Bennett College has lost its accreditation despite earning millions from a widely publicized fundraising effort.
The historically Black women’s college originally lost its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) on December 9 but appealed the decision, according to WXII.
The Appeals Committee upheld the decision and snatched the college’s credentials on February 18, according to FOX8. In its decision, the committee wrote the HBCU had failed “to show that the institution possesses resources demonstrating a stable financial base to support the mission and scope of programs and services."
The SACSCOC publicly announced its decision on Friday. In that announcement, the Appeals Committee said it did not consider “additional financial information made available after December 9, 2018,” meaning the $9.5 million raised from the fundraiser did not matter.
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Additionally, the SACSCOC claimed Bennett isn't eligible for probation, as the organization argues the school has already exhausted its two-year probationary period.
The update was a blow for Bennett supporters:
After allllllllllll that money Bennett College pulled in and campaigned for, they still got left on read by the committee. Geeeezus that stings
— Señor Brown (@MasterAgenda68) February 22, 2019
I just don’t understand… in 5 weeks Bennett College was able to gather 9 million dollars which was more than expected & SACCS just came in to screw them over. I’d like to hear an explanation.
— maybe:ashna???? (@___Ashbash) February 22, 2019
White supremacy has just shown its ENTIRE ass. Bennett College we are standing with you!!!!
— Rebecca A. Wilcox (@_Rawilcox) February 22, 2019
This UNC system really sucks. They made Bennett College raise all of this money by a deadline that almost seemed unrealistic, but they raised MORE than what they were required to raise just for them to deny them anyway. This system is not built for us. Something needs to be done
— alexus (@alexusbrownx) February 22, 2019
Bennett College lost their accreditation appeal. Smh.
Black History Month is canceled. We gotta circle back in 2021. Hopefully Trump will be OOO.
— Mike H. (@SirMikeH) February 22, 2019
The school was able to raise money from 11,000 donors after it went public with its accreditation troubles in December, as Blavity reported.
There is still hope for the institution, however. Bennett President Phyllis Worthy Dawkins once said the school would find another accreditor if it was dropped by the SACSCOC.
Now, check these out:
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