Chapter Two: General Institutional Requirements
Southeast Arkansas College meets the General Institutional Requirements set forth by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. 

1. It has a Mission statement, formally adopted by the governing board and made public, declaring that it is an institution of higher education. 

The College's Mission Statement and Purposes are published in the College Catalog and Student Handbook, the General Advisory Council/Program Advisory Committee Handbook, the Institutional Assessment Plan, the annual planning document of goals and objectives, the Faculty/Staff Handbook, and the Board Policies and Procedures Manual. The Mission is reviewed regularly by the staff and Board of Trustees to ascertain its continued relevance to the changing demographics of the College's constituents. (The minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting of July 8, 1998, documenting the approval of the Mission Statement and Purposes/Primary Goals are available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College Meets GIR 1. 

2. It is a degree-granting institution. 

On April 16, 1993, the technical colleges of Arkansas were authorized by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) to offer associate degrees effective July 1, 1993. All of the degrees are at the undergraduate associate degree level. On April 29, 1994, the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board granted Southeast Arkansas College, along with six (6) other technical colleges, the authority to award the Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree. On October 21, 1994, the AHECB reaffirmed approval of the A.A. degree with the approval of the College's A.A. degree curriculum and its State Minimum Core Curriculum. The College awarded its first associate degrees on December 12, 1994. (A complete listing of the degree programs offered through the College is found in the 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook. The AHECB minutes of April 16, 1993, relevant to this action are available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 2. 

AUTHORIZATION

3. It has legal authorization to grant its degrees, and it meets all the legal requirements to operate as an institution of higher education wherever it conducts its activities. 

Southeast Arkansas College conducts its activities at 1900 Hazel Street in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The College conducts classes off-site at Great Rivers Technical Institute located in McGehee, Arkansas, and at a variety of business and industrial sites. The State of Arkansas through Act 1244 provides authority for the College to legally operate as an institution of higher education wherever it conducts business. Southeast Arkansas College became a technical college under the provisions of Act 1244 of 1991, Section 2 and Section 19. The College is under the jurisdiction of the College Panel of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board as outlined in Act 1244, Section 7(e), and Section 8. (A copy of Act 1244 is available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 3. 

4. It has legal documents to confirm its status: not-for-profit, for profit, or public.

 The State of Arkansas has jurisdiction concerning the technical colleges. As a part of the Arkansas Technical and Community College System under the coordination of the AHECB and through Act 1244 (1991), the College is designated as a public institution. (Act 1244 [1991] of the Arkansas Legislature is available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 4. 

GOVERNANCE

5. It has a governing board that possesses and exercises necessary legal power to establish and review basic policies that govern the institution. 

Southeast Arkansas College has a seven-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of Arkansas. By-laws were established by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board to guide the boards of the technical colleges in structuring an effective operations plan. Section I.B. of the By-laws indicates that the Board of Trustees shall be responsible for the administration and operation of the College pursuant to the powers and duties enumerated by Act 1244 (1991) in Section 17 which addresses the local administration of technical colleges. Section IV of the Bylaws also addresses the powers and duties of the Board. (The Bylaws, Act 1244, and minutes of the Board of Trustees meetings for 1995-2000 are available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 5. 

6. Its governing board includes public members and is sufficiently autonomous from the administration and ownership to assure the integrity of the institution. 

The Southeast Arkansas College Board of Trustees is composed of the following seven (7) members: 

All of the members of the College's Board of Trustees represent the public interest. They are engaged in business, industry, and government within the College's six-county service area. None of the College's Board of Trustees members receives fees, wages, salary, or other compensation from the College. 

The Board adheres to the by-laws of the College and the authority granted to the Board in Act 1244 of the 1991 Arkansas Legislature. The Board also operates with a committee structure to handle specific matters regarding academic and student affairs, and facilities, finance and personnel, as necessary for the benefit of the College and in the public interest. The Board members understand the responsibilities of trusteeship and are ethical and responsible in exercising their duties and in making decisions without undue influence by governmental bodies, supporting bodies, and employees. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 6. 

7. It has an executive officer designated by the governing board to provide administrative leadership for the institution. 

Act 1244 (1991), Section 7(a)(3), and A.C.A. 6-53-502(f)(3), gave the College Panel and the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board responsibility for establishing the required minimum qualifications for the president. The Bylaws of Southeast Arkansas College, Section IV, B; and A.C.A. 6-53-302(f)(2), gave the Board of Trustees the power to appoint the president from the candidates certified by the State Board. On October 14, 1992, the Southeast Arkansas College Board of Trustees selected Dr. Terry J. Puckett as the College's first president. Dr. Puckett began work at the College on December 1, 1992, and continued to serve the Institution as president until his retirement on August 31, 2000. The Board of Trustees named Dr. Philip E. Shirley to follow as the College's second president. (The Board Minutes of this meeting are available in the Resource Room. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 7. 

