Every ten years, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) member institutions are required to undergo a comprehensive internal and external review in order to receive reaffirmation of accreditation. Surry Community College underwent its decennial review by SACSCOC in 2015, and its next decennial review will be 2025.
An On-Site Reaffirmation Committee, which also consists of faculty and staff members from other SACSCOC accredited institutions, will visit Surry Community College from September 16-19, 2024. The On-Site Committee evaluates and determines the acceptability of the QEP, reviews areas of non-compliance noted by the Off-Site Committee, reviews standards and requirements related to the criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education, and investigates any additional areas of interest. The On-Site Reaffirmation Committee completes the Report of the Reaffirmation Committee, which is submitted to the Commission.
In June 2025, SACSCOC will notify Surry Community College of the reaffirmation of accreditation decision.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the recognized regional accrediting body in the eleven U.S. Southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) and in Latin America for those institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degrees. To maintain accreditation with the Commission on Colleges, an institution must comply with the standards and requirements in The Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement and with the policies and procedures of the Commission on Colleges.
As part of the reaffirmation of accreditation process, Surry Community College will submit
An Off-Site Reaffirmation Committee, which consists of faculty and staff members from other SACSCOC accredited institutions, will review Surry’s Compliance Certification in Fall 2024. Additional documentation may be required after the Off-Site Committee’s review.
Accreditation is the designation that an institution earns indicating that it functions appropriately with respect to its resources, programs, and services. The accrediting association, often comprised of peers, is recognized as the external monitor.
There are four types of officially recognized accrediting agencies in the United States:
Regional accreditors accredit the entire institution which includes its reported distance education and off campus programs.
Accreditation by SACSCOC signifies that a college has:
Maintaining fully accredited status ensures that the college remains in compliance with federal expectations and continues to receive federal Title IV funding.
Orientation Meeting at the SACSCOC Annual Meeting
Compliance Certification Due
Off-Site Committee Review
Surry Responds to the Off-Site Report, if required
Surry Provides the Quality Enhancement Plan
On-Site Committee Visit to Surry Community College
Surry Responds to the On-Site Committee Report, if required
SACSCOC Reaffirmation Decision
Interdisciplinary Advance Team (IAT): This team consists of 8 faculty members (one from each division) who serve as QEP “leaders” for their respective departments. Further, IAT members will serve as “trail blazers” for the QEP, receive targeted, on-going professional development in advising, review QEP progress yearly and recommend adjustments to the plan, and are charged with hosting professional development sessions for their respective divisions.
IAT members
Five Year Plan 2023-2028
Choosing a college is an important decision, and we’re pleased that you’re interested in Surry Community College.