I found out some things I had not known before so I thought it was worth posting.

Commission on Colleges
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
http://www.sacscoc.org
Questions Regarding the Status of
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Issued December 17, 2004, by the Commission on Colleges
The following publicly available information is provided by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools, Inc., concerning the accreditation of The University of Southern
Mississippi. Information provided below is in accord with the Commission’s disclosure policy; staff of the
Commission cannot comment further on questions specifically related to The University of Southern
Mississippi.
The Commission on Colleges’ action on The University of Southern Mississippi took place on December 6,
2004, my birthday, go figure and the institution’s next review will be December 2005.
What is the accreditation status of The University of Southern Mississippi?
The University of Southern
Mississippi is accredited by the Commission on Colleges and on Probation for twelve months. Prior to the
institution’s next review in December 2005 by the Commission, a Special Committee will conduct an on-site
evaluation of its compliance with the Principles of Accreditation. The Commission’s accreditation includes all
components of the institution—all programs, branch campuses, off-campus sites, and distance learning
programs as reported to the Commission; thus, the Probation status applies to the entire institution.
What does Probation for good cause mean?
When an institution has exhausted its two-year monitoring
period for complying with the Principles of Accreditation of the Commission on Colleges, instead of removing
the institution’s accreditation, the Commission can extend accreditation for good cause and place the institution
on Probation if (1) the institution has demonstrated significant recent accomplishments in addressing noncompliance,
and (2) the institution has provided evidence which makes it reasonable for the Commission to
assume it will remedy all deficiencies within the twelve month period, and (3) the institution has provided
assurance to the Commission that it is not aware of any other reasons, other than those identified by the
Commission, why the institution cannot be continued for good cause. An institution must be placed on
Probation when it is continued in membership for good cause beyond the maximum two-year monitoring
period. The maximum consecutive time that an institution may be on Probation is two years. For additional
information about sanctions, see page two of the Commission’s policy entitled “Sanctions, Denial of
Reaffirmation, and Removal from Membership” (http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/Sanction.pdf ).
Why was The University of Southern Mississippi placed on Probation for good cause?
The University of
Southern Mississippi was placed on Probation for good cause because the Commission determined that it
failed to demonstrate compliance with Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1 , Institutional Effectiveness, of the
Principles of Accreditation—the accreditation standards of the Commission. (To read the full statement for the
standard cited above, access the Principles of Accreditation at
http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/PrinciplesofAccreditation.PDF ). In addition, and in accordance with Commission
policy, the institution was placed on Probation because it had reached the end of its maximum allowable twoyear
monitoring period without demonstrating complete compliance with the Principles of Accreditation.
What will happen in December 2005 during the institution’s next review? The Commission will again
consider The University of Southern Mississippi’s accreditation status following review of another monitoring
report submitted by the institution addressing the area cited for non-compliance and following review of the
report of a Special Committee which will visit the institution in fall 2005. At that time, the Commission will have
the following options: (1) remove the institution from Probation with no further report requested; (2) continue the
institution on Probation for good cause and request another monitoring report; or (3) remove the institution from
membership. For additional information about Good Cause, access http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/Sanction.pdf
(page three). Commission staff will not speculate on what decision might be made by the Commission in
December 2005.
For additional information regarding the Commission’s accreditation process, access pages 3-9 of the
Principles of Accreditation (http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/PrinciplesofAccreditation.PDF).