East Tennessee State University, a doctoral research-intensive institution, has conducted this compliance audit according to the principles and philosophy of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university accepts the responsibility to adhere to all policies and procedures outlined by the Commission on Colleges and fully commits to fulfilling these responsibilities with integrity, honesty, and open accountability. East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is in full agreement with the principles and philosophy of accreditation, including the commitment to providing quality education and scholarship through continuous improvement.
This audit was comprehensive in scope, covering all aspects of the operation of the institution, as outlined in the Commission's Accreditation Review Project. The Compliance Certification, validated by the ETSU President and Accreditation Liaison Officer, attests to compliance with the accreditation requirements of the Commission on Colleges. East Tennessee State University welcomes a careful examination of all aspects of its operations and freely provides access to complete and accurate information pertinent to the operation and governance of the institution. This information includes, but is not limited to, operational documents, policy manuals, reports of accrediting agencies and program reviews, faculty and staff files, and auditing reports. Further, ETSU pledges continuing cooperation with the Commission of Colleges by supplying all requested information and maintaining an open and honest atmosphere supportive of the evaluators' performance of their duties.
Commitment to the search for and sharing of knowledge is reflected in the ETSU Statement of Mission and Purpose. The university affirms the fundamental values of higher education---protecting the free interchange of ideas through academic freedom, promoting curiosity and the desire for learning, stimulating thought and self-reflection, and encouraging an ethical society. The ETSU faculty are practicing scholars, actively engaged in the critical review and dissemination of knowledge and in contributing the findings of their research and creative activities to their professional disciplines, teaching, and the community at large. Driven by its mission of teaching, research, and service, ETSU commits to providing its students with quality education; its faculty with the rights to teach, investigate, and publish freely; and its community with relationships that enhance the intellectual, cultural, political, and social environment of the region.
East Tennessee State University was first accredited in 1927 and continues to maintain recognized standards of practice for achieving quality education. The university does not have units separately accredited by the Commission on Colleges. Since its initial accreditation, ETSU has been an active participant in the activities and decisions of the Commission on Colleges. In seeking reaffirmation of accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, East Tennessee State University
attests to its commitment and intent to comply with the criteria of the College Delegate Assembly;
understands and accepts that the Commission on Colleges, at its discretion, may make known to any agency or member of the public that may request such information, the nature of any action, positive or negative, regarding its status with the Commission; and
agrees to disclose to the Commission on Colleges any and all such information as the Commission may require to carry out its evaluation and accreditation functions.