The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission released more details Thursday about a warning dealing with fiscal affairs issued to Fort Valley State University earlier this month.
The accrediting organization placed the school on warning for a year at its general meeting Dec. 5 because the Commission’s Board of Trustees determined Fort Valley State failed to demonstrate compliance with three standards — faculty competence, control of finances and Title IV responsibilities, which deal with federal student aid, according to a disclosure statement released Thursday explaining the reason for the warning and what it means for Fort Valley’s status with the organization.
The warning is related to finance office processes and staffing and training of employees in the offices of general accounting, financial aid and support services, according to a news release from Fort Valley State.
A year ago, a commission panel reaffirmed the school’s accreditation for 10 years but wanted reforms in the administration of fiscal affairs. The warning stems from the commission’s belief the school had made significant progress toward correcting the issues.
University officials said steps are under way to re-staff personnel in the departments cited.
“Fort Valley State University has been involved in a multiyear effort to address concerns and enhance its fiscal procedures. This effort has benefitted from the assistance of the United States Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, the Georgia Board of Regents and Georgia Department of Audits,” Fort Valley State President Larry Rivers stated in a news release. “Since all issues had not been resolved completely, we knew that a warning was a possibility. We respect SACS, understand the very serious nature of this warning, and will work to resolve its concerns fully.”
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