| James E. Goodwin | Chair, Professor of English |
| Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences | |
| Paul W. Child | Assistant Professor of English |
| Donald Coers | Professor of English |
| Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs | |
| Caroline Crimm | Assistant Professor of History |
| Tommy Davis | Professor of Mathematics |
| Faculty Athletic Representative | |
| Jo Ann Duffy | Associate Professor of Management |
| Director, Gibson D. Lewis Center for Business and Economic Development | |
| Nancy Horton | Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice |
| Bill Hyman | Associate Professor of Health |
| Coordinator, Health Program | |
| Eren Johnson | Professor of Education |
| Associate Dean, College of Education and Applied Science | |
| Mitchell Muehsam | Associate Professor of Business Analysis |
| Associate Dean, College of Business Administration | |
| Darryl Patrick | Professor of Art |
1. An institution is required to conduct a self-study at the interval specified by the Commission and, at the conclusion of the self-study, accept an honest and forthright peer assessment of institutional strengths and weaknesses (Criteria 5).
2. The Commission requires that the self-study assess every aspect of the institution; involve personnel from all segments of the institution, including faculty, staff, students, administration and governing boards; and provide a comprehensive analysis of the institution, identifying strengths and weaknesses (Criteria 5).
3. In addition, the Commission requires an adequate follow-up plan to address issues identified in the self-study (Criteria 5).
The Steering Committee determined that the University complies with these criteria.
Sam Houston State University began its self-study in the fall of 1996 with the appointment of a Self-Study Director and a Steering Committee. Beginning early in 1997 other committee appointments were made, and the "kick-off" visit was provided by Dr. Gerald Lord, liaison to the University for the Commission on Colleges. Once all committee appointments had been filled, work began on the self-study with a commitment to three major goals:
a. to demonstrate continued compliance with the accreditation guidelines under which the University and other institutions operate within the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
b. to enhance our self-knowledge, believing that we as an institution should be keenly aware of what we are doing to fulfill our mission; and
c. to assure a continuous planning process which serves the dual role of building upon strengths and addressing weaknesses.
Having now completed the report, the Steering Committee affirms that a comprehensive analysis of institutional effectiveness in all areas of the University has been conducted; that achievements and continuing improvements have been noted; and that where weaknesses have been identified, recommendations and suggestions have been made. Finally, a course of action has been formulated for a follow-up plan to respond to the issues identified in the self-study, as well as to recommendations and suggestions made by the visiting team.
4. An institution must be committed to participation in the activities and decisions of the Commission (Criteria 5).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this imperative.
As previously noted, Sam Houston State University has a long history of responsible membership in SACS. The University has consistently adhered to the policies and procedures required by the Commission, and when appropriate, has participated in a variety of Commission-sponsored activities.
5. An institution of higher learning is committed to the search for knowledge and its dissemination (Criteria 5).
6. Integrity in the pursuit of knowledge is expected to govern the total environment of an institution (Criteria 5).
7. Each member institution is responsible for ensuring integrity in all operations dealing with its constituencies, in its relations with other member institutions, and in its accreditation activities with the Commission on Colleges (Criteria 5).
The Committee determined that the University complies with these criteria.
Again, the history of this University and its purpose/mission statement firmly establish the commitment to integrity and quality within all phases of its operation. It is also the perception of the Steering Committee that SHSU has long enjoyed a positive and fruitful relationship with other institutions within the Association.
8. Each institution must provide the Commission access to all parts of its operation and to complete and accurate information about the institution’s affairs, including reports of other accrediting, licensing and auditing agencies (Criteria 5-6).
9. In the spirit of collegiality, institutions are expected to cooperate fully during all aspects of the process of evaluation: preparations for site visits, the site visit itself, and the follow-up to the site visit (Criteria 6).
10. Institutions are also expected to provide the Commission or its representatives with information requested and to maintain an atmosphere of openness and cooperation during evaluations, enabling evaluators to perform their duties with maximum efficiency and effectiveness (Criteria 6).
The Committee determined that the University complies with these imperatives.
SHSU is firmly committed to providing the Commission and its representatives full access to all facets of the University, including information pertinent to the affairs of the institution and also including, but not restricted to, operational documents, accrediting activities, and licensing/auditing reports.
11. Each participating institution must be in compliance with its program responsibilities under Title IV of the 1992 Higher Education amendments (Criteria 6).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this criterion.
