Southwestern Prepares for Accreditation Renewal
(posted 10/04/04)
Alexis Franklin, senior journalism major
Southwestern Adventist University is seeking accreditation for another ten years. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), recently sent John Dwyer, a staff member of the Commission on Colleges, to meet with administrators at SWAU. The Commission on Colleges, which is part of SACS, sent Dwyer to meet with members of the Leadership and Quality Enhancement Plan teams. SACS accredits universities and colleges all over North America. The Commission on Colleges deals mainly with academic colleges and universities. This meeting was for the reaffirmation of accreditation which will be taking place during the spring of 2006.
“Accreditation in the United States is a voluntary and self-regulatory mechanism of the higher education community,” said Tom Bunch, vice president of academic services. Southwestern has been accredited since 1958. Southwestern requested the recent meeting to evaluate the current requirements and gage its progress towards accreditation renewal.
Dwyer first met with the Leadership Team, whose duty is to make sure accreditation takes place on campus. He also met with the Quality Enhancement Team. They are a part of the reaffirmation process as well, and must produce a plan to improve student learning on the campus.
“Accreditation plays a significant role in fostering public confidence in the educational enterprise, maintaining standards, enhancing institutional effectiveness, and in improving higher education,” said Bunch.
The accreditation process will take a year and during this time the University is asking for ideas from the community on how student learning can be improved. Please send your suggestions to: Dr. Tom Bunch, Vice President for Academic Services, 100 W. Hillcrest, Keene, TX 76059. Or e-mail to buncht@swau.edu.
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