From 2008-2011, LSCC will be engaged in the process of reaffirming its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC).

The SACS Commission on Colleges is the regional accrediting body for institutions of higher learning that award associate, baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral degrees. The Commission requires that all colleges and universities undergo an accreditation review every ten years. Institutions must demonstrate compliance with a set of core requirements and comprehensive standards in order to be reaccredited. In 2004 SACS significantly streamlined its accreditation standards and increased the emphasis on documenting improvements in the quality of the student learning experience. The new process and requirements are described in the Principles of Accreditation document.

Reaffirmation Timeline

Academic year 2008-2009

Summer 2008

• Orient & Organize Leadership Team
• Initiate development of web shell
• Assignment of certification sections and determine review structure/editor
• Identification of QEP task force

Fall 2008

• Begin Educational Campaign
• Orient QEP Task Force/begin identification of strategic focus
• Website goes online
• SACS Annual Meeting - December 6^th-9^th

Spring 2009

• SACS orientation of Leadership Team - January 26^th in Atlanta
• First version of Compliance Certification due with identification of compliance and evidence deficiencies
• Complete identification of QEP focus/begin plan development

Academic year 2009-2010

Summer 2009

• Second version of Compliance Certification
• Build web linkages of supporting documentation to Compliance Certification (i.e. faculty credentials, course objectives, etc.)
• Continue development of draft QEP

Fall 2009

• Continue Education Campaign
• Final version of Compliance Certification approved by President's Cabinet
• Compliance Certification to editor
• Broad college discussion of draft QEP
• Prepare planning system for QEP integration
• SACS Annual Meeting

Spring 2010

• Complete Compliance Certification web upload including document library - March 15^th
• Freeze web on CD & make copies
• Transmit all materials to Off-Site Team (March)
• Complete QEP
• QEP to editor - to printer
• Hotel arrangements for on-site team
• Off site review - May 11^th-14^th

Academic Year 2010-2011

Summer 2010

• Complete Response to Off-Site Team
• Submit Response and QEP (August)

Fall 2010

• Continue Educational Campaign - preparation for On-Site visit
• Detail arrangements for On-Site visit
• On-site visit (between September 7^th and November 19^th)
• Broad college discussion of draft QEP
• Institutional Response to factual errors
• SACS Annual Meeting

Spring 2011

• Institutional Response to recommendations/suggestions
• Decision by Commission on Colleges