Under the Lens -SC State Prepares for SACS Review
A Collegian Staff Report
Issue date: 1/26/09 Section: News
SC State University is preparing to meet the challenge issued by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) which issued the institution a warning on Dec 18, after it determined that SC State failed to comply with some of the commission's core requirements.
The 12 month warning comes in the wake of on-going budget cuts which have resulted in the removal of a large number of part-time employees, the implementation of furloughs (mandatory un-paid leave for all employees,) and increased class sizes resulting in an increased work-load for many SC State employees.
If SC State fails to meet the SACS requirements, the University faces the threat of probation, removal of accreditation or an extension of its warning period.
The warning was issued after a special committee assigned to SC State determined that the Board of Trustees (BOT) was not giving the university president and faculty enough room to run the institution, its intercollegiate athletics, and fund raising.
It also says that the institution must show evidence that the BOT is not controlled by a minority of board members. SC State released the following statement in response to the SACS action:
"The University and its governing body are greatly concerned by this action; however, the public warning issued by SACS does not impact the University's current accreditation status."
In its response, the University also said it pledges its full commitment to take appropriate actions to fully address all cited issues.
The activities of SC State's BOT, came into question after the widely publicized firing of President Andrew Huginie Jr, in 2007.
Hugine is now suing the university as well as current and former board members for defamation and conspiracy.
Professors and administrators have been issuing flyers with the various colleges' and schools' mission statements, meeting with students, and preparing reports to ensure the activities of the institution are brought into compliance.
The 12 month warning comes in the wake of on-going budget cuts which have resulted in the removal of a large number of part-time employees, the implementation of furloughs (mandatory un-paid leave for all employees,) and increased class sizes resulting in an increased work-load for many SC State employees.
If SC State fails to meet the SACS requirements, the University faces the threat of probation, removal of accreditation or an extension of its warning period.
The warning was issued after a special committee assigned to SC State determined that the Board of Trustees (BOT) was not giving the university president and faculty enough room to run the institution, its intercollegiate athletics, and fund raising.
It also says that the institution must show evidence that the BOT is not controlled by a minority of board members. SC State released the following statement in response to the SACS action:
"The University and its governing body are greatly concerned by this action; however, the public warning issued by SACS does not impact the University's current accreditation status."
In its response, the University also said it pledges its full commitment to take appropriate actions to fully address all cited issues.
The activities of SC State's BOT, came into question after the widely publicized firing of President Andrew Huginie Jr, in 2007.
Hugine is now suing the university as well as current and former board members for defamation and conspiracy.
Professors and administrators have been issuing flyers with the various colleges' and schools' mission statements, meeting with students, and preparing reports to ensure the activities of the institution are brought into compliance.
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