February 2009 Cosponsored by ACE/NCCI

1. NCCI Leveraging Excellence:The SECAC StoryKumble R. SubbaswamyProvost, University of Kentucky(Chair, SECAC Board) February 2009 Cosponsored by ACE/NCCI

3. SECAC—What is it? • SECAC—Southeastern Conference Academic Consortium. • The SECAC is a consortium of the 12 universities of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). It is a 501c(3) Non-Profit Corporation. • Patterned after the Committee for Institutional Cooperation (Big 10 + U. Chicago)

4. SECAC Members • University of Alabama • University of Arkansas • Auburn University • University of Florida • University of Georgia • University of Kentucky • University of Mississippi • Mississippi State University • University of South Carolina • University of Tennessee • Vanderbilt University

5. SECAC History • October 2003— SEC Chancellors/Presidents charge the SEC Provosts with creation of an academic consortium. [Premise: Help achieve more than what institutions can do individually.] • 2005— SECAC is incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. • October 1, 2007— SECAC occupies newly renovated building on the University of Alabama campus. • June 2007— Strategic Plan developed with the assistance of Maury Cotter.

6. SECAC Governance • Guided by the Board of Directors consisting of the 12 Provosts, or Chief Financial Officers, at each university. • The Chair • Provost for the university whose President or Chancellor is serving as SEC President. • Serves a two year term. • Executive Committee—Past Chair, Present Chair, and Chair Elect

7. SECAC Membership • Membership is voluntary, limited to the 12 universities of the SEC. • Supported through annual fees. • Members may elect not to participate in every SECAC initiative or program. • All members will endeavor to preserve and promote goodwill, share information, and be open and forthcoming in regards to possible initiatives.

8. SECAC Assets Member universities enroll 227,000 undergraduate and 60,000 graduate students. produced 3,302 doctoral degrees in 2006. engage in ~$2.6 billion of sponsored research. hold ~36 million volumes in their libraries. partner closely with Oak Ridge National Labs., National High Magnetic Field Lab., etc.

9. SECAC Mission/Vision Mission: “To advance academic excellence and distinction through collaboration of Southeastern Conference universities.” Vision: “To become a global model for effective academic partnering among research universities.”

10. SECAC Roles • Help coordinate academic efforts that bolster teaching, research, public service, and other educational activities. • Provide an opportunity for SEC universities to work together to enhance and share academic resources through courses, library exchanges, research tools, and facility use. • Facilitate sharing of information and best practices.

11. Current SECAC Initiatives • Academic Leadership Development (aimed at preparing associate deans and deans) • Internationalization (Study Abroad joint ventures) • Diversity • Libraries (Digital Repository being explored)

12. Sample Activities • Education Abroad Committee • Annual meetings for past four years • Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) Foundation grant to Belfast Spring 2009 & Spring 2010 • Academic Leadership Committee • Academic Leadership and Development Program (ALDP) began Fall 2008 • SEC Admissions Fair • Spring 2009 in Chicago, IL and Columbus, OH

13. Affiliates • SECAC Groups • Deans of Design Schools • Deans of Engineering • Deans of Education • Admissions Directors • Institutional Leadership Effectiveness • SECAC Committees • Internationalization

14. Obstacles Geography: Florida to Arkansas covers a lot of ground; physical meetings cost time and money. Differences in Public/Private Operations: Limits what information can be shared. State regulations can also limit collaboration. Leadership Turnover: Provosts’ tenure appears to be shorter than that of basketball coaches!