University provides Racing to Reaccreditation 2020 update

Nov. 14, 2019 — UTSA has received preliminary findings from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regarding its Compliance Certification Report submitted in August. An off-site review team comprised of peer reviewers from comparable state institutions outside of Texas reviewed UTSA’s report and found that the university only needs to provide additional information for six standards covering three topic areas.

Kasey Neece-Fielder, associate vice provost for strategic planning and assessment, explained that during the accreditation process there are 71 standards covering 14 topic areas that are reviewed. Most institutions will have areas of noncompliance after the initial review, which means the reviewing committee needs more information. This gives the institution time to address those areas prior to the on-site visit.

Over the coming months relevant units at UTSA will be contacted to provide additional information as needed. “I’m very proud of all the good work done so far,” President Taylor Eighmy said, “and I am encouraged by this initial review. I ask everyone to respond to any requests that are made by SACSCOC moving forward so we can finish our last lap of the race.”

Neece-Fielder added, “We are very pleased with the thorough review and initial feedback by the off-site committee, and we look forward to further feedback by the on-site committee. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important step in the process by demonstrating the excellent things happening at UTSA.”

During the on-site committee visit March 16–19, 2020, the visiting team will utilize the preliminary findings to produce their final report. The last step in the process will be a review by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees, expected in December 2020.

UTSA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which enables the university to be eligible to receive federal financial aid. After institutions receive initial accreditation, they are reevaluated every 10 years for Reaffirmation of Accreditation. UTSA’s initiative driving the 10-year review—nicknamed the Racing to Reaccreditation 2020—is being led by the Office of Continuous Improvement and Accreditation.

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