AAA Board Votes Extension of University's Accreditation; Schedules Interim Visit in 2012

On April 4, 2011, in Silver Spring, Maryland, the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) Board met for its annual Spring meeting.  Their main agenda was to review reports of AAA visiting teams and their recommendations for respective Seventh-day Adventist universities and colleges of the North American Division and the General Conference.  After lengthy discussion, the AAA Board decided to not accept the recommendation of the 10-member AAA team that visited the University in November 2011.  Instead, the Board has announced that they are extending our University's current accreditation through December 31, 2012.

La Sierra University has taken a number of affirmative steps toward resolution of the controversy regarding how creation and evolution are taught in our classes. The AAA Board believed that it is necessary for more time to transpire in order for the University to demonstrate our determination to put in place the steps that the faculty and administration have agreed with the La Sierra University Board of Trustees to implement. This AAA action offers us time to demonstrate our ability to fulfill our commitments, while retaining our status as a fully-accredited Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher education.

The AAA Board affirmed the steps that the university is taking.  The visiting team report indicated that we should expect an interim visit from the AAA prior to December 2012, and that has now been formalized in the voted action.

The university's faculty, administration and trustees are already working together to ensure that we provide the outstanding Adventist education desired by our students, our constituents, and our Church.  As we continue to refine our understanding of God's ways and our ability to teach them effectively, we solicit your prayers and suggestions, the prayerful support of our constituents, as well as the counsel and assistance of our sister institutions and church organizations.

PR Contact: Larry Becker
Executive Director of University Relations
La Sierra University
Riverside, California
951.785.2460 (voice)