Dear Southernites and Friends:
Like many of you, I am disappointed about some of the events that occurred at our university last week. Southern has many external challenges that have caused great harm to it. However, some of the recent wounds have been self-inflicted. Friday afternoon, two Southern students who work near my office downtown, stopped me and asked if I could tell them what was going on with the infamous "video scandal" and the SACSCOC accreditation warnings. The look in the eyes of these young men described what so many are feeling: fear, concern and embarrassment.
We have too many good things going on at Southern only to get mired down in unnecessary controversy. It is important that the Board of Supervisors and the Administration continue to take decisive action to rid us of these problems, and craft a solution for resolving the deficiencies identified in the SACSCOC report. Alumni were comforted late Friday to know that the Administration was investigating the matter and taking action to protect our institution and the students it serves. Our alumni are here and will stand by Southern University. However, anything less than a strong, clear plan will cause us to hemorrhage students and supporters of this institution. We look forward to receiving more details about the university's path forward to address the challenges revealed last week. All of America is watching. Every mother, father, public official, aspiring student and current student is watching.
I took an oath to defend this institution and support its mission. While the video incident is disappointing, the SACSCOC accreditation issue is the most serious of these negative reports. The warnings relate to a number of SACSCOC principles and standards, including faculty, institutional effectiveness, student achievement, and student complaints. The consequences of failure to resolve these issues are dire. Accreditation impacts federal funding, student enrollment, and ultimately, financial viability. I look forward to lending a hand with as much of the Jaguar Nation as possible to help our Alma Mater resolve these challenges.
Thanks to all of you who are rallying to raise awareness of these issues, and those of you who are rallying in support of our Alma Mater. Our resolve has been tested the last several days. I trust we will not fail our students and will stand boldly by Our Dear Southern University. Please continue join us at www.sualumni.org.
Sincerely Serving Southern,
Preston
Preston J. Castille, Jr., Esq.
National President
