Monday 28 April 2008
while you were out…hiawassee loses
Posted by writemyline under higher education, local | Tags: Hiawassee College, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, St. Andrews Presbyterian College |No Comments
Just a short post in between cities and pianos…
Something big happened while I’ve been out of town and relatively unplugged from just about everything. This morning, I read that Hiawassee College has lost its federal court case against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled that SACS did not deny due process to Hiawassee in regards to the school’s financial resources. I assume this means that the students at the two-year college are ineligible for federal grants and loans.
This is disturbing, especially since my own alma mater, St. Andrews Presbyterian College (SAPC), is preparing for a similar battle.
Those of us who are following the SAPC case see a similar course of action. Last summer, we were discussing and debating SACS’ decision to defrock SAPC because of finances. Then, after SAPC filed suit against SACS and was granted a temporary order allowing accreditation to continue until a final ruling in federal court, we relaxed a little. The story took a pregnant pause until now.
This morning, I have scoured the net for updates, discussion, etc in a quick attempt to gather more information. First, was SAPC’s own accreditation information update page; then, SACS’ statements and announcements. From there, I found a few interesting articles and posts…
Effective April 14, 2008, Hiwassee College, located in Madisonville, Tennessee, has been removed as an accredited institution with the Commission on Colleges. (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
FEDERAL COURT AFFIRMS SACS’ COMMISSION ON COLLEGES AS A PRIVATE INDEPENDENT ENTITY
What criteria should our national accrediting organizations use on the Higher Ed Law Prof Blog.
The final federal court ruling of Hiawassee College v SACS
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Accreditor’s Action Against Hiwassee College
Hiwassee may go out with a squeak instead of a roar, Jim Castagnera, The Greentree Gazette
Federal Court Upholds Accreditor’s Action, Charles Huckabee
Saturday at Hiawassee College, Tony Burgess Blog
Hiwassee loses accreditation appeal,Tommy Millsaps, The Advocate and Democrat
St. Andrews and Hiawasse have both applied for accreditation through The American Academy For Liberal Education ( The American Academy for Liberal Education is a national organization dedicated to strengthening and promoting liberal education through accreditation and research.)
I hope to continue this story when I return home in June from a judging tour. Meanwhile, please feel free to post related links, comments, etc.

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