1999-2000 Self-Study Compliance Committee Report

Introduction

The University of Georgia's 1999-2000 Self-Study

The University of Georgia’s proposal to pursue an alternative self-study for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges was approved by SACS in Fall 1998. As a result, our 1999-2000 Self-Study had two components. The first component was a highly participatory study of a topic we selected because of its particular importance to our University: Creating a Climate of Inquiry: the Undergraduate Experience at a Public Research University and its Relation to the University’s Mission. The Reports of the Undergraduate Experience Committees comprise Volume II.

The second component of our 1999-2000 Self-Study was an assessment of the University of Georgia’s compliance with the SACS Criteria for Accreditation (1998) (the Criteria). The Criteria contains approximately 500 "must statements." Institutions are required to meet these criteria in order to retain accreditation. The Criteria also includes "should statements," criteria that are of an advisory nature, though not required. The Self-Study Compliance Committee completed the initial assessment of compliance, presenting its report to the Steering Committee in Fall 2000. After discussion and revision, the Steering Committee approved the report for presentation to the University of Georgia Administration and SACS on November 28, 2000. That report comprises this volume.

Overview of Process Used in Assessing Compliance

Professor Jeff Kotzan of the College of Pharmacy was appointed chair of the Compliance Committee. Professor Kotzan is a senior faculty member with significant experience in University governance. The Compliance Committee had 22 members, and included students, faculty, staff, and administrators (See Committee Roster, page 3).

The Committee received its charge and organized in Spring 1999. Committee members spent the summer familiarizing themselves with the Criteria. In early Fall 1999, a "nuts and bolts" seminar was held for all Committee members. During this seminar, they examined the recommendations made in the 1989-90 Self-Study, and those made by SACS Reaffirmation Visiting Committee in 1991; divided responsibility for sections of the Criteria; and developed a work plan which included initial identification of key documents to be accessed and personnel to be contacted.

Throughout the 1999-2000 academic year, Committee members worked in teams to assess compliance, and wrote draft reports that were presented to and discussed by the entire Committee. Those reports were circulated to key individuals for "early input," that is, identification of points that might be addressed, updated, etc. The Committee considered this input, incorporated it into the report where appropriate, and adopted a final report which was presented to the Steering Committee in Fall 2000. As noted above, the Steering Committee then reviewed the document, revised as necessary, and approved the report in November 2000.

The Organization of this Report

For ease of use, this report is organized in the same manner as the Criteria; assessment of compliance with each criterion is presented separately in the following manner:

• Must/Should Statement
  
  Our Compliance Committee members used the Eleventh Edition, First Printing of the Criteria. Prior to each "must/should statement," a reference is made to the section number, page number and line number. For example, 1.4b (9:5) means the statement is in Section 1.4 on page 9 at line 5. Many sections of the Criteria contain multiple "must statements." The b means that this is the second "must statement" in that section.
• Response
• References
• Conclusion

Other Options for Viewing this Report

The full text is available on the CD provided with Volume I. It is also available online at www.nmi.uga.edu/projects/selfstudy/.

Committee members obtained on-line citations to key documents used in assessing compliance. Members of the visiting committee can access those documents prior to visiting our campus, if desired. URLs are provided in the reference section for each criterion. If the report is being read on-line, the reader may click on the URL provided to access the document. However, if the report is being read from the CD, the links to supporting documents will not work.

Hard copies of most supporting documents will be available during the visit in the committee’s work area.

Compliance Committee Roster