By Associated Press
Mobile, AL – The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges removed Bishop State Community College from academic probation on Tuesday, two years after it first cited the school for a myriad of problems.
The commission voted for the move during its meeting in San Antonio, Texas after finding that the Mobile school is in compliance with accreditation standards.
"This is a huge step forward for Bishop State and the Alabama Community College System," system Chancellor Bradley Byrne said in a statement. "We congratulate Dr. (James) Lowe and the staff at Bishop State for a job well done."
But Byrne said there are more improvements to be made and the school is participating in a Malcolm Baldridge Quality program.
SACS first put Bishop State on probation in December 2006 after numerous financial and academic problems were discovered at the two-year college.
The accrediting agency extended that status twice in 2007.
The accreditation standards are Integrity 1.1, Financial Resources 2.11.1, College-level Competencies 3.5.1 and Federal Requirements 4.7.
"Though Bishop State accreditation was never taken away, this removes any doubt of the college being in trouble and paves the way for Bishop State to regain its status as a great community college," Bishop State President James Lowe said.
Full accreditation means Bishop State keeps its eligibility to participate in Federal Financial Aid and allows its graduates transferability to institutions of higher education.