ASU, Tuskegee placed on warning by SACS

Alabama State University and Tuskegee University are on warning.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which accredits the degree programs at both universities and numerous colleges around the Southeast, extended ASU's warning for a second time — this time for a full year —and placed Tuskegee on a 12-month warning period as well.

Warning status, while a "serious public sanction," leaves a university's accreditation in place but notes that a review found "significant non-compliance with the core requirements" of SACS.

"ASU's accreditation remains intact," a statement issued by ASU's media relations department read. "(ASU) continues to work diligently and earnestly to comply with the principles of accreditation required by (SACS), which allows (ASU) to best serve its students. The University is deeply committed to its ongoing efforts to develop and employ workable solutions to address those issues identified by (SACS)."

After the warning period expires, SACS can return ASU to good standing or place it on probation.

In Tuskegee's case, because this is its first warning, SACS has the option of extending the warning period for another 12-month term.

Jeremy Alphord, TU's senior director of communications, said university officials have not yet received the details of its warning and would issue additional comments once that letter was reviewed.

In the meantime, Tuskegee President Brian L. Johnson issued a statement earlier this week stating the university would "work diligently to ensure compliance and address (SACS') areas of concern."

SACS posted a notifications on its website outlining general areas where the association's board found issues that led to the warning against TU. There were eight violations of compliance standards, including a violation of federal requirement 4.1 which deals with student achievement. That violation indicates Tuskegee students failed to demonstrate a reasonable achievement of university goals.

In addition, SACS cited TU for failing to meet standard 3.3.1.1, which requires the university to set acceptable student achievement standards and then meet those standards.

There was also a problem with standard 3.4.11, which requires that degree programs be coordinated by persons academically qualified in that field of study. SACS also cited Tuskegee for financial issues and failing to conduct required financial aid audits.

For ASU, the problems are familiar.

SACS again took issue with ASU's financial status, citing it for four compliance issues — all related to financial matters. ASU didn't meet compliance standards for financial stability, control of finances, control of sponsored or external research programs and Title IV (financial aid) program responsibilities.

In its disclosure statement explaining the extended warning period, the association said it did not believe ASU had "demonstrated financial stability."

While ASU President Gwendolyn Boyd expressed optimism at an ASU board of trustees meeting last month that the warning status would be lifted, its continuation likely was not a surprise. ASU has experienced severe financial issues since a forensic investigation began in November 2012.

Since that investigation began, the university has had three credit downgrades, a drop in student enrollment and the SACS issues. To date, the investigation, which is being conducted by the Alabama Attorney General's Office, is still ongoing. There have been no indictments or criminal charges.