January 20, 2015
January 2015 Response: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has posted its report responding to a request for information from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), its regional accrediting body.
In a letter the University received on November 19, 2014, SACSCOC sought information about compliance with various accreditation standards in light of the findings of the independent investigation into past academic irregularities conducted by Kenneth L. Wainstein of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.
Wainstein announced his findings at a news conference on October 22, 2014 and his report is posted here.
The University’s 200-plus page report was delivered to SACSCOC on January 12, 2015. In her accompanying letter, Chancellor Carol L. Folt said, “The University has the utmost confidence in its academic programs and their integrity and stands ready to answer any further questions from the Commission.”
Review initiated in November 2014: In February 2014, the University informed SACSCOC that Chancellor Folt and President Ross had commissioned an independent investigation by Kenneth Wainstein based on new information that had become available, and pledged to keep SACSCOC fully informed as the process unfolded.
Accordingly, the University provided a copy of the report to SACSCOC on October 22, 2014, the same day it was released.
SACSCOC responded with a letter seeking additional information about compliance with accreditation standards that the University received on November 19, 2014.
The University is a founding member of and has a long-standing relationship with SACSCOC. The University is accredited and in good standing with SACSCOC. The University has pledged its full and continued cooperation with SACSCOC in this review.
Review initiated in July 2012: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill began sharing the various reviews of the academic irregularities and answering questions about compliance with accreditation principles from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), its regional accrediting body, in July 2012.
During that process, the University designed and put in place more than 70 important reforms and actions to tighten academic oversight and ensure the integrity of our programs. These initiatives were all shared with SACSCOC as part of their review.
In June 2014, SACSCOC trustees reviewed the second monitoring report they had requested in July 2013. They had no additional questions, and the University continued to move forward in implementing the reforms.