CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WTVR) – The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Comission on Colleges (SACSCOC) placed the University of Virginia on warning after this summer’s failed attempt by the university’s Board of Visitors to oust U.Va. president Teresa Sullivan.
“The SACSCOC Board of Trustees determined that the University was not in compliance with Core Requirement 2.2 regarding board governance and Comprehensive Standard 3.7.5 regarding Faculty Role in Governance of the organization’s Principles of Accreditation,” U. Va. Executive Vice President and Provost John Simon wrote in an email addressed to the university community.
“This action does not imply any criticism of the University’s academic quality and programs, nor does it affect the institution’s ability to receive federal aid, including financial aid and sponsored research,” Simon wrote. “Last month, the Board adopted revisions to the Board of Visitors Manual to provide clarity on procedures for electing and removing presidents, set up comprehensive guidelines for evaluating a president’s performance, and provide more direct involvement by faculty in board deliberations.”
The SACS planned to send a “visiting team” to Charlottesville next year, Simon added.
Earlier this year, U.Va. was thrust into the national spotlight when students and faculty rallied following the Board of Visitors vote to remove Sullivan from her position as president.
In the end, the board voted to reinstate Sullivan as university president and even extended her contract.
