Info about Oglethorpe being given a "warning" by the SACS
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Dear Rachel,
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools recently posted a note on its website that the warning status given to the university last December will continue for the coming year. While a number of the issues flagged last year have been resolved, we have been asked to continue to demonstrate a history of financial strength. Oglethorpe remains fully accredited and is not on probationary status. We were, of course, disappointed with this news, but we also know that the underlying causes of the issue have been addressed and that we have made significant progress.
In the last fiscal year, ending June 30, 2008, Oglethorpe experienced a positive cash flow in excess of $500,000. We have seen record fundraising for four years and completed over $25 million dollars in campus enhancements during that time. In 2008, we set a record for first-year enrollment (a 30% increase in one year) and for next fall, we are on pace to receive over 5,000 applications for an entering class of 300. We have been able to decrease our operating expenses over time and keep the costs to families low in relationship to the education we provide.
An Oglethorpe education remains a unique opportunity and a great value, recognized by The Princeton Review of Best Colleges and Universities, the newly-published Colleges of Distinction, and named two years in a row to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the only private Georgia college or university so honored.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oglethorpe University and the SACS Warning
Q. Who is the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, also known as SACS?
A. The Southern Association for Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the regional accrediting body for more 13,000 schools and school systems in the United States and overseas. For details about SACS and further information, please visit: http://www.sacscoc.org
Q. Does this SACS Warning status affect Oglethorpe's accreditation or its ability to award degrees?
A. The SACS Warning affects neither Oglethorpe's accreditation nor any of its degree programs. Oglethorpe's 1996 reaffirmation of accreditation continues in effect and Oglethorpe remains accredited.
Oglethorpe University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone 404-679-4500) to award bachelor's degrees and master's degrees. The graduate teacher education program is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
Q. How does this affect my Oglethorpe degree?
A. Your degree is not impacted at all. You will be earning your degree from an accredited university and you will have all the rights and privileges pertaining to the degree you are awarded.
Q. How will the SACS Warning affect my financial aid?
A. Your financial aid will not be impacted. Oglethorpe University will continue to honor its agreements and contracts with incoming and current students. For specific information concerning your financial aid package, please speak with the Financial Aid Office or visit http://www.oglethorpe.edu/administrative/financial_aid/.
Q. How will this impact enrollment?
A. We continue to attract students in record numbers and do not expect a negative impact on enrollment. In the fall of 2008, we welcomed the largest first-year class in the history of Oglethorpe and applications for the fall of 2009 are at record levels.
Q. Does Oglethorpe have a financial problem?
A. While Oglethorpe would not be considered one of the wealthy private schools, our balance sheet is strong with net assets over $40 Million dollars. Oglethorpe operates with a balanced budget and prudent financial practices. Like many institutions and many families, we are continually monitoring our finances to see us safely through these difficult financial times. The 2007-2008 year completed a three-year run of record philanthropic receipts. The entering first-year class of traditional full-time students in the fall of 2008 grew 30% over the previous year.
Q. When and why did SACS place Oglethorpe on Warning?
A. Oglethorpe was placed on Warning on December 7, 2007 with an additional report requested which addressed the university's operations with regard to business, finance and financial aid. This report was submitted to SACS in September 2008 and reported that our cash flow was positive for the year, that there were no material weaknesses found in our independent audits and that there were no outstanding financial aid issues with the Department of Education. At its meeting on December 9, 2008, SACS decided to continue Oglethorpe on Warning for an additional twelve months and asked that we submit another report in 2009.
Q. How long will the Warning last?
A. The warning will last until SACS' next meeting in December 2009.
Q. What specific steps is Oglethorpe taking to ensure compliance in a timely manner?
A. The steps that were put in place last year that resulted in a balanced budget, audits without any material weaknesses and no outstanding issues in regard to financial aid practices will be continued during the coming year. We carefully and constantly monitor our financial condition and our financial practices to make certain that we remain fully in compliance.
Q. Who is overseeing this process?
A. The university president and his cabinet with oversight from our Board of Trustees.
Q. When will parents, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders be notified of Oglethorpe's removal from Warning status?
A. Oglethorpe will receive official word on December 8, 2009. Notification will be posted to the university web site www.oglethorpe.edu when official word is received.
We are committed to providing our students an outstanding educational opportunity and assure you that:
· Oglethorpe University remains fully accredited.
· Oglethorpe's net assets are strong.
· Federal funding and student financial aid are not threatened or jeopardized.
· Oglethorpe's academic programs and their quality are not negatively impacted. Programs will continue to be enhanced.
We are Georgia's only coeducational member of the Annapolis Group, an organization of America's most selective 100 liberal arts institutions.
Oglethorpe is the only private higher education institution in Georgia to be named to the President's Honor Roll for Community Service in 2007 and 2008.
Oglethorpe University is one of only six Georgia higher education institutions recognized in the 2008-2009 edition of Colleges of Distinction.
The university is listed by The Princeton Review among the country's Best 368 Colleges.
Oglethorpe is identified among America's Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report.
· Oglethorpe graduates are admitted to the most prestigious graduate programs in the world.
Oglethorpe will communicate the decision by SACS in December 2009, once official word is received.
Please note: If you would like to respond to this email, please do not hit "Reply" as the email will be sent to a "Do not reply" email address. Instead, pease respond to this message by emailing the Oglethorpe alumni office: alumni@oglethorpe.edu.