The Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has placed Tuskegee University and Virginia State University on accreditation warning status, citing the schools for falling below standards of institutional compliance in financial aid oversight, academic program maintenance, and policy compliance.
The sanction is a rarity for Tuskegee, which initially received full accreditation in 1933 and was last reaffirmed without sanction in 2008. According to university officials, the 12-month sanction stems from the reporting period of 2008-13, with reports and follow-up documentation on compliance submitted in spring 2014.
In a letter posted to the university’s website, Tuskegee President Brian Johnson said that the status change would be rectified in swift order.
“While this warning is based on the fifth year report and prior audit, rest assured we will be working diligently to ensure compliance,” Dr. Johnson wrote. “The SACSCOC Board of Trustees will review the institution again in 2016.”
Virginia State, which has experienced leadership turnover, falling enrollment and crime issues over the course of the last two years, also told community members that its status as an aid-granting, research institution remains unchanged.
“While the university is on Warning, I want to assure our constituents that this action does not affect VSU’s accreditation and does not have a negative impact on the quality of our educational programs,” said Pamela V. Hammond, Interim President. “Further, this action has no impact on our participation in federal financial aid programs or VSU’s ability to compete for sponsored research funding.”
Other highlights from the June SACSCOC meeting included reaffirmation of full accreditation for Edward Waters College and Jarvis Christian College, and initial accreditation for the Southern University Law Center.
Alabama State University and Allen University remained on warning status, while Paine College and South Carolina State University remain on probation for 12 months.