Sam Houston State University is in compliance with all programs which fall under the Title IV requirements. Discussions and documentation of compliance will follow within the appropriate sections of the self-study report. Support documentation is also available in the Offices of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Finance and Operations.
12. Each institution seeking candidacy, membership or reaffirmation with the Commission on Colleges must document its compliance with the Conditions of Eligibility as outlined in Section 1.4 (Criteria 6).
1. An institution must refrain from making a substantive change, defined as a significant modification in the nature or scope of an institution or its programs, except in accordance with the Commission’s "General Substantive Change Policy for Accredited Institutions" and its attendant procedures (Criteria 7).
2. All existing or planned activities must be reported according to the policies, procedures and guidelines of the Commission on Colleges and must be in compliance with the Criteria (Criteria 7).
The Committee determined that the University complies with these criteria.
In recent years, the University has submitted two requests for substantive change to the Commission, both of them on behalf of the College of Education and Applied Science. The first was a request to add a doctoral program in Educational Leadership, the second a request to add a doctoral program in Forensic Psychology. Both requests are currently under review by the Commission on Colleges. In addition, a third substantive change request is a joint venture which includes four institutions in the North Harris Montgomery Community College District, and six senior universities: Sam Houston State University, the University of Houston, the University of Houston-Downtown, Texas
A&M University, Prairie View A&M University, and Texas Southern University.
3. Each institution must have adequate procedures for addressing written student complaints (Criteria 7).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this imperative.
SHSU provides students with a procedural guide for filing written student complaints regarding grades, traffic tickets, discrimination, freedom of speech, sexual harassment, and other matters as well. These procedures are published and made available at the beginning of each academic year in the Student Services’ Student Guidelines. In addition, these procedures are available on the web.
Having determined that the University complies with all of the imperatives in this section of the Criteria, the Steering Committee makes no recommendations.
Because SHSU does not have separate units subject to accreditation procedures of the Commission, the imperatives in this section of the Criteria do not apply.
1. Any institution seeking candidacy must document its compliance with each of the following thirteen Conditions of Eligibility to be authorized initiation of a self-study, or to be awarded candidacy or candidacy renewal (Criteria 9).
2. In addition, the institution must provide evidence that it is capable of complying with all requirements for the Criteria and that it will be in compliance by the end of the period allowed for candidacy (Criteria 9).
3. The Conditions of Eligibility are basic qualifications which an institution of higher education must meet to be accredited by the Commission on Colleges (Criteria 9).
4. Accredited institutions must also demonstrate compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation which holds institutions to appropriately higher standards of quality (Criteria 9).
The Steering Committee determined that the University complies with all of these imperatives.
After a thorough review of all requirements associated with the Conditions of Eligibility as set forth in the Criteria for Accreditation, the University affirms its compliance with all thirteen conditions as follows:
Condition One: In obtaining or maintaining accreditation with the Commission on Colleges, an institution agrees to the following:
a. That it will comply with the Criteria for Accreditation of the College Delegate Assembly consistent with the policies and procedures of the Commission on Colleges.
b. That the Commission on Colleges, at its discretion, may make known to any agency or member of the public requiring such information, the nature of any action, positive or negative, regarding the institution’s status with the Commission.
c. That it will comply with Commission requests, directives, decisions and policies, and will make complete, accurate and honest disclosure. Failure to do so is sufficient reason, in and of itself, for the Commission to impose a sanction, or to deny or revoke candidacy or accreditation. (Criteria 9)
The Committee found that the University complies with these agreements.
Sam Houston State University has a strong commitment to compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation, to continuous cooperation with the Commission on Colleges in its requests for information and documentation related to University affairs, and to the agreement with the Commission that it may make known to any agency or member of the public that may request such information the nature of any action, positive or negative, regarding the status of the University with the Commission. Verification of these agreements is available in the Office of the President.
Condition Two: The institution must have formal authority from an appropriate government agency or agencies located within the geographic jurisdiction of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees, certificates or diplomas (Criteria 10).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this condition.
Sam Houston State University is authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to award baccalaureate, master’s, doctor of philosophy, and specialist degrees in a variety of academic areas. The President of the University is given authority by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, to award specific degrees to candidates who have been certified by the appropriate University administrative authority as having met all degree requirements. SHSU is also authorized to recommend certification in selected academic areas to the State Board of Educator Certification.
