Accrediting agency lifts probation from Southern University

Accrediting agency lifts probation from Southern University

BATON ROUGE, La. - "This is welcome news for our university," Southern University Chancellor Dr. James L. Llorens said today after receiving word that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools had lifted its probation status from the Baton Rouge campus.

SACS is the accrediting body for institutions of higher education across the south. The SACS Commission voted Thursday to remove Southern from probationary status and informed the University that no further reports would be required.

"I knew that after SACS' last visit in April that the University was complying with the outcome assessment standard but that we had not done a good job of documenting it," said Llorens, completing his second year as head of the Southern University System's largest campus."

"The effort that went into providing the documentation necessary to support the University's ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes involved many late evening and weekends by committed people," Llorens said. "Many of them were handling two and three tasks unrelated to the SACS issues. Their sacrifice is greatly appreciated. Now we continue, as we have always done, to provide a world class education for our students."

SU System President Dr. Ronald Mason Jr., said, "The SACS action affirms the great effort and commitment the campus put forth to demonstrate the quality programs and creative and progressive approaches to student learning at Southern University Baton Rouge."

Also on Thursday, SACS released Southern University at Shreveport from its warning status.

SACS placed SUBR on probationary status in December, citing the University for being unable to provide complete documentation of student performance outcomes.

That finding was part of SACS assessment process that began in 2010 when the university received its accreditation. However, SACS asked for additional information and documentation. The University's initial response in 2011 was not accepted.

"There were still some areas that they felt we needed to provide more documentation," Llorens said.

The university submitted another report based on three of the standards that SACS reviewed and the committee accepted two of the standards but needed more documentation on the final standard that focused on measuring student outcomes. Since this was the second report submitted, by rule, SUBR had to be placed on probation until the approval of a follow-up report.

SACS gave Southern a six-month period to provide the required documentation.

The campus administration along with staff, faculty and an outside consultant compiled the documentation that was delivered to SACS earlier this year.

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