Possible impacts of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) criterion, Section III, Institutional Effectiveness, are considered. The way that one state university is approaching the new SACS' expectation on institutional effectiveness is examined. Attention is directed to: an effectiveness process model developed by a self-study committee; a matrix of effectiveness-related "must" statements underlying the criteria; and the involvement of an office of institutional research. The material is being tested by an ongoing self-study activity that includes 150 internal committee members and all organizational units. SACS developed the new "criteria" in December 1984 to replace its old "standards." The effectiveness criterion emphasizes the need for planning and evaluation procedures and for defining goals and assessment of the achievement of goals. The criterion does not require a written unified plan, a planning officer, or an office of institutional research/planning. Colleges have an opportunity to use their own creativity in responding to the accrediting group. If a college is to be reaccredited, the SACS' visitation team must answer affirmatively the group of effectiveness-related statements. Included is a matrix that provides an internal score card for self-analysis of the entire university. (SW)