SACS and The IHL Board - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Feb 27, 2005

SACS and The IHL Board

Date: Feb 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Cossack
"will the Board’s ineffectiveness in dealing with USM’s accreditation problems splash over on other Mississippi universities or will SACS see the USM problem as unique?"

That would surely wake up the faculties at the other state universities. I'm surprised the MS State and UM faculties have been so silent.

Date: Feb 27, 2005

i heard delta state just went through their accreditation. if SACS has problems with the board, it didn't affect them.

Date: Feb 27, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"i heard delta state just went through their accreditation. if SACS has problems with the board, it didn't affect them."

Ah Ha!!!!! Considering USM's misfortunes, Maybe Delta state will join the ranks of Ole Miss and Mississippi State as the three comphensive state universities in Mississippi.

Date: Feb 27, 2005

As I understand it, SACS is presently looking at USM's institutional effectiveness program & distance learning operation. The scope of the probation doesn't suggest other issues are being actively investigated.

However, if I read the calendar correctly, just as soon as USM's current probation is lifted, it will begin a regular decennial self-study. (USM was to begin a self-study this year, but SACS regulations prohibit an institution on probation from undertaking a self-study.) At that point, everything's open to scrutiny, depending on how well USM officials (both administration & faculty) demonstrate that the institution is complying with the principles of accreditation.

If I have the schedule wrong, someone who knows please correct me.

Date: Feb 27, 2005

Cossack--

I have heard several people claim that SACS will be the end of Thames, but I don't see it. When SACS comes to USM, they will have materials in hand (that were sent ahead of time) and will look into some other items of interest. It is my belief that the paperwork will be in order and that all the bodies will be buried deep enough as to not be found. I am not a Thames supporter. I just think Thames and Co. will get their ducks in a row with a little help from the IHL, and Thames will claim another victory.

I just don't think people should get their hopes up that SACS will bring Thames down, because, as you have pointed out, the IHL will have to take Thames out itself, and I don't believe the puppetmasters behind the IHL will allow that until Thames is ready to go.

Date: Feb 28, 2005

i don't if you call it a self study (i do) but there are several committees looking at compliance issues right now. chairs, for example, are having to indicate the academic credentials of those faculty heading up programs. most with graduate faculty status are having their credentials reviewed. other such issues are being studied.

Date: Feb 28, 2005

Either the consultant (or Dr. Exline) may be "commencing to begin to get ready to start" the next self-study, or USM will be submitting updated faculty rosters along with its monitoring report. Compliance issues are supposed to be addressed continuously & not just during the defined period during which the compliance report is written, so what SCM mentions is good practice. SACS likes to say that self-study has evolved from an "episodic event" to a "continuous process" & that's a good way to view it. I was referring earlier to the defined two-year period for writing the actual compliance report & QEP.

The QEP for USM is going to be a very interesting animule.

(And yes, SCM, that "commencing to begin" quote is from Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen's fabled "Live from Armadillo World Headquarters" LP.)