Area School Gets Off Probation

Alabama Mobile Bishop State keeps its accreditation.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Tue, December 09, 2008 - 8:32 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, December 09, 2008 - 10:01 pm CST

Students at Bishop State Community College in Mobile are breathing a sigh of relief and looking to the future.
The college has officially been removed from probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Bishop State could have lost its accreditation, and that would have meant students credits would not transfer to other schools.
Student James Craig said, "I think that's really great because now I know that all my classes will be able to transfer. I would hate to have to start all over again."
Other students were glad to hear the decision, too.
Requel Woodard said, "I'm very happy about that. I really am. That means I won't have to re-do any of my classes later on."
Tonya Goldman said, "I think its good for the students that have already gone here and they have established their credits and if they choose to move on to a four year college, then their credits will transfer."
No accreditation would also have meant students would no longer qualify for federal financial aid money.
Bishop State was put on probation two years ago for financial, academic and other problems.
But state education officials hired a major financial advisor to review internal procedures.
Student Alexander Carlisle is planning to get associate degrees in computer networking and information and then get a bachelor and masters degree.
He said, "I need an Algebra credit from here to transfer back to Georgia to get my networking degree, so that's great that they transfer."
Bishop State was first put on probation in December 2006 and that status was extended in 2007.

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