We are excited to share that the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE) has completed Section 4 (Governing Board) as part of our ongoing SACSCOC reaffirmation efforts.
This section focuses on how the institution is governed — specifically, how the governing board is structured, how it operates, and how it provides oversight to support the institution’s mission. Over the past several weeks, we worked closely with institutional partners to review each standard and confirm that our practices are clearly documented and aligned with SACSCOC expectations.
Section 4 covers:
Governing Board Structure (4.1): We confirmed that the institution’s governing board is properly established, operates independently, and provides appropriate oversight and accountability.
Governing Board Responsibilities (4.2):
4.2.a – Mission Review
The governing board regularly reviews and supports the institution’s mission to ensure it stays current and aligned with institutional priorities.4.2.b – Board/Administrative Distinction
The board maintains a clear separation between governance and daily operations, allowing administration to manage the institution while the board provides oversight.4.2.c – CEO Selection and Evaluation
The board is responsible for hiring the chief executive officer (CEO) and regularly evaluating their performance.4.2.d – Conflict of Interest
The institution has policies in place to identify and manage conflicts of interest among board members to ensure objective decision-making.4.2.e – Board Dismissal
There are clear policies and procedures for removing board members when necessary.4.2.f – External Influence
The governing board operates independently and is protected from undue external influence or control.4.2.g – Board Self-Evaluation
The board regularly reviews its own performance and responsibilities to improve effectiveness.
Multi-Level Governance (4.3, if applicable): Not Applicable
Throughout this process, our focus was on making sure that documentation reflects what is actually happening in practice — clear roles, strong oversight, and a commitment to accountability.