Condition Three: The institution must have a governing board of at least five members, which has the authority and duty to ensure that the mission of the institution is implemented. The governing board is the legal body responsible for the institution. Evidence must be provided that the board is an active policy-making body for the institution. The board is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial resources of the institution are used to provide a sound educational program. The board must not be controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from the board. The presiding officer of the board and a majority of the other voting members must have no contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution. The bylaws of the board or other legal documents must ensure appropriate continuity in the board membership, usually by staggered terms of adequate length. The bylaws and other legal documents must ensure the independence of the board. Amendment of the bylaws must occur only by vote of the board after reasonable deliberation (Criteria 10).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this condition.
The Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, is the governing body which has the legal responsibility for any action taken by the University. The Board, composed of nine members who are appointed by the Governor, meets at least four times a year to conduct the business of the various universities within the system. Minutes of all Board meetings are recorded, and at SHSU at least one copy of each set of minutes is maintained in the Office of the President. The Board oversees the financial resources of each institution within the system, including SHSU, and assures that these resources are used properly to fulfill the mission given to each of the universities, and to maintain and improve the quality of their respective educational programs. There is no control of the Board by a minority of Board members or by other interests or organizations separate from the Board.
Members are appointed to serve for a six-year term expiring February 1 of odd-numbered years, with three new members appointed biennially. The presiding member of the Board and the majority of the Board members do not have any contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution. The bylaws of the Board clearly establish continuity in Board membership and also ensure Board independence; in addition, Board policy also states that any change in the bylaws governing the Board must occur after proper deliberation and then only by vote of the majority.
Condition Four: The institution must have a chief executive officer whose primary responsibility is to the institution. The chief executive officer must not be the presiding officer of the board (Criteria 10).
The Committee found that the University complies with this condition.
The President of Sam Houston State University serves as the Chief Executive Officer with primary responsibility to the University. The President does not preside over the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System.
Condition Five: The institution must be in operation and have students enrolled in degree programs at the time of the committee visit (Criteria 10).
The Committee found that the University complies with this condition.
Sam Houston State is in continuous operation and will have students enrolled in degree programs at the time of the reaffirmation committee’s visit in March 1999.
Condition Six: The institution must offer one or more degree programs based on at least two academic years at the associate level, at least four academic years at the baccalaureate level, and at least one academic year at the post-baccalaureate level (Criteria 10).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this condition.
SHSU offers a variety of more than fifty individual baccalaureate degree programs based on four academic years and more than a dozen post-baccalaureate-level programs based on at least one academic year.
Condition Seven: The institution must have a clearly defined, published statement of purpose appropriate to an institution of higher education (Criteria 10-11).
The Committee found that the University complies with this condition.
Sam Houston State University has a clearly stated, well-defined statement of purpose which is published in a variety of University publications, including the current 1998-2000 Undergraduate Catalogue and 1997-1999 Graduate Catalogue.
Condition Eight: The institution must have an appropriate plan, as well as a functioning planning and evaluation process, which identifies and integrates projected educational, physical, and financial development and incorporates procedures for program review and institutional improvement (Criteria 11).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this condition.
Sam Houston State University has a variety of planning and evaluation processes, including the recently completed Strategic Planning Report, which combines with the institutional effectiveness policy to provide a viable planning and evaluation process that includes projected educational, physical, and financial development and incorporates procedures for program review and institutional improvement.
Condition Nine: The institution must have published admission policies compatible with its stated purpose (Criteria 11).
The Committee found that the University complies with this condition.
The University’s admission policies are published in both the undergraduate and graduate catalogues and are clearly compatible with the University’s purpose/mission. A review and analysis of these policies can be found in the Sections 4.2 (Undergraduate Education) and 4.3 (Graduate Education) of this self-study report.
Condition Ten: All undergraduate degree programs of the institution must include a substantial component of general education courses at the collegiate level. For degree completion in associate programs, the component must constitute a minimum of 15 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours and for baccalaureate programs a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent quarter hours. The credit hours must be drawn from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/ behavioral sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics. The courses must not be narrowly focused on those skills, techniques and procedures peculiar to a particular occupation or profession (Criteria 11).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this condition.
Some years ago the University adopted a Core Curriculum for all baccalaureate degree programs. The Core at present includes over fifty semester hours of academic courses, including courses drawn from the humanities/fine arts, the social/behavioral sciences, and the natural sciences/ mathematics. The specific component requirements are listed in the current 1998-2000 Undergraduate Catalogue.
