Latest news with #SACSCOC
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas proposals would open more options for college accreditation. Here's why some oppose.
In what proponents say is a 'simple cleanup' and opponents call an 'unnecessary risk,' the Texas House and Senate education committees both are considering bills to expand college accreditation options for all the state's universities. 'The moment we have all been waiting for,' House Higher Education Committee Chair Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown, said at the Tuesday hearing as the audience laughed. Accreditation is a yearslong process of peer review that ensures universities and their degrees and courses are held to certain standards of excellence and quality, and it has been part of the U.S. higher education system since the 1880s. Institutions need accreditation to qualify for federal financial aid and research grants, and they must get recertified every eight to 10 years. Because of changes in 2019 under the first Trump administration, led by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos, the federal government now gives institutions a choice over accreditors, which were typically only available regionally, but Texas law hasn't kept up. More recently, Republican lawmakers have accused the accreditation process of perpetuating progressive values and have called for drastic reform. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Republican President Donald Trump said accrediting agencies were his 'secret weapon' in reforming universities away from 'indoctrinating America's youth,' and promised to fire left-leaning accreditors. In Texas, state Rep. Joanne Shofner, R-Nacogdoches, filed House Bill 1705, and Sen. Kevin Sparks, R-Midland, filed a companion bill, Senate Bill 530, as a quick fix to eliminate the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as the sole accreditor and allow universities to choose any accreditors from an approved list drawn up by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. "There is no fiscal impact, there's no mandate' with this bill, Shofner said. 'The purpose of this bill is simply to give choice." Research by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, an influential conservative think tank, states that accreditors rarely discipline universities for poor student outcomes or 'worrisome' academic programs. Shofner, a freshman lawmaker, said the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is associated with the highest debt-to-income ratio for bachelor's degrees, citing the policy foundation's 2022 report, which concluded that SACSCOC is the "worst" accreditor. 'HB 1705 is a simple fix to sync Texas law with the THECB's March 2024 decision. It's common sense, it's bipartisan, and it keeps our higher education system running smoothly,' said Tom Lindsay, a senior fellow at the policy foundation. Belle Wheelan, president of SACSCOC, said in a 2022 letter that the policy foundation's report "reflects a flawed conclusion based on a flawed study," stating that its finding was made based on a minority of SACSCOC students, as the majority within the accreditor's region don't take out federal student loans, and it didn't consider other measures of success. "SACSCOC continues to work to improve higher education for the benefit of society and welcomes feedback from all interested parties. However, I believe the TPPF report includes inaccurate information and, therefore, in no way captures the progress that SACSCOC member institutions continue to make in student achievement; nor does it provide useful critiques that can be used to further drive student achievement," Wheelan said in her letter. "The facts demonstrate that SACSCOC institutions' academic and student achievement performance continues to remain in line with, or slightly exceed, those of other former regional accreditors," she said. The Texas higher education board currently recognizes 16 accreditors, including SACSCOC, all of which are currently recognized by the U.S. Education Department, said Sarah Keyton, deputy commissioner for the board, in response to questioning. The state legislative proposals would allow an institution to pick any accrediting agency on the board's list to satisfy accreditation requirements. Opponents, however, say the bill's language is too vague. 'It's not guaranteed that this will always have federally recognized agencies on' the approved list, Amanda Garcia, speaking on behalf of the American Federation of Teachers, said at the House education panel's hearing Tuesday. 'How the (state) Education Code is currently written ensures that we have that safeguard." David Albert, Austin Community College's chapter president for the American Federation of Teachers union, said HB 1705 is an "unnecessary risk" to a system that's already working efficiently, and it could eventually lower the standards higher education institutes are held to. Brian Evans, president of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors, said that SACSCOC has specific rules that require universities to involve faculty members in decision-making. Republican state senators have also filed multiple bills this session aimed at restricting faculty senates and regulating shared governance at public universities In response to the American-Statesman's emailed questions, Wheelan said SACSCOC, which has accredited Texas universities since 1895, has standards that are approved and developed in consultation with the institutions. "Folks from institutions from ALL of our states serve on the Board that has final approval of them," Wheelan said in an email. "Peer evaluators from member institutions identify the standards and then serve on evaluation teams that determine if and how well institutions are meeting the standards." Wheelan, however, said SACSCOC is not opposed to the bill as it is already the practice at the federal government level. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas lawmakers weigh bills to open college accreditation options
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Weekend reads: A scramble to preserve Medicaid, DOGE axes NC contracts, Scientists have their say
