Paul Quinn Pledges to Fight SACS Ruling

Published in the North Dallas Gazette
June 2009

Although on probation for two years, officials, students and alumni were disappointed last week when Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell was notified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) that Paul Quinn would be removed from their membership and thereby lose their accreditation status. This decision places a cloud over the future of the college and the nearly 400 students currently enrolled.

Reviewing the recent improvements the college has made, particularly in the financial arena, some are asking why did the SACS take this extraordinary step now?

Contacted by phone on Wednesday, Belle Wheelan, PhD, President of the Commission on Colleges indicated Paul Quinn's two-year probation is the maximum time period allowed by federal government rules. As a result, the SACS had two options: the college could be removed from probation or SACS membership.

Dr. Wheelan acknowledged, "They made great progress but still had three outstanding issues."

While Dr. Wheelan lauded the improvements Paul Quinn has made during their probationary period, she stated, "making progress is not sufficient, they still have to be in compliance." Paul Quinn is currently not in compliance, therefore the SACS' position is they had no choice but to end the school's membership.

The pending issues listed for the SACS decision includes financial stability. Although Paul Quinn reports they have eliminated over $800,000 of debt since May of this year, Dr. Wheelan said they are not financially stable per the SACS definition.
Secondly, financial resources was a reason cited. However, in addition to addressing their debt, Paul Quinn anticipates a budget surplus of nearly $250,000. Many would consider that a remarkable feat given the economic climate. Sorrell said, "Everyone is impressed except the SACS." The budget surplus comes in light of a reported 90 percent increase in donations to the college.

The final reason Dr. Wheelan referenced is institutional effectiveness, which involves an examination to ensure students are learning.

"They have to identify student learning outcomes, and after the assessment, make changes to make sure students do learn," Dr. Wheelan stated.

Dr. Wheelan will send a letter to Sorrell in the upcoming week, the school will then have 10 days to file an appeal. The appeals panel will meet in August on an undetermined date. The grounds for appeal are, "we did not follow appropriate procedure or our decision was somehow unfair and unreasonable," Dr. Wheelan shared.

If Paul Quinn loses the appeal their next option is to sue the SACS, according to Dr. Wheelan.
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At a press conference on Friday June 26 and when reached by phone on Wednesday it is very clear Sorrell plans to fight this matter vigorously. "We intend to challenge the ruling on appeal just as soon as we receive the formal letter."

When asked how the community can assist the school Sorrell stated, "The community can financially support the school by first help send students through here [Paul Quinn] and two, send checks." Both steps will strengthen their argument on appeal.

Sorrell emphasized that it is important for the public to understand, "At no point did SACS say that they have any problem with how school is being run."

Given the troubled history of financial mismanagement of first Bishop College and Paul Quinn College, many view this is a victory for the institution. Sorrell's statement last week highlighted the fact their "2008 audit produced no findings of non-compliance for the first time in over 10 years. By comparison, the 2007 audit had 23 findings of non-compliance."

Determined but not argumentative, Sorrell said, "They [SACS] have a standard. They have their beliefs. All we are saying is this is not the time to pull the plug on what we are doing."

When asked to identity the key factors in improving the school's financial situation and morale, Sorrell shared, "People need to appreciate how hard we work. We have a strong work ethic." He stated the school's leadership "come out of corporate America." For example the Chief Operating Officer came from the Boston Consulting Group and Sorrell is a former corporate securities lawyer.

"We practice extreme accountability: you are held responsible for what you are tasked to do, we hold you accountable," Sorrell shared this mandate includes students, faculty and staff.

Sorrell feels the bottom-line is, "We have a much better story to tell now and people want to be a part of it. The reason you support Paul Quin is not for what it has been, but what it will be."

Confident the institution will successfully resolve this matter, Sorrell closed by saying, "We will push our way past this. We will give this area the great college that it deserves."