Condition Eleven: In each major in a degree program there must be at least one full-time faculty member with responsibility for supervision and coordination of the major. In those degree programs for which the institution does not identify a major, this requirement applies to a curricular area or concentration (Criteria 11).
The Committee found that the University complies with this condition.
The deans of the four colleges—Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Education and Applied Science—assign to at least one faculty member administrative responsibility for each academic program which offers a major or an area of concentration.
Condition Twelve: The institution must have sufficient learning resources or, through formal agreements or appropriate technology, ensure the provision of and ready access to adequate learning resources and services to support the courses, programs and degrees offered (Criteria 11).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this condition.
SHSU has sufficient learning resources throughout the University to support its educational programs. Many of these resources, including the Newton Gresham Library, the Learning Assistance Center, the Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies, and the Gibbs Ranch, are cited in later sections of the self-study.
Condition Thirteen: The institution must have an adequate financial base to accomplish its purpose at an acceptable level on a continuing basis. The institution must provide financial statements and related documents (as specified in Section 6.3.6) which accurately and appropriately represent the total operation of the institution. Any institution, whether a part of a system or not, which is seeking initial candidacy for membership, candidacy renewal, or initial membership must include in its application separate institutional audits and management letters for its three most recent fiscal years, including that for the fiscal year ending immediately prior to the date of the submission of the application. Further, it must have available the audit and management letter for the most recent fiscal year ending immediately prior to any committee visit for candidacy, candidacy renewal, or initial membership. These audits must be conducted by independent certified public accountants or an appropriate governmental auditing agency. An applicant or candidate institution must not show an annual or cumulative operating deficit at anytime during the application process or at any time during candidacy (Criteria 11-13)
The Committee determined that the University complies with this condition.
Sam Houston State continues to maintain an adequate financial base to fulfill its purpose. The required financial statements and audits are available in the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Operations. (See Section 6.3 of the self-study report, below.)
Having determined that the University complies with all of the imperatives in this section of the Criteria, the Steering Committee has no recommendations.
Sam Houston State was first accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1925. The primary purpose of this self-study is to support the University’s application for reaffirmation of accreditation. Therefore, the imperatives in this section of the Criteria do not apply.
1. An institution must be accurate in reporting to the public its status and relationship with the Commission.
2. In catalogs, brochures and advertisements a member must describe its relationship with the Commission only according to the following statement: (Name of institution) is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award (name specific degree levels).
The Committee determined that the University complies fully with the first of these criteria, but only partially with the second.
SHSU’s 1998-2000 Undergraduate Catalogue, as well as other current brochures and advertisements, describes the University’s relationship with the Commission as required. However, the 1997-1999 Graduate Catalogue fails to include the address and phone number of the Commission. (When the University first noted changes in the 1996 Criteria, apropos this requirement, the 1997-1999 Graduate Catalogue had already gone to press.) The University does not make any statements about future accreditation status with the Commission, and it does not use the seal or logo of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Having determined that the University complies only partially with the second imperative in this section of the Criteria, the Self-Study Steering Committee makes the following recommendation:
The University must take appropriate action to ensure that the 1999-2001 Graduate Catalogue, as well as all other future catalogues, brochures and advertisements, accurately describes the relationship of the institution with the Commission as required in the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation.
