We will host the On-Site Review Committee, composed of individuals working at peer colleges and universities in the SACSCOC region from March 18-21, 2024. All members will come from institutions of higher education outside of Virginia. 

During the visit, the On-Site Review Committee will meet with individuals or groups of people (students, faculty or staff) to understand specific issues related to compliance with SACSCOC standards and the QEP. Please be flexible and readily available should the Review Team ask to meet with you during this time period. Interviews and additional information requests often occur at the last minute, but we expect for them to be scheduled on the afternoon of March 19th, and throughout the day on March 20th. Thank you for your flexibility and willingness to meet with the Review Team members during that time!

Dr. William B. Greer - CHAIR

President

Milligan University

Dr. Abel Chávez

President

Our Lady of the Lake University

Dr. Karen Aubrey

Provost

Gardner-Webb University

Dr. Bryce Hantla

Associate Dean, Associate Professor

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Dr. Joseph C. Brenes-Dawsey

Director of Institutional Effectiveness

Piedmont University

Mr. Jim Donahue

CFO, Vice President Business Operations

King University

Dr. Jared A. Thomas

Vice President for Campus Ministries and Student Engagement

North Greenville University

Dr. Patricia R. Payette - QEP Lead Evaluator

Director, QEP

University of Louisville

Dr. Patricia (Trish) Parrish

Vice President

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 

The members of the On-Site Committee Review Team mainly consist of presidents, provosts, administrators, and faculty members from other campuses in our region, excluding our state. They possess a deep understanding of the intricate SACSCOC standards and are committed to ensuring a smooth re-accreditation process for us. Their ultimate goal is to witness a successful visit and the reaffirmation of our accreditation status.

Prior to their visit, the reviewers have made thorough preparations. They have carefully reviewed our Compliance Certification, the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), and the Focused Report. Additionally, they have dedicated a significant amount of time exploring our university website and studying internal documents such as student and faculty handbooks and academic catalogs. The review process has received an immense investment of time and effort.

Please try to keep your schedule as flexible as possible, as you may be called upon for an interview with the SACSCOC On-Site Committee Review Team, focusing on your specific area of responsibility within the university. In such cases, please ensure that you bring the requested documents and be prepared to provide thorough answers to challenging questions.

During your interview with a site visitor, it is important to be honest in your responses. If you are unsure of an answer, simply acknowledge this and ask for some time to gather the necessary information. Place emphasis on the positive attributes of the university and highlight the strategies that have been implemented to address areas that require improvement.

It is crucial to only address the specific question(s) asked during your interview and refrain from initiating a conversation with the team members. Remember to always maintain a courteous and helpful demeanor. If you do not know the answer to a question, kindly refer the team member to Christy Cole, the Vice President for UDAE, for further information.

See the Talking Points document to review the most common areas asked about by SACSCOC On-Site Committee Members..

Monday, March 18, 2024

Reviewers arrive in Lynchburg.

Tuesday, March 19 – Wednesday, March 20, 2024 

President Alison and members of the Executive Council welcome the visiting committee to campus.

Devon Brickhouse-Bryson and other members of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Planning and Implementation Committee share the University’s QEP: Undeniably Curious — Creating a Culture of Critical Thinking with the visiting team.

Committee members will have lunch with requested members of the student body, faculty, and Board of Trustees.

Reviewers conduct interviews as requested with trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students to determine compliance with the SACSCOC requirements and standards. 

Committee members hold several in-depth discussions with members of the QEP Implementation Team regarding the involvement of the campus constituencies in developing and implementing the QEP, the formative and summative evaluations to be used to assess the impact of the QEP, and the resources (fiscal, human, physical) dedicated to implement and complete the QEP.  

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Exit interview with President Alison, members of Executive Council, and other invitees.

The University of Lynchburg is part of the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Class of 2024 for reaffirmation of our accreditation status.

The importance of accreditation to institutions cannot be overstated. Regional accreditation is the means by which the federal government ensures compliance with federal laws and mandates for higher education. Moreover, accreditation also determines an institution's eligibility to receive federal and state funds, as well as our ability to transfer credits with other schools.

Our designated staff member from SACSCOC is Dr. Patricia Parrish, Vice President. Christy Cole, the Vice President for University Data, Analytics, & Effectiveness, is our liaison for institutional accreditation.

In September 2023, as part of our reaffirmation review, we submitted our Certificate of Compliance, which was an extensive self-study covering all aspects of the university. This effort was led by VP Christy Cole, along with a team consisting of faculty and staff members.

Every individual on campus contributed in some way, either by participating in assessments, providing data or evidence of compliance, preparing necessary reports and documentation, or assisting in ensuring our continuous compliance with the 72 standards outlined in the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation.

In November 2023, a team of our peers from other campuses in the SACSCOC region gathered to review and analyze our documentation. These Off-Site Peer Reviewers are faculty and administrators from campuses within the region.

Off-site reviewers requested follow-up information for standards from the following areas: governing board, administration and organization, faculty, institutional planning and effectiveness, student achievement, educational policies, procedures, and practices, academic and student support services, and financial and physical resources.

In February 2024, the University submitted a follow-up Focused Report on these areas. The On-Site Review Committee will assess our compliance with the Principles of Accreditation by reviewing both the Focused Report and the original compliance certification, in addition to the information gained from their campus visit.