The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges removes Benedict College from probation
COLUMBIA, S.C., December 8, 2020 – Today, during its annual meeting, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board announced that the probation placed upon Benedict College has been lifted.
The College was placed on probation due to longstanding concerns regarding its financial condition, but remained fully accredited throughout the year-long sanction period. After several meetings and reports submitted to SACSCOC review committees, the board found that Benedict College is in compliance with all financial accrediting standards.
“We are extremely pleased with the SACSCOC’s decision that validates our compliance with, and commitment to, the accreditation process,” stated President Roslyn Clark Artis. “I am sincerely grateful for the steadfast support of the Benedict College community; the faithfulness of our Board of Trustees; the commitment our alumni; and the dedication of our faculty and staff. We have done the necessary work, met our goals, and stabilized the institution.”
In addition to Benedict proving its financial footing, Artis said the College has revved up its student recruitment efforts, revenue generating activities and ongoing fundraising efforts.
“I am grateful to the SACSCOC board for their affirmation of Benedict’s value and the strength of the college’s administrative team,” Board of Trustees Chair Charlie W. Johnson said. “I would like to express my thanks to my fellow trustees and to President Artis and her team for their tireless work and for her tremendous leadership throughout this process.”
In 2019, Benedict College received the 2019 ACE/ Fidelity Investments Awards for Institutional Transformation and was named the HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest. These recognitions demonstrate the quality of Benedict’s education, as well as its commitment to meeting the needs of all qualified students, regardless of income.
“We are focused on the future and are continuing to build momentum at Benedict College,” Artis added. “You will hear more about our vision for Benedict College as we look forward to our 150th plus anniversary celebration in 2021.”
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About Benedict College
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution, offering 25 competitive baccalaureate degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries around the world.
Benedict offers several high-demand fields of study in STEM, Cyber Security, Mass Communication, Sport Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, and Education. The College also has a diverse faculty and importantly, 80 percent of courses are taught by full-time faculty.
Over the past ten years, three out of five Benedict College graduates have attended professional or graduate schools. There are over 18,000 proud Benedict Tigers throughout the nation. Benedict College has been a community leader for over 150-years and is a significant contributor to South Carolina and the region. Contributing $130 million and 1,218 jobs in total local and annual economic impact, a Benedict graduate working full-time throughout his or her working life can expect to earn $1.1 million in additional income because of their Benedict College degree.
The College made front-page news in the spring of 2018 when it became the first South Carolina college to lower its tuition by 26 percent. Cutting tuition drew praise from the Commission on Higher Education, South Carolina’s education oversight body. The commissioner noted that the move Benedict College made should be applauded because it offers families affordability and students greater access to higher education.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. For example, Benedict College was ranked as one of the top baccalaureate colleges in thenation by Washington Monthly magazine for creating social mobility and producing cutting-edge scholarship and research. In 2019, Benedict College received the 2019 ACE/ Fidelity Investments Awards for Institutional Transformation and was named the HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: The School of Education, Social Work, Environmental Health Science, Arts and Sciences and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