8. Its governing board authorizes the institution's affiliation with the Commission.

 The College's Board of Trustees approved the College's initial affiliation with the North Central Association during a meeting held July 1, 1992. In preparation for the self-study process for reaffirmation of accreditation, the Board of Trustees reaffirmed the College's continued affiliation with the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools on July 8, 1998. (The minutes of these meetings are on file with the Commission and are available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 8. 

FACULTY

9. It employs a faculty that has earned from accredited institutions the degrees appropriate to the level of instruction offered by the institution. 

On October 4, 1991, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education prescribed the minimum faculty requirements in each program offered at the technical colleges. All technical faculty employed after October 14, 1991 must hold an associate or bachelor's degree depending on their technical field. Academic faculty must hold a master's degree including 18 graduate semester hours in their teaching area. The Adult Education faculty must hold a bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline and meet Department of Education certification requirements. The College's full-time faculty is comprised of persons qualified by education and experience to provide instruction offered by the Institution. 

As of the spring of 2000, the College had in its employ 57 full-time professional-level employees, including four (4) administrative staff, four (4) management staff, seven (7) professional staff, and 42 faculty. The highest degrees represented were eight (8) doctoral, 30 masters, 15 bachelors, and four- (4) associate. Among the faculty, the following highest degrees were represented: five (5) doctoral, 23 masters, 11 bachelors, and three- (3) associate. In addition, 23 support staff members were employed for a total full-time employment of 80 persons. The College also employs each semester, a number of part-time adjunct faculty and extra-help support staff. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 9. 

10. A sufficient number of the faculty are full-time employees of the institution.

 During the 1999 fall semester, of the 116 faculty teaching at Southeast Arkansas College, 42 were full-time and 74 were part-time. Full-time faculty taught 57% of the student semester credit hours offered at the College. Additional full-time faculty positions have been budgeted for the 2000-2001 academic year. 

The number of full-time faculty employed is reviewed annually in terms of the history of semester demand for the courses, the current number of students per course, and any request for new course sections to be opened. There is a minimum of one full-time faculty member for each full-time day program. If enough full-time faculty are not on contract to meet the demands for additional course sections, then adjunct faculty having equal qualifications are hired to handle the overload. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 10. 

11. Its faculty has a significant role in developing and evaluating all of the institution's educational programs. 

The functions of the Instructional Affairs Council of the College are to: (1) provide advice and recommendations to the Vice-President for Instruction and Assessment regarding the curriculum and instructional affairs of the College; (2) study and make recommendations for administrative consideration in formulating policies and procedures in the areas of curriculum, instruction and academic standards; and (3) serve as the Curriculum Committee for the College. The Instructional Affairs Council also serves as the College's Assessment Committee. 

Faculty members, in coordination with their Division Dean and Program Advisory Committees, update curricula and develop new courses and programs. Ideas and changes are submitted to the Vice-President for Instruction and Assessment through the Instructional Affairs Council. Proposed major changes and/or new programs are then reviewed by the Executive Committee and the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees before proceeding to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, if required. The number of graduates, placement of graduates, interaction with program advisory committees and employer surveys aid the faculty in the evaluation of educational programs. (Detailed information about the Instructional Affairs Council and the Faculty Senate structure and processes is available in the Resource Room. The Faculty Senate Minutes and the Minutes of the Instructional Affairs Council are also available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 11. 

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

12. It confers degrees. 

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the first Associate of Applied Science degrees on July 23, 1993, and the College received initial approval for the Associate of Arts degree on April 29, 1994. The AHECB reaffirmed approval of the AA degree on October 21, 1994, with approval of the College's AA degree curriculum and its State Minimum Core Curriculum. The institution conferred its first associate degrees on December 12, 1994. The AHECB has granted approval for the College to offer a total of 42 other programs culminating in the Certificate of Proficiency, Technical Certificate, Associate of Applied Science degree, Associate of General Studies degree, or Advanced Technical Certificate since October 1993. The chart provides a synopsis as submitted to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education of the degrees the College has awarded since 1993. 

This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 12. 

13. It has degree programs in operation, with students enrolled in them. 

College credit enrollment in associate degree and certificate programs during the 1999 fall semester was 1,789 students, including 172 students enrolled off-schedule. Of this, 731 were general studies majors and 1058 were enrolled in technical programs. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 13. 

14. Its degree programs are compatible with the institution's Mission and are based on recognized fields of study at the higher education level. 

