News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu summer 05 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 12/7/05   SOUTHEASTERN’S ACCREDITATION REAFFIRMED BY SACS        HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University’s application for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) was approved at the SACS annual meeting in Atlanta this week, university officials announced.        Southeastern President Randy Moffett said the SACS Commission on Colleges voted to reaffirm the university’s accreditation for another 10 years with no stipulations.         “This is the capstone accreditation for the university,” Moffett said, “and I am proud of the strong efforts of our faculty and staff who worked so hard to ensure a successful outcome.”  Southeastern has been accredited by SACS since 1946.         Moffett said Southeastern has been preparing its application for the last several years. The application demonstrates how Southeastern meets SACS standards that cover every aspect of the university, including its mission and governance, financial and physical resources, institutional effectiveness, student services, faculty qualifications, athletics, quality of educational programs and library resources.        During a three-day visit in March, a SACS review team evaluated various documents, conducted inspections and interviewed faculty, staff and students.        “The university is held responsible for clearly demonstrating and documenting that we meet all standards and have the highest commitment to institutional integrity, accountability and quality improvement,” Moffett added.        The SACS review process has changed significantly since Southeastern was last visited by a review team in 1994. The process then required development of a single massive self-study document. The new process mandates completion of a compliance audit that addresses 73 standards with significant documentation that each standard is being met.        The new review process also requires the development of a quality enhancement plan (QEP) that addresses an area designed to enhance student learning at the university. Southeastern selected student advising and academic mentoring for its QEP. A university team worked for more than a year doing an intensive study and research in advance of preparing Southeastern’s academic advising plan, which includes the development of a centralized advising center and strong faculty mentoring.        “Our efforts over the last several years have been focused on increasing academic admission standards,” Moffett said. “The academic advising model we have developed represents an exciting opportunity to enhance student learning while also helping us increase the university’s retention and graduation rates, key factors in how universities are now being evaluated.”