SACS unaware that A&M ‘quietly explored’ alternative accrediting entity

When the Texas A&M University System “quietly explored” utilizing a different accrediting entity as part of the controversial “seven breakthrough solutions” for higher education, it was indeed done “quietly” — i.e., without the knowledge of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

SACS Commission on Colleges is the accrediting entity for higher education institutions in 11 states, including more than 160 private and public campuses in Texas.

In response to an inquiry from the Texas Independent on whether SACS was aware that, according to official documents, A&M had looked into switching to the “Central Region Accrediting entity,” SACSCOC president Belle Wheelan said in an email, “No, we were not.”

In the U.S., institutions can seek accreditation from one of six regional accrediting entities determined by geography. Wheelan said it would be extremely uncommon for a school to try to change entities.

“An institution is accredited based on the location of its headquarters or main campus. We have had a for-profit institution that shifted its headquarters from [Georgia] to [Illinois] change accreditors; otherwise, institutions do not currently have the choice of regional accreditors,” she said.

According to A&M System documents obtained by the Texas Independent, A&M officials/staff said in February:

“We have quietly explored the possibility of utilizing the Central Region Accrediting entity. There are significant risks to doing this alone, but there are also potential significant benefits to the entire state higher education system if done. We were informed by the Central Region that we had to be nominated by another institution in the region to apply for membership in the Central Region. However, once we apply, there are no guarantees that our membership will be accepted.”

The author of the same document cites potential risks and benefits of using a different accrediting entity, saying that a switch would have to be done on a statewide level. The “Central Regional Accrediting entity” cited in the document could possibly refer to the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is affiliated with campuses in 19 states including Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Wheelan was not certain to what entity the document referred. “I am not aware of the ability of someone to be ‘nominated’ into a different REGIONAL accrediting body, nor am I aware of to what CENTRAL refers,” she said.

HLC officials have not yet responded to a Texas Independent request for comment.

Wheelan added:

“Accreditation does several things for an institution: (1) gives the general public a sense that it is a quality institution that has undergone an external review and is, therefore, worth the money to be spent in attendance and (2) allows the institution to participate in the Title IV federal student aid program. Accrediting agencies that are recognized by the US Department of Education and that, subsequently, accredit institutions, make it possible for institutions to participate in Title IV. If the accrediting agency in the State of Texas is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, institutions in the State will not be able to provide federal financial aid unless they also are accredited by a recognized accreditor.”

The author of the A&M System document expressed similar concerns about the “breakthrough solution” calling for a new, Texas-specific accrediting entity, writing:

“There is no Texas only accreditation process available. If there were a Texas only process, we would still want to have both national and state accreditation, not just for credibility (which is important in faculty recruitment) but also for financial aid. We would not like to jeopardize our Students eligibility for federal loans because our institutions are not approved by a national accrediting body.”

While Gov. Rick Perry has backed the “seven solutions” crafted by Texas Public Policy Foundation board member Jeff Sandefer, he no longer supports the idea of creating a Texas-only accrediting entity, a spokesperson has said.

(Image by Matt Mahurin)