The University has officially been removed from the “warning” list for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, University President Teresa Sullivan announced in an email Tuesday afternoon. The decision was announced at the organization’s annual meeting in Atlanta Tuesday morning.
“The University community should be pleased with the outcome of the commission’s thorough review,” Sullivan said in the email. “While the warning designation did not question the quality of our academic programs or affect our ability to receive financial aid, unblemished accreditation remains an important stamp of approval on the integrity of the institution.”
University accreditation is essential to maintain access to various forms of federal financial aid, transfer of credit to other higher education institutions, and recognition of college degrees. For faculty, accreditation status also determines access to most research funding.
SACS placed the University on a one-year accreditation warning last December in response to Sullivan’s forced resignation and subsequent reinstatement in June 2012. The agency said the University failed to comply with SACS’ core requirements concerning governing board procedures and faculty role in governance.
In response to being placed on warning, the University added the requirement of an open board meeting to discuss a University president’s contract, as well as a requirement for a non-voting member to be present at Board of Visitors committee meetings if a faculty member is not already present in that committee.
The University is not releasing further comment on the matter at this time.