August 18, 2004

Members Present:
Stephen Tomasovic, Ph.D., Committee Chair
Margaret Kripke, Ph.D.
Michael Ahearn, Ph.D.
Marilyn Greer, Ph.D.
Shaun Caldwell
Donna Hemphill
Kathy Hoffman
Robert Jenkins
Shreya Kant
Victoria Knutson, Ph.D.
George Stancel, Ph.D.
Jon Wiener, Ph.D.

Members Absent:
Weldon Gage
Patrick Martin
Janet Price

Regular meetings of the SACS Compliance Committee have reconvened. The first meeting, August 18, 2004, was called to order by Dr. Stephen Tomasovic, Committee Chair at 10:00 a.m.

Dr. Tomasovic referred the committee members to materials provided for review. Members were requested to familiarize themselves with the materials. The materials enclosed included the SACS application, Compliance Contact and Assignment booklet, The Principles of Accreditation booklet, Handbook for Candidate Institutions handout, Documenting Compliance handout, and previously completed Core Requirements and Comprehensive Standards. The members were informed that the application for accreditation was approved. Dr. Tomasovic indicated that the next step would be to review the Compliance Report. Once review is complete a consultant would need to be acquired to review the draft. He has contacted Margaret Sullivan of the Consulting Network to have a reviewer assigned.Dr. Kendra Woods, an adjunct professor from the North Harris Community College System, will also be assisting in the review process. Members also recommended Judith Booker, previously from the UT-Health Science Center at Houston, to assist in the review of documentation.

Dr. Tomasovic indicated that Jack Allen, Associate Executive Director at SACS, has been assigned to our institution and will be visiting the institution on September 20, 2004. During Mr. Allen's visit to the institution he will tour the facilities and is scheduled to meet with the President, Dr. John Mendolsohn, and Dr. Kripke, Chief Academic Officer, to discuss the process and meet all parties involved. Dr. Tomasovic indicated that SACS and the Consulting Network require the President be involved in the process and fully knowledgeable of what is occurring within the institution.

Dr. Tomasovic referred members to the Committee Membership booklet. The booklet was color coded for easy reference. He explained that the bold yellow page consisted of committee members and contact information, the white pages contained shortened version of the Principles of Accreditation, the yellow pages contained Core Requirement documentation along with responsible party and proposed due dates, the blue pages contained Comprehensive Standards documentation along with responsible party and proposed due date, the pink page consisted of Federal Requirements. Dr. Tomasovic urged members to take a fresh look at the documentation and clearly address all questions. He confirmed that if documentation is appropriate as it is currently stated, it can be forwarded to Dr. Greer indicating that documentation has been reviewed, all compound questions have been clearly addressed, and submittal is satisfactory. Members have three weeks in which to complete current assignments. All assignments are due September 8, 2004. Any problems or questions should be directed to either Dr. Tomasovic, Dr. Ahearn, or Dr. Greer.

Dr. Tomasovic discussed documents forwarded from SACS which included "The Principles of Accreditation" booklet as well as the "Handbook for Candidate Institutions Preparing for The Accreditation Committee Visit", and the "Suggestions for Candidate Institutions Preparing for The Accreditation Committee Visit." Dr. Tomasovic requested that committee members review documents to become familiar with the process.

Dr. Tomasovic indicated that SACS has made subtle changes to the language and numbering of the Core Requirements and Comprehensive Standards. The draft Compliance Report has been revised to reflect the new changes. Dr. Tomasovic reiterated that within the standard, each standard must be in full compliance, partial compliance or not in compliance. The goal of the institution is to be in full compliance or have an exceptional reason for partial compliance along with proposed action to become fully compliant. It was noted that the institution had received an exception for standard 2.7.4, which covered the number of curriculum hours provided by the institution for each degree offered.

There are a few questions within the report that have not yet been completed. Dr. Tomasovic indicated that the questions are compound and multi-phrased sentences that would require more sophistication in how they should be answered. An example was provided from Core Requirement 2.5. The questions will have to be broken down and specifically addressed while providing documentation for each phrase in the standard.

Dr. Greer announced that significant changes from SACS have appeared in the Finance Section - Core Requirement 11. She also indicated that the Federal Mandates which use to be within the Comprehensive Standards, are now to be addressed separately.

Dr. Tomasovic indicated that upon the SACS visit on September 20, members are encouraged to ask important questions, specifically related to the sections each member may be addressing. Dr. Tomasovic indicated that shortly after the visit the compliance report will be forwarded to Margaret Sullivan and other consultants to review as well as place the report on the SACS website. Dr. Tomasovic has also indicated in conversations with Dr. Allen that he would like to move as quickly as possible to submit the report and have a site visit. Dr. Tomasovic is hopeful an accreditation committee may be here in time to vote on MDACC's accreditation by next December. That would mean that a committee will have to visit the institution early next year. The report from the visiting committee will have recommendations (criticisms) which will have to be addressed satisfactorily before proceeding for a full vote by the Commission on Colleges approving MDACC's membership.

Dr. Tomasovic shared the main areas in which problems can occur which included strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, outcomes area, and faculty credentials. Dr. Kripke mentioned that Dr. Mendolsohn has charged all of the major areas to develop a more detailed plan of how we are going to address items in the overall strategic plan, and indicated that it may be beneficial to have the charge moved forward. A member of the committee suggested developing a template for the strategic plans in which the format and language would be similar. Dr. Tomasovic indicated that he will discuss subject with consultants to determine what will work best.

During a conversation with Margaret Sullivan, Dr. Tomasovic was advised to review the strategic planning and institutional research and effectiveness documents posted on the website of a community college in Florida that underwent a prolonged exchange with SACS regarding accreditation.

Dr. Tomasovic confirmed that upon the visit next year the materials will have to be updated for 2004. He could not yet verify a date of the accreditation visit. After MDACC forwards our completed compliance report, SACS will forward the report to the accreditation committee who will then review the report and visit the institution. After we receive their report, we must answer all recommendations. SACS will then vote at either their December Annual Meeting or their July C&S Compliance as to MDACC's initial accreditation status.

Members were asked to review current documents and make applicable changes and forward to Dr. Greer by Sept. 8, 2004. An electronic version of the document was requested and will be forwarded to all members.

Members were asked to review the Federal Requirements and submit documentation to Dr. Greer by Sept 8, 2004.

Dr. Greer informed members that Margaret Sullivan suggested the development of an institutional Fact Book. Dr. Greer will be contacting members to assist in the gathering of documentation to complete the Fact Book.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m The next meeting is scheduled for:
September 22, 2004, 10:00-11:00 a.m., HMB10.123
Submitted for review by Maxine Stredic, Education Research and Assessment

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