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and
services. The institution provides the following financial statements:
(a) an institutional audit (as distinct from a system wide or
statewide audit) and management letter for the most recent fiscal
year prepared by an independent certified public accountant or
an appropriate auditing agency employing the appropriate audit
guide; (b) an annual budget that is preceded by sound planning,
is subject to sound fiscal procedures, and is approved by the
governing board; and (c) a schedule of changes in unrestricted
net assets, excluding plant and plant related-debt (short and
long-term debt attached to physical assets). |
Ms. Probstfeld
CR - 11 |
| 12. |
The institution has developed an acceptable Quality Enhancement
Plan and demonstrates the plan is part of an ongoing planning
and evaluation process. |
Vice Presidents
CR - 12 |