Imperative |
Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
| 1. An institution is required to conduct a self-study at the interval specified by the Commission and, at the conclusion of the self-study, accept an honest and forthright peer assessment of institutional strengths and weaknesses. | Compliance | Copy of letter to Commission from President Marks
Copy of letter to Dr. Gerald Lord from President Marks |
|
2. The Commission requires that the self-study assess every aspect of the institution; involve personnel from all segments of the institution, including faculty, staff, students, administration and governing boards; and provide a comprehensive analysis of the institution, identifying strengths and weaknesses. |
Compliance | Copy of SHSU Self-Study Plan
SHSU 1997-1999 Self-Study for Reaffirmation of Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
|
3. In addition, the Commission requires an adequate follow-up plan to address issues identified in the self-study. |
Compliance |
Copy of SHSU Follow-up Plan (In Progress) |
| 4. An institution must be committed to participation in the activities and decisions of the Commission. | Compliance | Ongoing Records of Institutional Participation with Commission Performance and Activities |
| 5. An institution of higher learning is committed to the search for knowledge and its dissemination. | Compliance |
Institutional Records Ongoing Records of Institutional Participation with Commission Performance and Activities |
6. Integrity in the pursuit of knowledge is expected to govern the total environment of an institution. | Compliance | Ongoing Records of Institutional Participation with Commission Performance and Activities
SHSU Mission Statement SHSU 1997-1999 Self-Study for Reaffirmation of Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
| 7. Each member institution is responsible for ensuring integrity in all operations dealing with its constituencies, in its relations with other member institutions, and in its accreditation activities with the Commission on Colleges. | Compliance | Ongoing Records of Institutional Participation with Commission Performance and Activities
SHSU 1997-1999 Self-Study for Reaffirmation of Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
| 8. Each institution must provide the Commission access to all parts of its operation and to complete and accurate information about the institution’s affairs, including reports of other accrediting, licensing and auditing agencies. | Compliance | Cumulative Record of Activity and Cooperation with Commission on Colleges
Ongoing Records of Institutional Participation with Commission Performance and Activities |
| 9. In the spirit of collegiality, institutions are expected to cooperate fully during all aspects of the process of evaluation: preparations for site visits, the site visit itself, and the follow up to the site visit. | Compliance | Cumulative Record of Activity and Cooperation with Commission on Colleges
Ongoing Records of Institutional Participation with Commission Performance and Activities |
| 10. Institutions are also expected to provide the Commission or its representatives with information requested and to maintain an atmosphere of openness and cooperation during evaluations, enabling evaluators to perform their duties with maximum efficiency and effectiveness. | Compliance | Cumulative Record of Activity and Cooperation with Commission on Colleges Ongoing Records of Institutional Participation with Commission Performance and Activities |
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11. Each participating institution must be in compliance with its program responsibilities under Title IV of the 1992 Higher Education amendments. |
Compliance |
Correspondence and Support Documentation Regarding Compliance with All the Requirements under Title IV of 1992 Higher Education Amendment (Available in the Offices of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Finance and Operations) |
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12. Each institution seeking candidacy, membership or reaffirmation with the Commission on Colleges must document its compliance with the Conditions of Eligibility as outlined in Section 1.4. |
Compliance |
See documentation, Section 1.4, below (Conditions of Eligibility) |
1.2: Application of the Criteria
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
|
1. An institution must refrain from making a substantive change, defined as a significant modification in the nature or scope of an institution or its programs, except in accordance with the Commission’s "General Substantive Change Policy for Accredited Institutions" and its attendant procedures. |
Compliance |
Records Relating to Substantive Change Requests (Available in the Office of the President) |
|
2. All existing or planned activities must be reported according to the policies, procedures and guidelines of the Commission on Colleges and must be in compliance with the Criteria. |
Compliance |
Records Relating to Institutional Activities in Accordance with the Criteria (Available in the Offices of the President and the Vice President for Academic Affairs) |
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3. Each institution must have adequate procedures for addressing written student complaints. |
Compliance |
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
|
1. Any institution seeking candidacy must document its compliance with each of the following thirteen Conditions of Eligibility to be authorized initiation of a self-study, or to be awarded candidacy or candidacy renewal. |
Compliance |
Institutional Records Associated with SHSU’s Relationship with the Commission on Colleges (Available in the Offices of the President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Finance and Operations, and Vice President for Student Services) |
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2. In addition, the institution must provide evidence that it is capable of complying with all requirements for the Criteria and that it will be in compliance by the end of the period allowed for candidacy. |
Compliance |
Documents from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System (Available in the Office of the President) |
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3. The Conditions of Eligibility are basic qualifications which an institution of higher education must meet to be accredited by the Commission on Colleges. |
Compliance |
See supporting documentation, Items 1.1, Criterion 7, through 1.4, Criterion 2 |
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4. Accredited institutions must also demonstrate compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation which holds institutions to appropriately higher standards of quality. |
Compliance |
SHSU 1997-1999 Self-Study for Reaffirmation of Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
|
1. An institution must be accurate in reporting to the public its status and relationship with the Commission. |
Compliance |
|
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2. In catalogs, brochures and advertisements a member must describe its relationship with the Commission only according to the following statement: (Name of institution) is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award (name specific degree levels). |
Partial Compliance |
The University must take appropriate action to ensure that the 1999-2001 Graduate Catalogue, as well as all other future catalogues, brochures and advertisements, accurately describes the relationship of the institution with the Commission as required in the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation.
SUGGESTIONS:
None