Dear Parent(s):
Earlier this year, I notified you of Morris Brown College’s pending review by the Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). This past weekend, I learned of the Commission’s decision not to extend the probationary period to a second year for Morris Brown College. This decision may result in the loss of our accredited status, if our appeal is not successful. Please know that we will appeal this decision and fight for the continued accreditation of our beloved institution. In the meantime, please know that we remain an accredited college. Therefore, your son or daughter will receive the federal financial aid for which he/she has been approved.
We know that you are concerned about the future of the institution and what that means for your son’s or daughter’s education. Please see the attached document of the most frequently asked questions regarding student concerns. We will continue to keep you abreast of the College’s actions in response to our appeal. However, if your child plans to withdraw or is lapplying for a transfer and requests a transcript, all such requests will be honored. In the meantime, we will continue to conduct business with the utmost interest of your child in mind.
If you desire to receive information via e-mail, please forward your e-mail address to the Office of Student Affairs at
studentaffairs@morrisbrown.edu. Thank you for your continued support and heartfelt prayers.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Taylor
President
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Q. Has Morris Brown lost its accreditation?
A. No. The College remains accredited by the Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The College will only lose its accreditation if SACS denies the College’s appeal.
2. Q. How will Morris Brown appeal the SACS decision to withdraw accreditation?
A. Morris Brown College President Charles E. Taylor must file the College’s request for an appeals hearing within 10 calendar days of the date of the institution’s receipt of notification of the adverse decision of the Commission.
3. Q. How long is the appellate process?
A. The College has 10 calendar days from the date of the institution’s receipt of notification of the adverse decision of the Commission to request an appeal hearing. Although the College does not know the exact date when the hearing will be scheduled, appeal hearings are normally scheduled in mid-March. So the College anticipates that its hearing will be scheduled in March 2003.
4. Q.I am a senior completing my requirements for graduation in December 2002—what is the status of my course credits and degree?
A. All courses taken through December 2002 will be honored as accredited work completed at the College.
5. Q. I am a senior scheduled to complete my requirements in May 2003—what is the status of my course credits and degree?
A. All courses taken through December 2002 will be honored as accredited work completed at the College. If the College prevails on its appeal, the status of the college is unchanged. If the College loses its appeal, your Spring semester course work may be unaccredited, depending on certain actions the College may take. However, be advised that plans are underway to address class requirements for seniors for the Spring 2003 semester. Future communication will further detail those plans.
6. Q. I am an underclassman—what is the status of my course credits?
A. All courses taken up to December 2002 are accredited courses. Please see the answer to Question #5 regarding Spring 2003 credits.
8. Q. I am an underclassman—what happens to me if I decide to remain enrolled and graduate from Morris Brown College? Will existing students be grand fathered in?
A. All courses taken through December 2002 are transferable. Accredited courses for the Spring semester will be determined based on the outcome of the appeal. Under SACS policy, there is no provision for “grand fathering in.”
9. Q. Will I be able to get financial aid if I stay at Morris Brown for the Spring semester?
A. Yes.
10. Q. Will I owe Morris Brown if I have an outstanding balance, if there is a loss of accreditation?
A. Yes.
11. Q. Will federal financial aid be awarded students during the appeals process?
A. Yes.
12. Q. How will the Adult Degree Program students be affected, if there is a loss of accreditation?
A. Students enrolled in the Adult Degree Program will be affected in the same way as traditional students. All courses taken through December 2002 will be honored as accredited work completed at the College.
13. Q. How will this action affect students anticipating attending graduate school?
A. All courses taken through December 2002 will be honored as accredited work completed at the College. (Please see the answer to Question #5 regarding Spring 2003 credits.) Although we cannot speak for every graduate institution, some schools have expressed favorable consideration of course credits taken in Spring semester on a case-by-case basis, if there is a loss of accreditation.
14. Q. What are the College’s plans if we lose the appeal next Spring?
A. The College will reapply for accreditation. The College will seek to sustain itself with funding sources other than the U.S. Department of Education and will do everything in its power to serve those students who have remained throughout this critical time in Morris Brown’s history. It is the plan and desire of the College to remain open.
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