Fisk University, battling to regain its stature in higher education, has been removed from probation and its full standing in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaffirmed, the organization’s Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) announced Tuesday in Atlanta.
The SACSCOC panel also removed Florida A & M University from probation status, giving the nation’s largest HBCU an opportunity to focus on rebuilding a legendary image tarnished two years ago when a drum major for its nationally recognized marching band died at the hands of several fellow band members involved in an illegal band hazing exercise.
In other actions, SACSCOC reaffirmed the accreditation of tiny Shaw University and removed Jarvis Christian College from probation. It continued the probation status of the Interdenominational Theological Center. It also placed Norfolk State University on warning status, along with Allen University.
The SACSCOC decision for Fisk, Nashville’s oldest institution of higher learning and once considered one of the nation’s Black “Ivy League” colleges, brought to an end four years of battle with the institution about its finances, management, leadership and future viability based on SACSCOC standards for institutions across the South.
The vote by the 77-member SACSCOC board gives new Fisk President H. James Williams the breathing room he needs to finish an overhaul of the internal workings of the institution he began when he came to the university in February.
After the SACS announcement, Williams said Fisk had begun a “renaissance” seven months ago and, with the SACSCOC announcement this week, “we will move full steam ahead.”
