Dr. Susan Finazzo is Georgia Perimeter College’s liaison for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. She also is GPC’s dean of Institutional Effectiveness and is a member of the GPC/Georgia State University Consolidation Implementation Committee. Through her roles, Finazzo is familiar with the current consolidation process and with the SACSCOC approval process. She recently answered questions about what to expect as GPC and Georgia State move toward consolidation.

Q: We understand that the SACSCOC requires a prospectus during a consolidation.  “Prospectus” sounds so corporate. What is a prospectus in academia terms, and what must it contain?

A: It does sound corporate! The prospectus describes the rationale for the change that is being requested and an explanation of how the institutions involved intend to implement that change, particularly in light of the commission’s Principles of Accreditation. The commission is not as interested in the nuts and bolts of what the consolidated institution will look like, but in how the institution can ensure continued compliance with the principles.

Many parts of the prospectus are very similar to the compliance documentation submitted for (accreditation) reaffirmation. The sections included in the prospectus are: Abstract, Background Information, Assessment of Need and Program Planning/Approval, Description of the Change, Faculty, Learning and Library Resources, Student Support Services, Physical Resources, Financial Support, Evaluation and Assessment, and Appendices. Examples of prospectuses from earlier consolidations are available online for review. View the Kennesaw State University/Southern Polytechnic State University consolidation submission: http://www.ksuspsuconsolidation.com/consolidation-prospectus/

Q: Who is responsible for crafting the prospectus? 

A: The prospectus will be written by a team including individuals from both institutions. This team includes the SACSCOC liaison from both colleges and others familiar with the process. The team will use information from a variety of sources, including the working groups, to write the prospectus. 

Q: Are there any SACSCOC deadlines prior to Sept. 15? If so, what are they, and when are they due?

A: There are no deadlines prior to Sept. 15.

Q: Shelley Nickel, associate vice chancellor for planning and implementation for the University System of Georgia, mentioned during the town halls that there were about “a thousand things” to be checked off for a consolidation. What are some of the most important things to be checked off as we move forward?

A: There are certainly a lot of functions that need to be discussed by the working groups. The three most important in my mind are: the mission statement for the new institution, the strategic plan and the organizational chart.

Q. The accrediting organization’s website mentions a Substantive Change Committee. What is considered “substantive change,” and what is the role of the Substantive Change Committee?  http://www.sacscoc.org/subchg/policy/Mergers.pdf

A: According to SACSCOC, substantive change is a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution. The Substantive Change Committee is selected by the commission and composed of representatives from member institutions. They work directly with a SACSCOC vice president and the colleges requesting the substantive change. Their role is to review documentation provided by the institutions and evaluate compliance with the Principles of Accreditation.

Q: Can we expect any visits from SACSCOC officials this summer? If so, what will they be looking for?

A: There are no official visits by SACSCOC officials planned for this summer. Merger/Consolidation is considered substantive change by SACSCOC. The Substantive Change Committee will be appointed pending approval of the prospectus by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees this December. The committee visit typically occurs within six months of approval/implementation.

Q: Will Georgia State be reviewed by SACSCOC as well during this process? 

A: At this point we will be Georgia State. The Substantive Change Committee will determine what facets of the institution they will want to review in person.

Q: Will our change require a new accreditation reaffirmation timeline from SACSCOC?

A: Yes, pending the approval of the merger/consolidation prospectus by the Board of Trustees of SACSCOC, our reaffirmation clock will be reset. The Board of Trustees of SACSCOC will determine that timeline. Although, the reset timeline can be as long as five years, we anticipate the college being in the class of 2018/2019.