Statement of Integrity and Commitment

The University Of Central Florida is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. UCF, a Level VI doctoral institution, has conducted a thorough review of its programs and operations to determine its compliance with the Principles of Accreditation. The university fully supports the principles and philosophy of accreditation embodied in the Principles, accepts the responsibility to adhere to all policies and procedures outlined by the Commission on Colleges, and fully commits to fulfilling these responsibilities with integrity, honesty, and open accountability.

The University of Central Florida was first accredited in 1970 and has since been reaffirmed by the Commission on Colleges. UCF does not include units that are separately accredited by the Commission on Colleges. In support of its commitment to the principles and philosophy of the Commission on Colleges, UCF has maintained an active role in SACS-COC activities over the years. In seeking reaffirmation of accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, UCF reaffirms its commitment to the principles of integrity and quality enhancement. The strength of UCF’s commitment to the peer review process is indicated not only in faculty participation on various SACS committees, but also by the service of John C. Hitt, the university’s president, on the Commission. He has provided the leadership and support necessary to transform UCF into an institution that effectively uses student learning data to enhance organizational self-reflection and a culture that encourages the demonstration of improvements to educational programs and services.

The preparation of the evidence of compliance with the core requirements and comprehensive standards required an extensive review of the university's programs and operations. This comprehensive compliance audit involved senior level managers with significant staff support to examine current practices and correct them when necessary. When appropriate, new processes were developed and in other cases, existing processes were improved to ensure full compliance with the Principles. The Compliance Certification that has been signed by the UCF president and the UCF accreditation liaison attests to compliance with the accreditation requirements of the Commission on Colleges, that the process of institutional self-assessment has been thorough, honest, and forthright, and that the information contained in the document is truthful, accurate, and complete. UCF invites a careful examination of its operations and programs, and freely provides access to complete and accurate information regarding the operation and governance of the university. The university's vision—to be the nation's leading metropolitan research university—requires a strong and pervasive commitment to continuous improvement. One of the university’s strategic initiatives is focused on operational excellence. The university community constantly asks the question: "How can we improve everything that we do?" Quality at UCF is enhanced through numerous innovative initiatives that are focused on increasing student learning. These initiatives include curricular enrichment, expansion of extracurricular activities, as well as improvements in the delivery of support services. This commitment to quality enhancement is supported through the university's comprehensive assessment system, which focuses on continuous improvement in all facets of the institution.

The evidence provided in this Compliance Certification Document demonstrates UCF's commitment to providing excellence to its students, high-quality scholarship, and meaningful service. UCF’s values are succinctly embodied in the UCF Creed, which is distributed to students, staff members, and faculty members.

The UCF Creed

• Integrity: I will practice and defend academic and personal honesty.
• Scholarship: I will cherish and honor learning as a fundamental purpose of my membership in the UCF community.
• Community: I will promote an open and supportive campus environment by respecting the rights and contributions of every individual.
• Creativity: I will use my talents to enrich the human experience.
• Excellence: I will strive toward the highest standards of performance in any endeavor I undertake.