Alumni & Friends
of Guilford College
Building the strongest bond among and between Alumni and Guilford College
AFOG statement on SACSCOC action involving Guilford College
12/12/2024
Alumni and Friends of Guilford College (AFOG) encourages the College’s Board of Trustees and Administration to work transparently and in partnership with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors to achieve the financial requirements to continue accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges (SACSCOC).
Campus administrators should meet these requirements while respecting the programs and people who make Guilford an exceptional and thriving college. The recent decision by Maria Rosales to resign as Provost and return to the faculty raises concerns that the college must make significant improvements with regards to financial transparency and integrity. Clear expectations for accurate accounting and reporting must be a high priority. Benchmarks for Advancement’s fundraising goals should be shared with College supporters, in addition to progress being made. AFOG is confident the requirements set by SACSCOC are achievable, if the College draws on the Quaker principles which must serve as cornerstones for both education and operations.
AFOG understands that tuition alone does not cover the operating and reserve funding required for sound financial and physical plant sustainability. Guilford is not unique in this way. Among the requirements set out by SACSCOC is meeting enrollment targets and reducing the College’s tuition discount rate. Alumni have already been working via GAAN (Guilford Admissions Ambassador Network) to improve the enrollment picture over the last three years. If you know a student who would thrive on campus, please contact AFOG at guilfordalumni@gmail.com so we can begin conversations with them.
Kyle Farmbry noted in his comments that the college is working on strategies to tap the adult education market. Adult students contribute to the classroom and the larger Guilford community in unique and significant ways. AFOG fully supports providing adult education opportunities at formerly successful levels.
We welcome opportunities to continue partnering with Guilford’s students, faculty, staff, and Administration in reaching these goals. AFOG expects consistent, regular communications with alumni so we can effectively take action to support the College’s efforts.
