The Dallas Morning News
December 19, 1999
UT warned it could lose accreditation
Agency gives officials 6 months to show fixes
Author: Associated Press
Edition: THIRD
Section: NEWS
Page: 35A
Dateline: AUSTIN
Article Text:
University of Texas administrators have received a warning from the agency that accredits the university, saying officials must prove they have fixed two problems or risk losing accreditation.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has told administrators they have six months to show that they have a way to rate how well students are learning in the university's two largest schools - liberal arts and natural sciences - and that UT graduates are competent to use computers.
Losing accreditation can take prestige away from a university and prevent students from getting some federal financial aid. It can also create problems for students trying to transfer to other schools.
UT President Larry Faulkner said the issues involved are technical and that he doesn't believe the university is in danger of losing accreditation.
"It will never happen. The University of Texas is one of the two or three strongest universit! ies in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools," Mr. Faulkner told the Austin American-Statesman .
"I think it would be highly embarrassing for the Southern Association to take a negative action" against UT, Mr. Faulkner said.
The university constantly evaluates its programs, and most students arrive at the university already computer-literate, Mr. Faulkner said.
UT has until May to report to the association. If UT fails, the association could give it more time to report, place the university on probation or revoke its accreditation.
Copyright 1999 The Dallas Morning News