The nation's oldest historically black private university is maintaining its accreditation. Wilberforce University has been fighting to keep its status for more than year after a review found sub-par academic programs, severe cuts to faculty and staff, a $9.7 million deficit and low enrollment.
In a statement, the university says it was notified Thursday that the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has lifted the Show-Cause Order it placed on the school in June, 2014.
The release states, "The Higher Learning Commission has now placed Wilberforce under a standard path, meaning the school is now fully operating under best practices, consistent with all other institutions that are accredited by the rules and standards of the HLC."
The HLC report also suggests "The current administration has created realistic, financial projections which will help the University and its future plans. That was purposed by a pledged, unrestricted gift of $4 million, confirmed during a meeting with the AME Church.”
Wilberforce President Algeania Warren Freeman says the entire university is "deeply grateful to everyone who supported (the) efforts to bring Wilberforce University into full compliance."
She also thanks the HLC "for helping the institution achieve its goal of academic excellence so that the institution can continue to prepare great leaders for the global community."
There are currently 680 graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at the university near Xenia.
