With the first students admitted in the fall of 1962, Edison State College celebrates 50 years of service to Southwest Florida this year. The College has maintained an impeccable record of academic integrity throughout its history, as affirmed by its accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for over 40 years.   The College received approval to advance to Level II as a baccalaureate degree-granting institution in 2009.

Since its most recent reaffirmation of accreditation on-site visit in November 2011, Edison has welcomed five new members to its nine-member District Board of Trustees, replacing three members whose terms had expired and two members who had resigned.  Further, the Board terminated the employment of the College’s Vice President for Academic Affairs as well as its District President.  Florida College System Chancellor Randy Hanna assisted the Board in the selection of Interim President J. Dudley Goodlette.  An Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs had been named by the previous president.  On March 15, 2012, Dr. Watjen was hired as the Vice President of Student Services.  Prior to being hired, Dr. Watjen served as a consultant for Edison State College to review the student services structure and recommend strategies for leadership and reorganization.

Dr. Watjen in consultation with the current administration continues to analyze the current organizational structure and positions within the student services division. On April 24th, 2012, a new organizational structure for Student Affairs will be presented to the Board of Trustees as an information only agenda item.  The revised organizational plan will align Edison State College’s organizational structure with current trends and best practices in student affairs.  The new structure will change the title of the division from Student Services to Student Affairs and will include new and reclassified positions.  With the organizational changes, the changes in the reporting structure will allow the campus based individuals to directly report to the Vice President of Student Affairs while also reporting to the Campus Presidents. 

Edison State College serves a diverse five county region with campuses in Lee, Charlotte and Collier Counties, a center in Hendry County, and Edison On-Line. 

Upon receipt of the On-Site Committee’s findings, Edison State College administratiors met to discuss the scope of the 14 recommendations and develop a plan to ensure compliance.  The due diligence exercised by the On-Site Committee in interviewing both current and former administrators, conducting multiple interviews with individuals, and examining all appropriate data is duly noted and appreciated.  The depth and breadth of the findings and the issues stated in the On-Site Committee’s report resulted in a number of actions to address each recommendation. Additionally, the following personnel actions transpired:

• Dean, Professional and Technical Studies, Bill Roshon, retired on October 31, 2011.
• Associate Dean, Professional and Technical Studies, Dennette Foy resigned on November 2, 2011.
• Vice President for Instruction and Dean, Arts and Sciences, Robert Beeson was terminated for cause on November 29, 2011.
• Associate Registrar, Ray Medhurst, retired effective March 21, 2012.

Sixteen Response Teams were formed to address the SACS-COC on-site recommendations [ 1 ]. The leadership of each of the Response Teams met weekly with the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) to discuss progress.  To ensure that the actions, processes and procedures that led to the findings are thoroughly addressed, the administration solicited participation from employees at every level of the College.  Faculty, staff and administrators audited areas directly and indirectly addressed in the recommendation. For example, one Response Team reviewed all College Operating Procedures [ 2 ] for accuracy and adherence. As a result of the actions taken by the institution, we are confident the College is taking the appropriate steps to document full compliance. 

The Interim District President, Mr. J. Dudley Goodlette, has placed compliance and SACS-COC related areas as a top priority in all discussions, including those related to finances.  All fiscal decisions being made at the college Center on remedying the non- compliance issues. While the interim president has been judicious with the College’s finances, he has provided all necessary resources to address the recommendations of the SACS-COC On-Site Recommendation Committee.  Financial support has been secured for the services of the following consultants: 

• Dr. Adeniji Odutola, for ethical training; Dr. Odutola established the National Center for Teacher Transformation at St. Petersburg College (SPC) in 2003 and teaches courses in ethics and educational policy at SPC.  Prior to assuming the role at SPC, he worked at the Florida Department of Education for 15 years as a Policy Analyst and as the Executive Director of the Standards Commission for the State of Florida [ 3 ].

• Dr. Tom Furlong, as a SACS-COC Consultant; Dr. Furlong has served in a number of leadership capacities at the State and institutional level [ 4 ].  He has guided similar institutions through the SACS-COC reaffirmation and Level change processes and brings a wealth of knowledge at the Division of Florida College level.
  
  
• Dr. Russell Watjen, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), for support in the area of Student Services; from 1985-2011, Dr. Watjen held vice presidential positions in student affairs in a variety of settings.  In February 2012, Dr. Watjen served as a consultant for ESC to review the student services structure and recommend strategies for leadership. In addition, Dr. Watjen has been hired to serve as Vice President of Student Affairs. 
  
  
  

Supporting Documentation	Description
[1] Response Teams	SACS Response Teams Committee Membership
[2] College Operating Procedures	Summary and Cross-Reference of College Operating Procedures
[3] Odutola Curriculum Vitae	Dr. Adeniji Odutola
[4] Furlong Curriculum Vitae	Dr. Thomas Furlong, Jr.