Editing Southeastern Conference (section)

==SEC Academic Network==
In 2005, the member institutions of the Southeastern Conference formed the SEC Academic Consortium (SECAC), a collaborative endeavor designed to promote research, scholarship, and achievement amongst the universities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southeastern Conference Creates Consortium to Strengthen Academic Programs at SEC Institutions|url=http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/Portals/3/SEC%20Website/SECAC_created.pdf|publisher=SEC Digital Network|access-date=February 14, 2013}}</ref>

In 2011, the SEC Academic Consortium was relocated to the SEC headquarters in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], from its original home on the campus of the [[University of Arkansas]] in [[Fayetteville, Arkansas]], and was renamed SECU. The SECU rebranded its mission to better serve as a means through which the collaborative academic endeavors and achievements of Southeastern Conference universities would be promoted and advanced. The SECU's goals included highlighting the endeavors and achievements of SEC [[Faculty (academic staff)|faculty]], students, and its universities; advancing the academic reputation of SEC universities; identifying and preparing future leaders for high-level service in [[academia]]; increasing the amount and type of [[study abroad]] opportunities available for students; and providing opportunities for collaboration among SEC university personnel.<ref>{{cite web|title=SECU|url=http://www.secsymposium.com/secu.php|publisher=SEC|access-date=February 13, 2013|archive-date=January 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124074319/http://www.secsymposium.com/secu.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SECU: The Academic Initiative of the SEC |url=http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/AcademicConsortium |publisher=SEC Digital Network |access-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721055557/http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/AcademicConsortium |archive-date=July 21, 2012 }}</ref> The [[Big Ten Conference]], since 1958, has had a similar program, now called the [[Big Ten Academic Alliance]].

The SEC Symposium component of SECU was crafted by [[Vanderbilt University]] Chancellor [[Nicholas S. Zeppos]], who at the time was the Vice President of the SEC Executive Committee and liaison to SECU.<ref>{{cite web|title=SEC pushing academic oomph|url=http://mrsec.com/2013/01/sec-pushing-its-academic-oomph/|publisher=MrSEC.com|access-date=December 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224092436/http://mrsec.com/2013/01/sec-pushing-its-academic-oomph/|archive-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref> In an interview with Dr. Zeppos about the formation of the SECU he noted, "that the member institutions of the Southeastern Conference are committed to a shared mission of fostering research, scholarship, and achievement. The SEC Symposium represents a platform to connect, collaborate and promote a productive dialogue that will span disciplinary and institutional boundaries and allow us to work together for the betterment of society."<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr. Zeppos interview|url=http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/NEWS/tabid/473/Article/241394/secu-qa-vanderbilt-chancellor-nick-zeppos.aspx|publisher=SEC Network|access-date=December 21, 2013}}</ref>

The SEC Academic Network was created in 2009 in partnership with [[ESPN]]. The SEC Academic Network was an online library of institutionally produced videos featuring academic initiatives and stories from all Southeastern Conference institutions. The SEC Academic Network was officially merged into the SECU operation.<ref>{{cite web|title=About SECU|url=http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/Portals/3/SEC%20Website/secac_sec_fact_sheet.pdf|publisher=SEC Digital Network|access-date=September 1, 2013}}</ref>