University of Louisville taken off probation, putting to rest student loan concerns

The University of Louisville is no longer on probation after its accrediting organization ruled that it had adequately addressed several rules violations, administrators announced Tuesday.

The decision by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools puts to rest any concerns over the university's standing because students risked losing their federal Pell grants and student loans if the university wasn't accredited. They also faced potentially not having their degrees and credentials recognized by other universities and colleges, as well as by future employers.

Still, the action wasn't a big surprise because Greg Postel, the interim university president, had announced in early October that a draft report from the group showed that the university was in compliance with all of the group's rules and recommendations.

The association had placed the university on probation last December after deciding there had been a violation of governing rules following Gov. Matt Bevin's move to fire the board of trustees and name a new one. The organization cited concerns about undue external political influence on the university and an inconsistency with the university's policies and the governor's actions.

In response, the General Assembly enacted an emergency law to abolish the board of trustees and allow the governor to appoint a new one, which addressed that issue. The group also insisted that the university more specifically define its relationship with the university's foundation, get its troubled finances in order and report on credentials of several administrators filling interim appointments on campus.

Background: University of Louisville could come off academic probation in December, Postel says

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Although Louisville officials insisted that academic programs were never in question, Postel acknowledged some damage to the university's reputation because of the academic probation in a conference call with reporters gathered at Grawemeyer Hall. "It appears it was pretty minimal," he said, given the uptick in student applications and the quality of faculty and administrative candidates for open positions.

Postel was speaking by phone from Texas, where the accrediting association's Commission on Colleges held its annual meeting. The organization board voted to lift probation on Sunday and had embargoed a public announcement until Tuesday.

Postel credited the work of associate provost Connie Shumake, interim chief financial officer Susan Howarth and other administrators who responded to nine issues raised by SACS.

The three university officials plus trustees Chairman J. David Grissom answered several questions from a committee last Friday before the decision.

The association conducts accreditation evaluations on a 10-year cycle, and it was scheduled to start its review last year when the rules violations emerged. That will resume immediately with a SACS visit this spring, Postel said.

SACS sent a team to campus for a site visit in late September, and shortly after that, Postel expressed confidence that the university was on the right track in regaining its standing with the organization.

The probation hit after months of scandal, including the NCAA launching an investigation into claims that escorts had entertained basketball players at a campus dormitory and the eventual ouster of former President James Ramsey as part of the governor's shakeup.

Grace Schneider: 502-582-4082; gschneider@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @gesinfk. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/graces