North Carolinians protest cuts to government services and the social safety net in the name of government efficiency. (Photo: Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline)By Gov. Josh Stein sent congressional leaders a letter asking them to spare Medicaid from budget cuts. About 3.1 million North Carolinians use the government health insurance. The U.S. House is considering Medicaid cuts that could reach $880 billion over 10 years. North Carolina Medicaid Director Jay Ludlam told legislators last week a cut of that magnitude would mean a possible loss to North Carolina of $27 billion over 10 years. [Read more….]By As the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) works to slash contracts, grants, and leases around the country, North Carolina is set to lose more than 20 U.S. government facilities. Those losses — largely in the form of leases DOGE says it has terminated — include Social Security Administration and Internal Revenue Service offices, court buildings, and environmental and agricultural posts around the state. While the agency lists some as transferred to federal spaces, others are described as permanently closed.[Read more…]By Hundreds of scientists and students overtook Raleigh's Halifax Mall Friday to call for an end to the Trump administration's attacks on funding for the sciences and higher education, warning of calamity for North Carolina's research economy. Part of a nationwide 'Stand Up for Science' protest that drew crowds from San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza to Boston Common — including a crowd of thousands outside the Lincoln Memorial — the demonstration at noon in Raleigh took aim at President Donald Trump's cuts to cancer research, support of anti-vaccine activists, and threats toward universities around the country. [Read more…]By State officials charged with leading western North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Helene have warned that there are years of rebuilding ahead. But top state lawmakers made their expectations clear Thursday: they want shovels in the ground, and houses under construction, as soon as possible. [Read more…]By Women living in Winston-Salem whose husbands were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement visited the state Legislative Building in Raleigh on Wednesday to share their stories with lawmakers. The visit comes a day after the state Senate approved and sent to the House a bill dubbed the North Carolina 'Border Protection Act.' The legislation would require state agencies like the Department of Public Safety and Highway Patrol to enter agreements with ICE to assist with immigration enforcement.[Read more…]By The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has denied an appeal by Raleigh's Saint Augustine's University (SAU) to restore its accreditation. The historic HBCU was stripped of its accreditation by SACSCOC last December following a series of financial challenges. As NC Newsline previously reported, the college failed on multiple occasions to meet payroll, leaving faculty unpaid as they cancelled classes. [Read more…]
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In another blow for Saint Augustine's University, accreditation board denies appeal
Raleigh's Saint Augustine's University will pursue a 90-day arbitration process to ensure that all students graduating through May 2025 will earn degrees from an accredited university. (Photo: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has denied an appeal by Raleigh's Saint Augustine's University (SAU) to restore its accreditation. The historic HBCU was stripped of its accreditation by SACSCOC last December following a series of financial challenges. As NC Newsline previously reported, the college failed on multiple occasions to meet payroll, leaving faculty unpaid as they cancelled classes. In late November, the university announced a strategic partnership with Florida-based 50 Plus 1 Sports with the hope that the land-lease deal could generate $70 million in revenue to benefit students, faculty, and a fast-growing section of Raleigh. But the state Attorney General's office raised concerns that under the controversial partnership, the university could lose control of its land if it defaulted on the arrangement. 'We have requested information on how this transaction will preserve and revive SAU's educational mission and finances, including site plans showing which property 50+ intends to develop and which it will preserve for educational purposes,' wrote senior deputy attorney general Kunal Choksi in a January letter. A separate $7 million loan by Gothic Ventures was called 'predatory.' Raleigh's News & Observer reported in February that SAU restructured the deal with 50 Plus 1 Sports to alleviate concerns. On Thursday as news of the university's lost accreditation made headlines, school leadership vowed to find a way forward. 'We have made substantial progress and are confident that our strengthened financial position and governance will ensure a positive outcome,' said Board of Trustees Chairman Brian Boulware. 'SAU is resilient, and we are resolute in our commitment to academic excellence.' SAU plans to pursue binding arbitration to contest the accreditation decision. University officials say the 90-day arbitration will allow SAU to demonstrate its financial stability and commitment to compliance with accreditation standards. SAU also insists the bridge loan of up to $70 million will provide the financial resources to eliminate past debt and make campus improvements. 'This funding is a game-changer,' said Vice Chairman Hadley Evans in a release on the school's website. 'We now have the financial leverage to protect SAU's legacy, enhance academic offerings, and create sustainable revenue streams through strategic campus development.' For students graduating this May, they will receive their degrees from an accredited institution. But if SAU is not able to restore its accreditation, it would be barred from participating in federal aid programs in the future. Interim President Dr. Marcus Burgess said Thursday's decision would not define Saint Augustine's, which was established in 1867. 'We urge our alumni and supporters to stand with SAU as we strengthen our foundation and ensure our mission continues for generations.'
