SACS Lifts Auburn's Academic Probation

Auburn's accreditation is no longer in jeopardy. Interim President Ed Richardson and Gov. Bob Riley should be commended for leading Auburn through this frustrating process.

"If I had only one victory this weekend, and I had to choose between the SEC championship and SACS, I would have chosen SACS," [Interim President Ed]Richardson said. "It was that important to me."

Here is Governor Riley's statement on the matter:

"The lifting of probation is an acknowledgement that there has been a real change at Auburn University. Dr. Richardson’s leadership, the changes in the way the Board of Trustees operates and the new members that continue to be added to the Board have all helped us reach this important goal. Now Auburn University has the opportunity to confidently move forward as an outstanding institution of higher learning."

People from outside were called in to review board of trustees practices.

Independent reviews of Auburn University board of trustees practices appear to have helped clear the university of charges of micromanagement by two members ofits board.

The reviews, released Wednesday, were conducted by two law firms and a former chairman of one of the largest competitors of Colonial BancGroup, of which trustee Bobby Lowder is CEO.

Detailed letters to Auburn University interim President Ed Richardson from Tuskegee attorney Fred Gray, former Alabama National Bancorporation chairman John J. McMahon and attorney William A. Weary of Washington, D.C., concluded that the board's behavior was "consistent with national expectations and practice."

Another interesting note from the News article: Ed Richardson reiterated that he is not a candidate for permanent President of AU.