Erskine College remains accredited following SACSCOC’s annual meeting

Erskine College remains accredited following the December 2024 annual meeting of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), but the institution will continue on sanction.

In December 2022, SACSCOC placed Erskine College on Warning status due to the institution’s board oversight and financial position during the second half of its previous accreditation cycle (2015-2021). Over the last two years, Erskine has made tremendous progress, finishing the 2023-24 fiscal year with its best overall financial performance in 22 years.

Erskine College presented its second monitoring report to SACSCOC in December 2024, demonstrating its diligent board oversight and recent positive financial performance. The accreditor recognized Erskine’s improved board oversight and found the institution to be compliant with that core requirement of accreditation. Although Erskine demonstrated positive results in every required financial measure, SACSCOC nonetheless determined that it is necessary for the institution to show a two-year trend of positive results.

Based on accreditation rules pertaining to sanctions, an institution can only remain on Warning status for a maximum of two years. For this reason, SACSCOC continued Erskine’s accreditation for Good Cause but also placed the institution on Probation for Good Cause.

“While we are very disappointed with SACSCOC’s decision, we accept the challenge to continue to demonstrate the institution’s financial stability, building on the performance we have achieved, particularly over the last 18 months,” says Erskine President Dr. Steve Adamson. “The progress Erskine has made in my three years at the institution is unparalleled and truly remarkable. We have worked hard to correct long-standing financial problems, many of which developed over a 15-year period.

“Our accreditor has determined that it wants to see our current positive trend continue through the 2024-25 fiscal year before removing the institution from sanction. Considering the changes we have implemented in sound financial stewardship, we have no doubt that, through God’s provision and the continued support of our donors, we will again finish the year in a strong financial position and have our accreditation reaffirmed next December,” the president says. “I believe Erskine’s best years are ahead of us.”

Erskine College will present its third monitoring report to SACSCOC in December 2025.