Hiwassee will appeal SACS
From Hiwassee College's public relations office
MADISONVILLE, Tenn. - Hiwassee College plans to appeal a pending decision by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to remove the College from membership.
The Association took action on Dec. 6, but the College will not receive official notification until January.
"When official notification is received, the college will appeal the decision through the official SACS appeal process and take any other actions necessary," said Hiwassee President James Noseworthy.
"We have made tremendous progress as an institution over the last several years and believe the SACS action is unjust."
The SACS action is in response to fiscal concerns first raised by the Association in 2000, when the college was placed on warning. Since then, Hiwassee leaders have worked extensively with SACS officials to address these concerns, meeting financial goals and developing long-term fiscal strategies.
"The decision is extremely disappointing in light of all the progress we have made," said Noseworthy. "We are better off financially than we have ever been in many years. In the past year alone, we increased our endowment by $1.5 million and improved our operating assets by $200,000. We have the grounds to build a very strong appeals case."
Because Hiwassee is appealing the decision, any SACS action will be suspended until the appeals process is completed in March 2005.
"As we move forward," said Noseworthy, "we will issue an update no later than March 2005. In addition, we are currently exploring some promising options for accreditation partnerships. No matter what, we will do all within our power to ensure there will always be a place for the special mission Hiwassee College has faithfully served since 1849."
Noseworthy reassures Hiwassee constituents of the institution's academic integrity and continued dedication to excellence.
"Hiwassee's academic program is of the highest quality," said Noseworthy. "There is no issue with Hiwassee's academic program or the integrity of the faculty or current college leadership. As we anticipate the start of the appeals process, the college remains fully accredited and students remain fully eligible for all financial aid."
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