UAB community,
Every ten years, as part of UAB's ongoing reaffirmation of accreditation, the university develops a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). This plan is an integral component of the accreditation process and is derived from our ongoing comprehensive planning and evaluation efforts. It also reflects and affirms our commitment to enhancing overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an area that we as an institution consider important to improving student learning outcomes and student success.
After careful review and reflection on what UAB is and what it can become, Provost Benoit and I have selected "The City Is Our Classroom" as the university's next QEP topic.
This topic incorporates both the Education and Community Engagement pillars of the University's strategic plans Forging the Future and Forging Ahead. The plan will provide additional structure and strategic support for programs that teach students to become engaged citizens and leaders while participating in their community in meaningful and mutually beneficial ways. Implementation of the plan will involve undergraduate students in UAB's Blazer Core Curriculum, and students in all UAB schools and colleges in service learning, honors, and major courses that connect them to the community. Selecting "The City Is Our Classroom" as the next QEP topic also underscores the value we see in our place as a part of the city of Birmingham and its history, resources, and people.
In making this announcement, we wish to thank the QEP Advisory Council, the UAB Faculty Senate and UAB Staff Council, and the many faculty, staff, and students who participated in developing, refining, and providing feedback on possible QEP topics. All who participated are to be commended for engaging in a process that considered university goals and priorities, weighed opportunities for improving student outcomes and successes, and supported UAB's commitment to shared governance.
Visit the QEP webpage to learn more about the development and implementation of UAB's next QEP, "The City Is Our Classroom."
Sincerely,
Ray Watts, President
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Director: Scott L. Phillips, PhD
Vice Provost for Innovative Teaching and Academic Engagement
Associate Professor of Music Technology
LHL 446 | 1700 University Blvd | Birmingham, AL 35233
P: 205.975.8722 |
Scott Philips, PhD, was appointed QEP director in 2019. He oversaw the completion, final evaluation and development of the summary report for the 2015-2020 QEP and currently leads development of the 2025-2030 QEP. In his role as Vice Provost for Innovative Teaching and Academic Engagement he oversees units in the provost’s office that assist all of UAB’s schools and colleges in teaching effectiveness and student success.
December 2022
- QEP director participates with members of the UAB SACSCOC Executive Leadership Committee at SACSCOC conference for initial reaffirmation meetings.
Spring 2023
- QEP director charges Blazer Core Curriculum Committee as defacto QEP Advisory Council (QEPAC) for QEP topic development.
Summer 2023
- QEPAC considers possible QEP topics and discusses with campus wide constituents.
Fall 2023
- QEP topics collected, organized, and evaluated.
- Final topic selection completed.
- President and Provost announce QEP topic.
Spring-Fall 2024
- Funding and structure established and secured
- Assessment Plan developed.
- Communications Plan developed.
- QEP Advisory Council formed.
- Draft QEP proposal developed.
December 2024
- Draft QEP proposal sent to Advisory Council and external reviewers for pre-submission feedback.
February 2025
- Focused Report and QEP proposal submitted to SACSCOC.
April 2025
- SACSCOC On-Site Reaffirmation Visit.
Spring 2025
- Finalize QEP implementation plan based on comments received from SACSCOC.
August 2025
- Implement QEP.
Summer 2030
- UAB submits five-year QEP Impact Report to SACSCOC.
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What is SACSCOC?
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the regional body for the accreditation of higher education institutions in the Southern states that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. For more information, visit www.sacscoc.org.
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What is QEP?
Each institution seeking reaffirmation of Accreditation is required to develop a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The QEP is a five-year plan which addresses a well-defined topic or issue related to enhancing student learning and/or the environment supporting student learning. Developing a QEP as a part of the reaffirmation process is an opportunity for the institution to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue or issues that the institution considers important to improving student learning. At the end of five-years, SACSCOC will evaluate the results of UAB’s QEP.
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What is expected of a QEP?
Our proposal will be evaluated on five components. See SACSCOC QEP Guidelines for details.
- An Institutional Process. The institution uses an institutional process for identifying key issues emerging from institutional assessment.
- Focus of the Plan. The institution identifies a significant issue that (i) focuses on learning outcomes and/or environment supporting student learning and (ii) accomplishes the mission of the institution.
- Institutional Capability for the Initiation, Implementation, and Completion of the Plan. The institution provides evidence that it has sufficient resources to initiate, implement, sustain, and complete the QEP.
- Broad-Based Involvement of Institutional Constituencies. The institution demonstrates the involvement of its constituencies in the development and proposed implementation of the Plan.
- Assessment of the Plan. The institution identifies goals and a plan to assess the achievement of those goals.
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Who leads UAB’s QEP efforts?
UAB’s QEP efforts are lead by QEP director, Dr. Scott Phillips, with support and assistance from the QEP Advisory Council, the office of Innovative Teaching and Academic Engagement, and the office of Institutional Effectiveness and Analysis. QEP efforts are also supported by the Center for Teaching and Learning, the office of the Blazer Core Curriculum, the office of Service Learning and Undergraduate Research and other university-wide organizations focused on teaching and student success.
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When will the QEP begin?
The QEP will be implemented in the Fall of 2025.
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When will SACSCOC visit campus?
The on-site visit by the SACSCOC team will be April 2025.
What is accreditation, and why is it important?
Accreditation is recognition that is given to an institution that demonstrates it meets standards established by private educational agencies and evaluated by its peers. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “the goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.” Graduating from an accredited institution verifies the quality of the education received, increases employment opportunities, and affords students the opportunity to receive licensure, registration, or certification (in some fields of study). Also, federal student financial aid is only distributed to accredited institutions. UAB was accredited by SACSCOC in 1970 and seeks reaffirmation of accreditation in 2025.
What is SACSCOC?
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACSCOC, is the regional accrediting body for higher education institutions in the southern United States and Latin America that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees.
What is a QEP?
The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is developed by the UAB community to enhance student learning in a specific, measurable way. It is a key part of UAB’s SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation. A new QEP is implemented every ten years and is evaluated over a five-year period.
When does the next QEP begin?
The next QEP cycle will begin in the spring of 2025.