TALLAHASSEE— Today, the Board of Governors held a thorough discussion on a report on postsecondary education institution accreditation. The report provides a detailed summary of the different accreditors available for Florida’s 12 public universities. Additionally, the report outlines key elements in the process that universities should consider, such as cost, standards, and representation. It is a culmination of months of collaboration between the State University System of Florida and the Florida College System.
The university boards of trustees and presidents must begin the process of switching accreditors after their next reaffirmation or fifth-year review. Changing accreditors is a multi-step process.
- Universities must receive approval from the U.S. Department of Education to switch accreditors. Universities must provide accreditation & preaccreditation materials and reasonable cause.
- Apply for membership with a different accreditor while maintaining SACSCOC accreditation.
- Receive membership from a different accreditor & notify the U.S. Department of Education.
- Maintain accreditation with SACSCOC until the U.S. Department of Education has provided written notice that it acknowledges the change in accreditor.
“I am incredibly proud of the monumental work done by board and university staff to complete this report,” said Brian Lamb, chair of the Board of Governors. “It is now up to the leadership of each university to review these dynamics in light of their distinct missions, goals, and priorities to determine which accreditor will be the best fit for their institution.”
The Board also received the results of the Intellectual Freedom and Viewpoint Diversity 2022 Survey.
For more information, consult the meeting’s official minutes at http://www.flbog.edu/. The Board’s next in-person meeting is September 13-14, 2022, at the University of West Florida in Pensacola.
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Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The System has 12 universities and more than 430,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the System’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the System’s chief executive. For more, visit flbog.edu or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.