2 February 2005

Provost Jay Grimes

Box 5002

Dear Provost Grimes,

We have been directed by Academic Council to write in protest of the recent actions that have resulted in new/modified degree programs, moved majors, and renaming of departments and colleges without going through the process outlined in our policy published online in Guidelines and Policies (for both Academic and Graduate councils).  These violations, Academic Council believes, are serious enough to warrant this letter as they may threaten our accreditation status.  Recent examples include:

Ø      College of Business and Economic Development renamed College of Business

Ø      The split of the Department of Economic Development into two units

Ø      The movement of each of the two units formerly Department of Economic Development into the College of Science and Technology and College of Arts and Letters.

Ø      The merger of International Development (formerly in Economic Development) into Political Science.

Ø      The renaming of the Department of Political Science

Ø      The renaming of the Department of Economic Development to Department of Economic and Workforce Development.

We want to remind you that all of these actions should have been considered by the college curriculum committees in the College of Science and Technology, the College of Business, and the College of Arts and Letters.  Each of these actions should have been considered by Academic Council (and also Graduate Council since these examples include graduate programs).  This is especially critical given the explicit requirements for SACS accreditation. 

It is important to maintain compliance with established university governance policies and procedures regarding these modifications, and our deepest concerns are that these actions may be deemed to show that we are not in compliance with accreditation requirements.  For your convenience, the Council refers you to sections 3.4.1 and 3.4.12 as stated in The Principles of Accreditation:  Foundations for Quality Enhancement, published by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/PrinciplesOfAccreditation.PDF.

We urge you to remind the deans and other members of the administration to adhere to these policies.  This is an extremely serious matter that can threaten our accreditation unless we follow our policies and procedures.

Sincerely,

Amy L. Young, Chair                                                   Jeff Evans, Chair Elect

Academic Council                                                        Academic Council

cc:        Dr. David Beckett, President, Faculty Senate

            Dr. William Powell, President-elect, Faculty Senate

            Dr. Robert Bateman, Chair, Council of Chairs

            Dr. Ed Mann, Chair, Graduate Council