The degree and certificate programs at the College are appropriate to the College's Mission "to provide comprehensive community college education, . . . with an emphasis on technical education." The A.A.S. degrees require a minimum 15 semester credit hour general education core and a program-specific technical core, which together total a minimum of 60 semester credit hours. The A.A. degree includes the College's State Minimum Core Curriculum of 35 semester credit hours of general education and a minimum of 25 approved academic transfer electives. The degree programs are based on recognized fields of study at the higher education level. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 14. 

15. Its degrees are appropriately named, following practices common to institutions of higher education in terms of both length and content of the programs. 

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board set the requirements for an Associate of Applied Science degree to be from 60-72 semester credit hours and the Associate of Arts degree to be 62 semester credit hours, including the College's 35-hour State Minimum Core Curriculum. 

The College refers to the universal Classification of Institutional Programs (CIP) Code designated by the U.S. Department of Education and the degrees recognized by the AHECB as assurances that the institution's educational programs are consistent with other institutions of higher education. Length and content in the institution's programs are consistent with that of other technical and community colleges in the State of Arkansas and with similar institutions nationwide. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 15. 

16. Its undergraduate degree programs include a coherent general education program consistent with the institution's Mission and designed to ensure breadth of knowledge and to promote intellectual inquiry. 

Southeast Arkansas College's Philosophy of General Education appears in the College's 2000-2002 Catalog and Student Handbook. This philosophy expresses the College's belief in the value of a general, well-rounded education for all students in higher education. The Southeast Arkansas College faculty provides all students the opportunity to develop communication skills, problem-solving skills, team-building skills, critical thinking skills, and positive habits and attitudes in both technical and academic courses. Course syllabi reflect classroom assignments and activities that assure breadth of knowledge and intellectual inquiry in both general education and technical education courses. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 16. 

17. It has admission policies and practices that are consistent with the institution's Mission and appropriate to its educational programs. 

Southeast Arkansas College is interested in student success and is open to any student with a high school diploma or a GED high school equivalency diploma. Nursing and Allied Health programs have additional admissions requirements. Admissions policies are published in the 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook. Additional admissions requirements for Nursing and Allied Health programs are published in the 2000-2002 Catalog along with the curriculum for each program. 

The ASSET, ACT, SAT, or COMPASS test is required and used for course placement as outlined in the College Catalog and Student Handbook. Students who are not adequately prepared for college-level work, as evidenced by their ASSET, ACT, SAT, or COMPASS performance, are required to take developmental education courses before they can be fully admitted to individual technical programs and the academic transfer program. 

Arkansas law requires that appropriate tests for placement be completed by students before entering a degree or technical certificate program or before enrolling in a mathematics or English course. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 17. 

18. It provides its students access to those learning resources and support services requisite for its degree programs. 

Technical labs, science labs, and equipment essential to both technical and academic transfer programs are adequate to provide the experiences necessary in preparing students for careers in business, industry and government or for further general education that is transferable toward a baccalaureate degree. 

The Southeast Arkansas College Library provides print resources, electronic databases, and electronic interlibrary loan access to materials necessary to support a "comprehensive community college with an emphasis on technical education." 

Support services available to all students include the Learning Assistance Lab (LAL) offering popular computer software for use in preparing research papers, graphics software for special class presentations, and extra computer time for assigned homework. The LAL also offers computer-aided instruction and free tutoring for developmental programs in mathematics, English, and reading. Software to support preparation for the N-CLEX test in nursing is offered along with programs to enhance the teaching/learning process in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, keyboarding and Spanish. Students in Business and Information Systems Technology are able to spend lab time on class assignments and special projects, since the LAL computers contain the business software used for instruction. 

Additional support services include career, academic, personal and financial aid counseling. The counselor also provides references to other counseling and medical professionals in the service area. A faculty advisor assists each student with academic planning and registration with the needs of physically challenged students being met on an individual basis. The counselor is available to assist students in special circumstances. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 18. 

FINANCES

19. It has an external financial audit by a certified public accountant or a public audit agency at least every two years. 

Every two years the Legislative Audit Division of the State of Arkansas conducts an external financial audit, with an auditor's opinion, for the College. The latest report covers 1998-99. (A copy is available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 19. 

20. Its financial documents demonstrate the appropriate allocation and use of resources to support its educational programs. 

The Financial Statement for the Year Ending June 30, 2000, indicates 46% of the year's expenditures went in direct support (instruction, library and academic support categories) of the College's educational programs. Similarly, 48% of the 1998-1999 budget contains allocations to these same categories. 

