SACS reaffirms accreditation, approves university to offer doctorates
Janel Shoun |
“I am pleased to announce that our accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, has reaffirmed Lipscomb’s accreditation,” Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry announced to the campus community on Tuesday. “We were informed this morning that the University was reaffirmed with no recommendations, meaning there are no outstanding issues remaining to be addressed. A clean bill of health is a remarkable achievement in today’s higher education environment.
In addition, SACS has advanced the university’s accreditation from Level III to Level V, allowing Lipscomb to now offer doctoral programs.
“Regional accreditation is not easily won or affirmed,” Lowry said. “These achievements are a direct result of our hard work and a reflection of our effectiveness in preparing our graduates for lives of faith, exceptional leadership and service.”
The SACS reaffirmation process occurs every 10 years, according to Randy Bouldin, associate provost of graduate studies and one of two coordinators of Lipscomb accreditation compliance team.
In November 2006, the university submitted documents and reports on a wide range of accreditation issues including library holdings, faculty credentials, financial stability, integrity of academic curriculum and assessment of student. SACS replied to Lipscomb’s report at the end of 2006 and outlined issues to be addresses at a spring site visit.
In April 2007, the SACS accreditation team was on campus for several days addressing follow-up issues and studying Lipscomb’s Quality Enhancement Plan, a service-learning program called SALT which will become required for graduation in fall 2008, Bouldin said.
Lipscomb’s SACS Reaffirmation Leadership Team included:
- Elaine Griffin, associate provost for institutional effectiveness;
- Randy Bouldin, associate provost for graduate studies, co-leader;
- Craig Bledsoe, provost;
- Steve Prewitt, associate provost for academic affairs; and
- Danny Taylor, senior vice president of finance and administration.