Important Information for Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Supporters
and Friends Concerning Southern Miss' SACS Probation

On Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) placed The University of Southern Mississippi on probation for a one-year period. While this sanction is both surprising and disappointing, Southern Miss is committed to addressing concerns of SACS in a forthright manner.

Our university's SACS study has been ongoing since 1995. When we became aware of the concerns of the commission in 2002, we began working immediately to address them. Although we were not able to turn around the 10-year process within two years, we did not expect probation.

SACS has challenged Southern Miss to improve in the specific areas of assessment of institutional effectiveness and continuing education effectiveness. SACS has not expressed concerns of any kind about academic quality or institutional integrity. Just as Auburn University removed its probationary status this December, Southern Miss will remove its probationary status next December.

In an effort to address some areas of concern, we want to make the following clear:

• Southern Miss remains fully accredited. Federal funding and student aid are not threatened. The SACS probationary period allows us time to prove our compliance.
• The academic integrity of Southern Miss is not in question. The SACS action that resulted in the one-year probation included nothing about the institution's academic quality. Southern Miss is committed to maintaining, even enhancing, the quality of its academic programs. The SACS probation has no effect on the day-to-day commitment of the university community to its goal of teaching, research, service and economic development.
• Southern Miss has and will continue to address in a forthright manner concerns cited by SACS.
• Southern Miss is committed to maintaining the high value of a Southern Miss degree. In addition, the university will preserve its ability to receive federal funds for both the institution and its students.
• Southern Miss will keep all students, faculty, staff, alumni, supporters and friends informed as to the progress we make in reporting to SACS and to being removed from probation in December 2005.
• Many academic programs have national accrediting associations specific to their discipline. Of the 114 eligible accredited programs at Southern Miss, 112 are accredited.
• Dr. Joan Exline, assistant to the president for accreditation, articulation and planning, took over responsibility for assessment in October 2004. She has already begun work on addressing the areas of concern and is working with faculty, staff, students and community members to meet all SACS standards. For more information on the Plan for Effectiveness and the progress made thus far, please visit www.usm.edu/ie.