The process of becoming an accredited SigEp Learning Community starts with a successful application, put together by the chapter in collaboration with their faculty fellow, Greek advisor and Alumni and Volunteer Corporation.
Successful applications for accreditation include:
• A minimum GPA requirement for new members, at or above 2.75.
• A chapter GPA consistently above 3.0 or the all-campus average.
• Regular and dedicated faculty fellow engagement with the chapter.
• Dedicated academic space in the chapter facility that is substance-free at all times.
• Dedicated and regularly-used academic space somewhere else on campus, for chapters that are un-housed.
• A committed and engaged AVC that can serve as a network of support for the SigEp Learning Community.
• A healthy and sustainable partnership with the host institution.
• A continuous development program that supports and challenges all members throughout their time in school.
• Letters of recommendation from the Greek advisor and faculty fellow.
Accreditation Process
The SigEp Learning Community accreditation process is collaborative, and usually occurs in the following manner:
1) A chapter submits an application to the SigEp Learning Community Committee, a group of volunteers and higher education professionals. The SigEp Learning Community Committee is appointed by the National Board of Directors to ensure the growth of the program and the consistency of learning community chapter performance.
2) The SigEp Learning Community Committee reviews the application and submits a formal recommendation within approximately 2-4 weeks.
3) The Task Force returns one of four recommendations on the application: 1) Accreditation, (2) Conditional Accreditation, (3) Delayed Accreditation, or (4) Not Accredited. Often times chapters are not accredited the first time they submit an application. But this should not discourage chapters from applying, as the task force always offers constructive feedback and a set of benchmarks for the chapter to strive toward as they continue to seek accreditation.
4) Chapters that are not accredited as a result of their first application continue to work with the SigEp Learning Community Committee to incorporate feedback and reach agreed-upon benchmarks. After benchmarks are achieved, the chapter is accredited as a SigEp Learning Community, usually the following semester or next academic year.
For more information about the SigEp Learning Community accreditation process, please contact us at learning.communities@sigep.net.
