BPC undergoes SACS reaffirmation

By Kelley M. Arnold

Director of News and Public Information

MOUNT VERNON— Brewton-Parker College recently hosted a reaffirmation committee from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

During the three-day series of interviews and compliance reviews at the Mount Vernon campus Nov. 9-11, the committee made 15 recommendations to the college. According to Dr. Smith, these recommendations are much less than the college has faced in years past.

“The last reaffirmation visit resulted in about 50 recommendations, which was average for most schools at that time, and we were reaffirmed at that time. This year, we have 15 recommendations, most of which are easily met. The financial issues will take longer,” said Dr. Smith.

Dr. Smith explains that this accreditation process is one that every school faces as part of a 10 year reaffirmation process.

“Every school from west Texas to Puerto Rico to Virginia, if they are accredited, must participate in this reaffirmation process. This is our year for reaffirmation,” he said. “The committee reviews a compliance report as well as a Quality Enhancement Plan from each school. Most schools, following the visit, have requirements to improve, and this is true of BPC as well.”

SACS committee members included presidents, deans and senior officers from Kentucky Christian University, Blinn College in Texas, High Point University in North Carolina and Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina.

Brewton-Parker will respond to the recommendations in a report that will be reviewed by a Credentials and Review Committee from the Commission on Colleges in late March. This review will determine final reaffirmation, said Dr. Smith, adding that this process can take as long as four years.

Brewton-Parker’s Quality Enhancement Plan is marketed under the name SOAR, an acronym for Students Obtaining Academic Rewards. The SOAR program includes at transformed freshmen seminar experience and broadens the opportunity for success for first generation college students. The SOAR program launched in Spring 2010, with additional features like a Film Festival and additional tutoring training coming in the fall and spring 2011.

For more information about the reaffirmation process, contact Dr. Bill Faw, SACS liaison, at 912-583-3121. Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in South Georgia.

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