KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee has earned reaccreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for the next 10 years. All campus programs and policies were assessed in the process and SACS members determined that UT had been highly successful in fulfilling the school-s educational objectives and mission.
-This glowing report confirms that UT is moving in the right direction and proves the intrinsic good health of our university. It also speaks to how we are poised to do greater things in the future,- said Knoxville Chancellor Loren Crabtree.
The SACS accreditation process comprises three systems of evaluation: an internal policy and program review by university administrators; a peer review by professionals representing the Commission on Colleges; and a final statement of the university-s fulfillment of accreditation requirements by SACS elected commissioners.
-A successful reaccreditation process is the result of lots of hard work by many good people,- said Bob Levy, interim vice president of academic affairs for the UT system. He added that to get a -clean bill of health- is significant.
University officials were required to submit a comprehensive compliance report as well as a Quality Enhancement Plan. The five-year QEP was launched at UT last year and focuses on broadening students- knowledge and experience with cultures other than their own, both domestically and abroad.
-The initiatives surrounding the QEP will better prepare our students, faculty and staff for success in an ever-changing global society,- said Crabtree. -Increasing international and intercultural awareness in our university community is vital for success and growth.-
Study abroad initiatives and luncheon programs examining international issues, topics or countries are among the QEP programs implemented during the last year. The university also recently was ranked as one of the best universities in the nation for recruiting and retaining Hispanics by Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education.
The Commission on Colleges of SACS is the regional body for the accreditation of higher education institutions in the Southern states that award associate, baccalaureate, master-s, and doctoral degrees.
For more information, visit the SACS Web site at http://www.sacs.org
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Contact: Beth Gladden (865-974-9008)
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