UK / CC ISSUES

STUDENTS' T.A.L.K. GROUP FORMED

by Cristi Brigmon

	Students T.A.L.K. (Tactical Action
League of Kentucky) is a new organization at
Southeast Community College, founded by Terry
Day, an angered student.

	Day said that Students T.A.L.K. was
an inspiration to attack Governor Patton's plan
to separate the University of Kentucky from its
community colleges.  Day says he was astonished
to discover that so many students were unaware
of Governor Patton's proposal until it had
reached such a heated point. 

	In theory, Day wants representatives
from all campuses in the University of Kentucky
Community College System to develop chapters of
this new organization, but the feedback has been
minimal to this point.

	Day said, “Some students want to
stand back and complain instead of participating
in Students T.A.L.K.  If students desire to halt
the plan for separation, they should willingly
participate in this worthy organization.”

	According to Day, Students T.A.L.K.
should become a permanent group at SECC.  Even
after the current situation is resolved, there
will be numerous episodes in the future which
will require students' input.

	If any students are interested in
becoming an active member, contact Terry Day. 
If you cannot find Day on campus, you may leave
messages for him with faculty member Carlton W.
Hughes.  

by Cristi Brigmon

	Governor Patton's recent proposal to
separate the University of Kentucky from its
community colleges has provoked thought from
students and faculty concerning accreditation.

	According to Dr. Bruce Ayers,
presently, Southeast Community College is
accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC)
of the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools (SACS).  SECC reaffirmed accreditation
in 1991 for a period of ten years; to receive
accreditation, a team of community college
representatives reviewed the institution.

	Ayers said that, under new
requirements, the Commission must approve
certain substantive changes prior to
implementation due to federal regulations
concerning financial aid awards by member
institutions.  Certain substantive changes
require committee visits within six months of
the change.

	Ayers said that one of the
substantive changes that requires prior approval
is "changing governance, ownership or control."

	The Commission must be contacted six
months in advance before initiating change. 
Another switch that requires the COC to be
notified six months prior is "initiating a
merger/consolidation;" in addition, a visit from
the team is required.

	Therefore, it would appear from the
regulations that the community colleges would be
required to seek COC approval before plans for a
governance change are moved forward.

	"If a governance change does not
take place, I have every confidence that during
the review period we would keep our
accreditation, but the steps in the process must
be followed. Nothing about accreditation is
automatic, especially now that the federal
government is involved to the extent that the
are," said Ayers.

	The relationship to the University
of Kentucky and the accreditation of SECC is
only dependent on being under the governance
structure of the UK Board of Trustees, which
means the college could seemingly be under a
different governance structure and be fully
accredited with prior approval of the COC,
according to Ayers.