SACS Site Review

February 9, 2006

Dear Colleagues, 

This has been an important week in the history of our institution and I thank everyone who met the individuals and groups who met with the Site Review Team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  You were effective advocates for our campus and spoke to our 40 year history as well as the accomplishments of recent years.  I also thank the many individuals who prepared the applications and responses to questions; the work was exemplary and created an extensive portfolio of information for the team.  I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge and thank Regional Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Mark Durand for his leadership and stewardship of the process. 

This morning the SACS Site Review Team congratulated our university on the significant progress made toward autonomy in a relatively short amount of time. The team’s thorough evaluation of our application, documentation and site visit, revealed the complexities we have faced, and the extensive operational changes made since President Genshaft delegated academic authority to us.

SACS Site Review Team Chairman Sandra Harper framed their recommendations as a road map to clarify our next actions. Though her remarks were preliminary to a written report, I believe the items that may require follow up were clustered into two categories: longitudinal assessment of our programs and services and those formalities that we must complete to achieve full recognition our autonomy within the USF System.

The Site Review Team recognized the quality of what we have in place, and was particularly impressed with the credentials of our faculty. Members also noted the broad-spread support of the Board of Trustees, Campus Board, students, faculty and staff in our pursuit of separate accreditation.

President Genshaft was with us this morning at the exit interview and commented that the Site Review Team offered excellent suggestions for further definition of our autonomy.  She also praised all the members of our campus team who prepared the application, initial responses and those who participated in the campus process. 

We will receive a formal report in a few weeks and our responses will be sent to the Commission on Colleges that will vote in June.  I remain confident that our efforts will be rewarded.   

Karen A. White