SACS Facts - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Dec 8, 2004

SACS Facts

Date: Dec 8, 2004

That must've been the "big news" from yesterday's final plenary session at SACS, the one where they read off all the actions taken by the Committee on Criteria & Reports (or whatever they're calling it now).

The Auburn morass has been going on for at least three years now... Glad to see they've gotten out from under it.

An important thing to consider for those who are looking for parallels: Auburn has its own separate board of trustees. It's problems didn't affect the other Alabama universities. Should USM's "situation" trigger a similar response from SACS, the

would splatter on every other institution governed by IHL. And the cost to Mississippi taxpayers simply to write the follow-ups, implement the remedies, etc., would be monumental.

On the other hand, a serious SACS sanction involving governance in Mississippi might be the only thing that would initiate a meaningful change in the way things are done. <SIGH>

Date: Dec 8, 2004

Today's Top Headlines

LC put on probation by accreditation agency
Louisiana College was put on probation by its accreditation agency Tuesday.

The yearlong probation status is more serious than an official warning, but not as drastic as complete denial of accreditation. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools made the decision at its 2004 Annual Meeting in Atlanta, citing LC for issues of governance and academic freedom.

From the Alexandria, Louisiana newspaper - www.thetowntalk.com This SACS action appears to be more closely related to USM's problems than even the Auburn action.

Date: Dec 8, 2004

What's the typical procedure for getting a censure or other penalty from SACS? I don't know much about the process, but would like to hear from others (Invictus!) who do.

Date: Dec 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"What's the typical procedure for getting a censure or other penalty from SACS? I don't know much about the process, but would like to hear from others (Invictus!) who do."

Read the Louisiana College post above. It will provide some insight into the question you ask.

Date: Dec 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: sacsRus
"Read the Louisiana College post above. It will provide some insight into the question you ask."

Didn't someone from USM move to Louisiana College in some administative capacity a few years ago? Peggy Prenshaw? Is she still there? Would her insights be helpful?

Date: Dec 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Deja Vu
"Didn't someone from USM move to Louisiana College in some administative capacity a few years ago? Peggy Prenshaw? Is she still there? Would her insights be helpful?"

I thought Peggy was at LSU. FYI, Peggy was the former dean of USM's Honors College prior to 1990 or 91, I believe. A fine professor, scholar, administrator and all-around wonderful person!

Date: Dec 8, 2004

Charlotte Tullos moved from USM to LC during my time at USM. She has since moved out west. Any truth to rumor of SACs probation for USM I started hearing past couple of days?

Date: Dec 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"I thought Peggy was at LSU. FYI, Peggy was the former dean of USM's Honors College prior to 1990 or 91, I believe. A fine professor, scholar, administrator and all-around wonderful person!"

A google search confirms that you are right - Prenshaw seems to be at LSU, not LC. It must have been Charlotte Tullos rather than Peggy Prenshaw I recalled. Confused me. Sorry. But give me an A for effort please.

Date: Dec 8, 2004

I would be very surprised if USM didn't receive some sort of serious sanction from either SACS or AAUP. I can't imagine even a favorable NCATE ruling if university governance is an issue. Maybe bad news from all three accrediting bodies. We might be the first university to get the triple crown!

Date: Dec 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: triple crown
"I would be very surprised if USM didn't receive some sort of serious sanction from either SACS or AAUP. I can't imagine even a favorable NCATE ruling if university governance is an issue. Maybe bad news from all three accrediting bodies. We might be the first university to get the triple crown! "

If USM got the TRIPLE CROWN would the IHL get out the CROWN ROYAL?

Date: Dec 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Gone Never to Return
Any truth to rumor of SACs probation for USM I started hearing past couple of days? "

I heard it was announced at the end of the session on Tuesday. What does this mean? How can we be put on probation when we haven't had a review yet?

Date: Dec 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"What's the typical procedure for getting a censure or other penalty from SACS? I don't know much about the process, but would like to hear from others (Invictus!) who do."

sacsRus is correct -- Read the article for some insight. I will note, however, that aside from notifying state agencies & publishing the sanction in its Proceedings, SACS generally doesn't issue press releases. What you read is what the institution chose to release. I will also note, since it's mentioned in the article, that Falwell's Liberty University was once found in noncompliance with every requirement in the old SACS Criteria -- basically they didn't bother to file a self-study report one cycle! (With no slam intended, religious private colleges tend to get placed on probation for governance issues more often than publics.)

The process is outlined in the SACS Policy Statement on Sanctions, Denial of Reaffirmation & Removal from Membership

After a self-study, most institutions receive some recommendations after SACS' evaluators review the self-study. Under the SACS system, these may involve Core Requirements (serious stuff) or Comprehensive Standards (less serious stuff). These are outlined in the Principles of Accreditation. Governance issues are generally covered by Core Requirements.

I'd like to note that a lot of Auburn's problem stemmed from the fact that they chose to side-step the SACS appeals process & take the issue into the courts. The courts refused to hear it & SACS came down on Auburn with a 9-pound sledge. (This is the only time I recall seeing a letter sent by the Executive Director of SACS to all member institutions regarding an accreditation issue at another member institution.)

Date: Dec 8, 2004

Sorry for my underlining faux pas. Here's the link to the Principles of Accreditation.

Date: Dec 8, 2004

And the SACS Policy Statement on Sanctions, Denial of Reaffirmation & Removal from Membership.

Date: Dec 8, 2004

This sentence from the Alexandria Town Talk article might be applicable to USM's situation with the IHL: "History Professor Bill Simpson . . . hopes the sanction will prompt Louisiana Baptists to nominate trustees who are sensitive to the needs of an institution of higher education." Mississippi desparately needs trustees (IHL board members) who are sensitive to the needs of an institution of higher education. If things continue to erode maybe we will get them! The taxpayers of Mississippi should demand nothing less.

Date: Dec 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Magnolic
"I heard it was announced at the end of the session on Tuesday. What does this mean? How can we be put on probation when we haven't had a review yet?"

I just spoke with a colleague who was at the meeting. USM was placed on "Probation with Just Cause." My colleague may have mis-heard "Good Cause." No further details.
SACS' website won't be updated until next week.

Date: Dec 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
" I just spoke with a colleague who was at the meeting. USM was placed on "Probation with Just Cause." My colleague may have mis-heard "Good Cause." No further details. SACS' website won't be updated until next week."

If what Invictus heard about USM being placed on SACS probation (and his ears seldom fail) then hold up naming those seven streets on the USM campus. Two of those streets should be named Stringer Boulevard and Glamser Drive.