wfn.org | College May Lose Accreditation

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (211
notes).

Note 208 by UMNS on July 11, 1997 at 16:04 Eastern (4911 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                           396(10-21-71B){208}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             July 11, 1997
 
Accrediting body considers dropping
United Methodist college in Kentucky

     
                 by United Methodist News Service

     Sue Bennett College, a century old United Methodist-related
institution in London, Ky., is fighting for its life after
learning that it may lose its accreditation by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools.
     On June 25, the association cited Sue Bennett for ongoing
financial and administrative problems and recommended that the
college be removed from its list of approved members.
     In wake of the association's recommendation, Paul Bunnell,
the president of Sue Bennett for the past six years, resigned,
effective July 31. During a July 8 meeting of the college's board
of trustees, his resignation was accepted, and he was placed on a
leave of absence. 
     The board named James E. Cheek, vice president of academic
affairs, to serve as college president during the interim. Bunnell
could not be reached for comment.
     The Rev. Jackson Brewer, board chairman, said the problems
facing the college are "multidirectional" but said the primary
issue relates to the school's "inability to refinance long-term
debt." He said the trustees believe the mission of the school is
more vital than ever before: "to provide quality higher education
in a Christian environment for those students who could most
benefit from a smaller personal environment." 
     To avoid immediate revocation of its license to confer
degrees, the school has begun a 45-day appeal process. The college
retains membership in the Southern Association until that process
is concluded. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the school is no
longer eligible to receive federal, state or local funds.
     The school, which has an enrollment of approximately 405
students, is a mission project of the United Methodist Board of
Global Ministries. The land and buildings are owned by the Board's
Women's Division, which allows the school to use the property at
no cost. The agency is not involved in the college's academic or
administrative operations.
     According to the Rev. Dennis Campbell, Durham, N.C.,
president of the University Senate of the United Methodist Church,
Sue Bennett will be removed from a list of approved United
Methodist-related colleges if its accreditation by the Southern
Association is revoked. The senate is an elected body of 25
academic professionals which determines schools, colleges,
universities and theological schools that have a relationship with
the United Methodist Church. 
     According to the United Methodist Book of Discipline, "only
institutions affiliated with the United Methodist Church through
approval by the senate shall be eligible for funding by annual
conferences, General Conference, general boards, or other agencies
of the United Methodist Church." 
     Under church law, a school that loses membership in a
regional accrediting body must be removed from the church's list
of approved United Methodist-related colleges and can no longer
receive church funds. 
     Officials of the churchwide Board of Global Ministries,
headquartered in New York, announced July 10 their support of the
decision by Sue Bennett's trustees to appeal the decision by the
Southern Association.
     Connie Takamine, treasurer of the board's Women's Division
expressed confidence that the school will be able to overcome its
problems and continue its educational mission. "We have worked
closely with the school officials to avert any forced closing
because the school has had such an enormously positive impact on
the lives of thousands of people," she said.
     She noted that the agency had supported the educational
mission of Sue Bennett since it opened 100 years ago and had given
the school more than a half million dollars during the past five
years.
     If the appeal process with the Southern Association is
unsuccessful, the board can no longer support the school and the
Women's Division will reclaim the property.
     "Unfortunately, we cannot use church dollars to bail the
school out of its financial difficulties," said board executive
Deborah Bass. She said school officials have been assured that the
school can continue to operate on the property for as long as it
operates as a member of Southern Association. "There are few
things more important than providing an opportunity for education,
as Sue Bennett college officials are committed to doing ... We
will always support that mission, within the guidelines of United
Methodist Church doctrine," Bass said. 
                               # # #

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