Pohl appointed to SACS Commission on Colleges

UNT President Norval F. Pohl has accepted an appointment extended by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to fill an unexpired term.

Pohl's term began immediately and he will serve through December 2005. At that time, he will be eligible for election to a three-year term as a commissioner.

"Peer-based accreditation is the key to objectively measuring academic quality and encouraging continuous improvement. It is the single most important process that confirms U.S. higher education as the best in the world," Pohl says.

The Commission on Colleges, one of three branches of SACS, is the recognized regional academic accrediting body in the 11 southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia).

In addition, it accredits Latin American institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees.

As commissioner, Pohl will serve on the 77-member body representing approximately 780 institutions that are members of the Commission on Colleges. Commissioners determine policy, review and make decisions regarding accreditation of institutions and do the initial review of changes or modifications to the commission's criteria. All commissioners are assigned to serve on a Compliance and Reports committee.

The commission is the representative body of the College Delegate Assembly and is charged with conducting accreditation processes. To gain or maintain accreditation, all constituent colleges and universities must comply with the standards set by SACS.

Pohl has served as president of UNT since October 2000. He is the 13th president in the university's history. Before taking over the presidency, he was UNT provost and executive vice president.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a master of business administration degree in personnel management from California State University, Fresno. He earned a doctorate in quantitative systems from Arizona State University.

BY RODDY WOLPER rwolper@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Six faculty recognized at UNT's annual Honors Day celebration
• UNT students win top awards in Texas broadcast competition
• Five UNT students, one alumna receive Hispanic Scholarship Fund awards
• Administrators answer faculty questions during town hall meeting
• Staff awards presented at sack lunch
• Staff Council hears reports about Enterprise Information System, Star Performer award
• Summer camps for children planned at UNT
• UNT prepares to welcome area youth for National Youth Sports Program

homepage