Paine College News June 22, 2012 Paine College Responds to Accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Universities (SACS)<http://www.paine.edu/blog/post/2012/06/22/Paine-College-Responds-to-Accreditation-from-Southern-Association-of-Colleges-and-Universities-(SACS).aspx> Paine College continues to take the appropriate steps in moving toward our vision to becoming a premier Liberal Arts institution in the region. As many of you have seen in recent news releases, Paine College has been working through challenges pertaining to our fiscal management.

 Working through our normal auditing process, it was made clear to me that adjustments needed to be made in order to continue the financial sustainability of the Institution. Along with the support of the Board of Trustees, the College took swift actions to address the financial management issues. We have now taken the steps to evaluate our controls and put appropriate measures in place to ensure the College’s operations exceed the minimum standards. As many of you know, the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities (SACS) is a Board that oversees institutions of higher education and awards accreditation. I am very proud that SACS reaffirmed Paine’s accreditation for another ten years. 

 SACS issued a warning to the College giving the Institution time to correct six financial management issues. This warning that the College received is but one of many steps that SACS puts in place to assist colleges in making sure they are exercising sound practices for financial stability. As a Board member of SACS, it is important that these practices of governance be exercised for all institutions. I don’t view the warning as a punishment but as an opportunity to continue to implement the College’s developed plan of improvement to address the issues pertaining to this year’s audit.

 The College is continuing to work with the leadership of the Board of Trustees and make quarterly reports that showcase our corrective actions and progress in moving the College forward. We will also continue this dialogue with SACS and other constituent groups that are affiliated with the College. I am very pleased that Paine is making strides and is fully accredited, offers financial aid, scholarships and a quality education for all students. It is my goal, through the support of many of you to continue the legacy and build upon our achievements of a being a great institution. For more information, contact the Office of Communications & Marketing at (706) 396-7591 or Ncarter@paine.edu<mailto:Ncarter@paine.edu>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.