By Ralph Derickson

Visiting Team Chair E. Roger Sayers said SACS commendations signify that the program or process singled out for praise is usually considered worthy to be a model for other institutions across the country. The SACS commendation of UK praised both the UK administration and campus aesthetics.

April 18, 2002 – (Lexington, Ky.) – A Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACS/COC) visiting team presented its preliminary findings to University of Kentucky President Lee. T. Todd Jr. in a session that included deans, faculty members and UK administrators Thursday, April 18. The report included a rare SACS commendation along with recommendations and suggestions.

Visiting Team Chair E. Roger Sayers said SACS commendations signify that the program or process singled out for praise is usually considered worthy to be a model for other institutions across the country. The SACS commendation of UK praised both the UK administration and campus aesthetics.

During the three-day SACS visit, the visiting team members conducted 500 interviews, visited four campuses and traveled 400 miles.

UK Self-Study Director John J. Piecoro Jr. said the University obviously is very pleased to hear the commendation. He also said the preliminary report contained no major surprises or issues that had not surfaced during the University's self-study work.

The University already has a "Fix-It" committee working on recommendations listed in its Self-Study Report. The committee also will work on the recommendations and suggestions in the SACS report.

The SACS review is part of a periodic institutional review required for accreditation by the SACS Commission on Colleges. Piecoro said the process has several remaining steps:

• A draft report will be presented to President Todd within the next four to six weeks. The University may make only factual corrections to the draft. A formal report will then be submitted to the University in June.
  
  
• UK will have until Sept. 15 to submit a written response including a plan to bring the institution into compliance with the SACS recommendations.
  
  
• The site visit committee chair will review the University's response and submit it to the Commission on Colleges for review at its meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in December.

The Commission on Colleges will vote on the University's reaffirmation of accreditation at the December meeting. Piecoro, a professor in the College of Pharmacy, said that President Todd will receive official notification in January 2003.