SACS committee's October visit will evaluate college's new IC plan

By Amanda Stegall
[email protected]
Staff Writer

The last phase of Georgia Highlands' routine re-accreditation process is scheduled for Oct. 15-17 with a visit from a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) committee.

According to Dr. Laura Musselwhite, professor of history and reaffirmation director, officials from SACS may interview students at random about their experiences at the college and their knowledge of the QEP.

"The Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, is part of the SACS requirements for improvement," said Leslie Johnson, instructor of communication and this year's chair of the QEP Implementation Committee. Georgia Highlands' QEP is Information Competency (IC).

"IC is an active idea," said Johnson. "It is designed to teach students how to gather information through research and how to identify scholarly sources as well as test the credibility of a website."

IC also promotes an understanding of the different forms of source citation for research. "I think the IC program is a good idea because it gives students more access to information that's credible," said Rachael Truitt, an education major from Thomaston.

Musselwhite said SACS "committees love students and will want to make sure they understand what the QEP is." Musselwhite encourages students not to be afraid. �Feel free to speak to them,� she said. "They'll be wearing name tags and will be focusing on the QEP.

"This year, the communications and FCCS classes in Area B are strongly including IC throughout the courses. "In the communication classes, two assessments are being conducted as a test of ICs efficiency: a pre- and post-test and a rubric to grade how well knowledge acquired through IC has been applied to a speech," Johnson said.

"FCCS classes are also being given a pre- and post-test as well as a take-home assignment and a library orientation that explains the use of GIL, GALILEO and the GHC homepage," said Johnson. Musselwhite stated that the IC initiative is designed to be introduced into the total curriculum over the next five years.

"I haven't heard anything about IC, but I think it's a good idea and that students could really benefit from the program," said Chris Lopez, a general studies major from Rome. According to Johnson, IC is being promoted in a variety of ways.

Instructors have been encouraged to place information regarding the IC program in their syllabi, as well as to explain the program to students. An IC promotional booth was set up during Club Round-Up, and another will be designed for Fall Frenzy. A website for IC at www.highlands.edu/ic has been created to inform students of the QEPs mission, objectives and definition. Interactive activities, including quizzes, are on the website, and

students may win prizes by participating.