Quinn Wilson
In Motion Staff Writer
Photo by: Lisa Silversmith/In Motion
After three years of preparation, Daytona State College received a positive report from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, also known as SACS.
The association is a means of self-regulation for colleges to reach high levels of academic and administrative standards.
Daytona State complies with more than 90 of SACS’s regional standards for academics and administration, a first step is known as Compliance Certification. Before the on-site visit from the accreditation team takes place, a college’s chief executive officer must complete the certification process.
The second step the College must take is the creation and implementation of a Quality Enhancement Plan or QEP.
As a means of self-regulation, the QEP succeeds in giving schools an outline on ways to improve student life and academics. Daytona State’s QEP is called “Learn to SOAR.” Focusing on improving student success, “Learn to SOAR” chose to concentrate on creating a “gateway” course for Freshman Composition.
DSC is implementing a first-semester, one-credit hour course called College Resources. Meant to be taken alongside of Freshman Composition, students will be introduced to DSC’s many available resources at the Academic Support Center, library and College Writing Center. In January the course will debut at the Daytona Beach Campus and will be expanded to other college sites over five years.
Daytona State President Carol W. Eaton gave credit to the college staff for its successful SACS visit, which ended Sept. 26. “In my long career in collegiate leadership, I’ve never seen a more dedicated faculty and staff working together to give students the best, most comprehensive education possible.”
The staff’s dedication shines through, especially when SACS off-site review comes into play. Last spring, college officials submitted a 400- page compliance report. It included nearly 2,000 documents as evidence that DSC was up to standards.
Dr. Claudette Williams, the Vice President of SACS, gave college officials a positive response. “I want to congratulate you on where you are today. You have done an outstanding job. Well done.”