Una Receives Perfect Outcome From Sacs Review

Mar. 01, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama this morning received what its president, Dr. William G. Cale Jr., called "the rarest of rare outcomes." Following its on-site review of the university, an eight-person team from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) reported no findings, recommendations or need for follow-up. Such a report from SACS is achieved by only about 2 percent of colleges and universities undergoing similar reviews. SACS is the regional accrediting body for degree-granting institutions in the southeast. Every SACS-accredited institution undergoes a review every 10 years. "I felt good going into the review," Cale said, "but no one anticipates a perfect outcome. This is an affirmation of the excellent quality found at UNA." The SACS review included two major components: UNA's compliance with more than 80 academic and administrative standards, and its effective implementation of its Quality Enhancement Program (QEP). The QEP at UNA - entitled "Building Success Through Discovery: Imagine, Investigate, Communicate" - focuses on academic research literacy. The program helps ensure students' strength in the reading, data collection, analysis and presentation skills required in any given discipline or career. Cale said a positive outcome from a SACS review is achieved only through a continuous maintaining of high standards over time. "The review team researches not only your current level of quality but how you've built and maintained that level of quality over a period of years. It is a strenuously thorough study, and its outcome for UNA should bolster the confidence of everyone on this campus and in this community." The official reaffirmation of UNA's SACS accreditation is expected at the annual SACS conference in December.