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Overview of Accreditation Studies

Wayne Danielson, Director Elaine Ward, Research Director
As part of its 1996-1998 reaffirmation of accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), The University of Texas at Austin will prepare and submit three self-studies:


A Compliance Self-Study. This study will concern itself with the University's responses to the "must" statements of SACS Criteria of Accreditation. (These are statements of the minimum requirements institutions must meet in order to achieve accredited status.) The main areas of "must" statements include: Principles and Philosophies of Accreditation, Institutional Purpose, Institutional Effectiveness, Educational Program, Educational Support Services, and Administrative Processes.

An Alternative Model Self-Study. This study format, recently developed by SACS, permits a university to abbreviate its responses to the Compliance questions that normally constitute the main task of accreditation and prepare in addition an alternative study dealing in depth with a question or series of questions of special concern to the institution involved. Following the recommendation of President Robert M. Berdahl, the University has chosen to examine as an alternative model self-study, the role of information technology at The University of Texas at Austin.

A Joint Self-Study on Athletics for SACS and the NCAA. Both SACS and the NCAA are interested in questions concerning the evaluation of athletics programs in institutions of higher learning. In recent years, the two organizations have cooperated on setting up a program that allows institutions to combine their self-studies and issue a single report that meets the needs of both organizations. The University of Texas at Austin requested and received permission to prepare such a joint report.


Organizing for the Self-Studies
The three self-studies for accreditation listed above will be carried out by committees consisting of faculty, students, staff and alumni of the University. Patricia C. Ohlendorf serves as project liaison to President Berdahl and to Provost Mark G. Yudof. To provide overall coordination and leadership, the University has established a temporary Office of Accreditation Studies headed by Wayne Danielson, professor of journalism and computer sciences, and Elaine Ward, research associate. The office will assist four major committees:


The Steering Committee, responsible for coordinating the overall accreditation effort, helping select committee members, assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and approving reports. Wayne Danielson serves as chair. The complete list of members appears as Appendix A of this document.

The Compliance Audit Committee, responsible for preparing responses to the must statements by SACS defining the minimum standards for accreditation for institutions of higher learning in the southern region. These statements cover a wide range of University activities and require the participation of a large part of the University community to formulate responses. William F. Lasher, associate professor of educational administration in the College of Education, serves as chair. The complete list of committee and subcommittee members appears as Appendix B.

The Alternative Model Self-Study Committee, responsible for conducting a University-wide Self-Study on the role of information technology in the University. In the last decade,The University of Texas at Austin has experienced rapid change in all aspects of its operations. A large part of this change is due to the introduction of new information technologies. This study will provide the University with an opportunity to examine what has happened in its many programs, what conditions prevail now, and what the future may hold as the information revolution continues. Wayne Danielson serves as chair of this committee. The complete list of of committee members appears as Appendix C.

The Athletics Self-Study Committee, responsible for preparing a single report that will respond to accreditation and certification standards of SACS and the NCAA. These standards cover the following areas: Governance and Commitment to Rules Compliance, Academic Integrity, Fiscal Integrity, and Commitment to Equity. Waneen Spirduso, Oscar and Anne Mauzy Regents Professor for Educational Research and Development, chairs this committee. Other members of the committee and subcommittees are listed as Appendix D.


In addition to the four main committees, numerous subcommittees will participate as will standing and ad hoc committees of the University and its 14 schools and colleges. Ideas and opinions of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni will be sought in all areas addressed.

Timetable
Organization for the self-studies began in January 1996, and committees were formed during the spring and summer. Studies on the various topics began in September 1996 and are scheduled to conclude in August 1997. Written reports will be sent to SACS and the NCAA in September 1997. A visiting team of accreditors and consultants from other universities will visit the campus Nov. 2-5, 1997. Final word on the accreditation of the University is expected late in the spring of 1988.
Summary
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the nation's largest and most complex educational institutions. In its proposed 1996-1998 accreditation efforts, students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and outside visiting teams will participate in the difficult task of examining and evaluating the ways in which the University fulfills its educational mission. The self-studies and the follow-up visits are expected to involve representatives of the entire University community in the evaluation and in the accompanying search for reachable and measurable goals for the future.

Appendix A

Steering Committee
Duties: This committee has responsibility for coordinating the over-all accreditation effort, helping select committee members, assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and approving the final reports. Its members include:

Ex officio --- Appendix B
Compliance Committee
Duties: The Compliance Committee will perform a self-study that is concerned with the University's compliance with the "must" statements of SACS Criteria of Accreditation. (These are statements of the minimum requirements institutions must meet in order to achieve accredited status.) The main areas of these "must" statements are: Principles and Philosophies of Accreditation, Institutional Purpose, Institutional Effectiveness, Educational Program, Educational Support Services, and Administrative Processes. Subcommittees, each concentrating on one of these areas, have been set up and are further described below. Members are:
Ex officio--- Compliance Subcommittees
Principles and Philosophy of Accreditation
Members: None. (To be prepared by the Compliance Committee as a whole.)
Institutional Purpose
Members: None. (To be prepared by the Compliance Committee as a whole.)
Institutional Effectiveness:
Duties: The concept of institutional effectiveness presumes that each college and university accredited by SACS is engaged in an ongoing quest for quality in fulfillment of the institution's stated purpose. The Institutional Effectiveness Subcommittee is responsible for describing the University's planning and evaluation systems to ensure educational quality in fulfilling our mission. Members of the subcommittee are:
Educational Program
Duties: Each institution accredited by SACS is expected to focus its resources and energies on the education of its students in a way that is consistent with its mission and purposes. The Education Program Subcommittee will focus on the University's core instructional program.
Educational Support Services
Duties: Each institution must ensure that its educational programs are complemented by well-rounded academic and student support structures that encourage the total growth and development of students. The Educational Support Services Subcommittee is responsible for describing these systems at the University.
School and College Liaison
Duties: This group will provide documentation of educational program and academic support activities in the various schools and colleges as they relate to the SACS accreditation criteria.
Administrative Process
Duties: The Administrative Process Subcommittee is responsible for describing the University's governance and administrative structures and the financial and physical assets that support the University's mission.
Appendix C
Alternate Model Self-Study Committee: Information Technology and the Future of the University
Duties: This committee will have primary responsibility for conducting a University-wide study of current and planned uses of information technology and the impact these uses are likely to have on the future of the University. Members include:
Ex officio--- Appendix D
Athletic Self-Study Committee
Duties: This committee will prepare a single report responding to the compliance criteria of SACS dealing with athletics and with the compliance criteria established by the NCAA for certification. Members are:
Ex officio--- Academic Integrity Subcommittee
The Academic Integrity Subcommittee will collect and review information to describe the UT athletics programs in accordance with the self-study instrument. Then, they will compare their findings with applicable operating principles. This evaluation will be followed by the development of written recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
Equity Subcommittee
The Equity Subcommittee will collect and review information to describe the UT athletics programs in accordance with the self-study instrument. Then, they will compare their findings with the operating principles. This evaluation will be followed by the development of written recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
Fiscal Integrity Subcommittee
The Fiscal Integrity Subcommittee will collect and review information to describe the UT athletics programs in accordance with the self-study instrument. Then, they will compare their findings with the operating principles. This evaluation will be followed by the development of written recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
Ex Officio--
Governance and Compliance Subcommittee
The Governance and Compliance Subcommittee will collect and review information to describe the UT athletics programs in accordance with the self-study instrument. Then, they will compare their findings with the operating principles listed. This evaluation will be followed by the development of written recommendations for improvement where appropriate.

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