The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC), a regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions, has reaffirmed the University’s accreditation for 10 years – the longest period possible.

Many institutions receive reaffirmation of accreditation with the stipulation that they must submit annual or biannual reports to be deemed fully compliant. However, no follow-up monitoring will be required during TCU’s decade-long accreditation term, since the University demonstrated complete compliance.

“This is a wonderful accomplishment for TCU¬ – and it’s an even nicer recognition of the great work our faculty and staff do with students each and every day,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr.

He gave special praise to the leaders of the campus-wide effort: Catherine Wehlburg, assistant provost for institutional effectiveness, and Ed McNertney, faculty co-chair of the 2013 reaffirmation process and director of the TCU CORE Curriculum.

Many TCU faculty and staff served on SACS-COC-related committees, including the Compliance Certification Writing Team, the Quality Enhancement Plan “Big Idea” Committee, the Quality Enhancement Council and the SACS Compliance Review Committee.

Accreditation by the SACS-COC is an important component of the University’s academic stature because it means TCU has:
• A purpose appropriate to higher education
• The resources, programs and services to accomplish that purpose
• Clearly specified educational objectives that are consistent with its mission and that are appropriate to the degrees it offers
• Demonstrated success in achieving its stated objectives

The SACS-COC requires all accredited universities to develop a quality enhancement plan (QEP) that outlines a course of action for ongoing institutional improvement. Drs. Wehlburg and McNertney will hold a TCU Town Hall meeting Jan. 24 to discuss the University’s QEP, which will be focused on “global citizenship.” All campus faculty, staff and students are invited to attend.

“TCU is passionate about consistently improving the university experience,” said Dr. Wehlburg. “It’s a goal the entire campus community shares, and accreditation shows that we’re achieving it – together.”