In December 2007, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) placed Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic on "warning" for six months. The action was taken for "failure to comply with Core Requirement 2.12 (Quality Enhancement Plan) of the Principles of Accreditation."
As of press time, college officials were awaiting notification from SACS as to the specific deficiencies requiring correction.
"We were extremely disappointed," said Sherman President Jon Schwartzbauer, DC. "Obviously, we're going to do whatever we can, use whatever resources available to us, to make sure we fulfill whatever deficiency we might have according to [SACS]. ... We're confident we'll get through."
According to SACS, "The concept of quality enhancement is at the heart of the commission's philosophy of accreditation. Each institution applying for accreditation or renewal of accreditation is required to develop a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Engaging the wider academic community and addressing one or more issues that contribute to institutional improvement, the plan should be focused, succinct and limited in length. The QEP describes a carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a well-defined topic or issue(s) related to enhancing student learning."
In June, the commission will conduct an onsite evaluation, at which time it can determine if any of the following is necessary: removing the warning status and reaffirming accreditation; continuing the warning; placing Sherman on probation; or removing the school from membership entirely. However, the commission believes no further negative action will be necessary.
"The commission feels it's something [the college] can clean up in a short period of time," said Belle Wheelan, president of the Commission on Colleges. "I have great faith that the institution will fix it."
Resources
- Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Actions taken on Dec. 10, 2007.
- "Sherman College Receives Warning From Accreditation Body." Spartanburg Herald Journal (online), Jan. 14, 2008.