The State Legislature approved the College's 1999-2001 biennial appropriation in April of 1999. The College can budget up to $6,291,575 in 1999-2000 and $6,641,436 in 2000-2001. This represents a 28% increase over the fiscal year 1998-99 and a 6% increase for the second year of the biennium. The College has experienced increases in state Educational and General (E&G) funding between 1992-93 and 1998-99 due to a 24% increase in FTE enrollment over this period. 

The budgets are prepared from prior-year budgeted expenditures per program area. Any increase in the budgets is determined by the line-item maximum the State Legislature appropriates for the College. State funding has been sufficient to maintain educational programs. The introduction of special Workforce 2000 funds in 1995-96 continues to provide opportunities for significant further improvements and expansion of educational programs. (Financial Statement for the Year Ending June 30, 2000, and the 1999-2000 Departmental Budgets are available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 20. 

21. Its financial practices, records, and reports demonstrate fiscal viability.

Southeast Arkansas College complies with State guidelines that prevent deficit spending. All budgets are created based on anticipated revenue and are checked against actual revenue each month. State audits are conducted each year, and the results are available for public information along with the institution's financial reports. 

The Financial Statement for the Year Ending June 30, 2000, reflects the balances of (1) accumulated reserves in State treasury of $2,727,003; (2) cash on hand and investments of $4,987,872; and (3) receivables of $86,629. An analysis of cash flow histories and financial projections for the period ending June 30, 2000, indicates that deficit spending did not occur. 

To date it is uncertain as to whether the College will incur long-term financing for the construction and furnishing of the new Advanced and Emerging Technology Center. This 48,030 square foot building will provide classrooms, labs and related support areas for technical career programs in Biotechnology, Industrial and Mechanical Technology, Electrical and Electronics Technology, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Computer Network Technology, Telecommunications Technology, and future unspecified technology programs. The College has no current loan balance or bonded indebtedness. Because Arkansas law does not permit deficit spending, this will be the only liability the College will incur. 

The College established the Southeast Arkansas College Foundation, Incorporated, in December of 1993. The Southeast Arkansas College Foundation was declared a not-for-profit foundation under 501 (c)(3) in February of 1993. During 1999, the College raised $1,286,000 for capital improvements from private sources. These funds were matched, in turn, by the State. In accordance with Board policy on the use of Foundation funds, the College Foundation funds were used for the renovation of Technology Center-South earmarking residual funds to renovate Technology Center-North. Board policy regarding the use of bank fund and foundation reserves mandates that reserves be held in CDs and treasury bills at the best available rate. 

The student loan default rate for the period 1994 to 1998 was 17.9% (1994), 13.5% (1995), 17.9% (1996), 20.6% (1997), 8.1% (1998 - released February, 2000). Procedures have been instituted to maintain an acceptable rate of 10% or less. (The Financial Statement for the Year Ending June 30, 2000, and the Financial Projections for 2000-2001 are available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 21. 

PUBLIC INFORMATION

22. Its catalog or other official documents include its Mission statement along with accurate descriptions of: 

• its Mission statement - Catalog, p. 9; 
• its educational programs and degree requirements - Catalog, pp. 59 - 120; 
• its learning resources - Catalog, p. 45; 
• its admissions policies and practices - Catalog, pp. 17 - 35; 
• its academic and non-academic policies and procedures directly affecting students - Academic policies and procedures are found throughout the Catalog and the Student Handbook; 
• its charges and refund policies - Catalog, p. 26; 
• the academic credentials of its faculty and administrators - Catalog, pp. 192 - 201

The 2000-2002 College Catalog and Student Handbook and the Faculty/Staff Handbook document and describe important information for prospective and enrolled students and/or their families. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 22. 

23. It accurately discloses its standing with accrediting bodies with which it is affiliated. 

Southeast Arkansas College has been accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since February 23, 1996. 

The College accurately discloses its institutional and program accreditations and affiliations in its Catalog and Student Handbook. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing approves the College's Practical Nursing program. The Arkansas Office of Emergency Medical Services approves the Emergency Medical Technology - Paramedic program. (The approval information is available in the Resource Room.) The College makes only accurate claims regarding affiliation with other accrediting bodies. This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 23. 

24. It makes available upon request information that accurately describes its financial condition. 

A copy of the last audit report (FY 1999) is available in the College Library. The Library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday; and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The College's Financial Statement can be viewed on request in the Office of the Vice-President for Finance and Administration. Copies are available on request. (Both a Summary and Detailed Financial Statement for the Year Ending June 30, 1999, are available in the Resource Room. In addition, a Fund Analysis Report for Fiscal Year 1999 and an Appropriation Analysis Report for Fiscal Year 1999, both required by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, are available in the Resource Room.) This evidence indicates that the College meets GIR 24.