FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 11, 2007

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724-738-2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU art department draws approval of national accrediting body

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. − Slippery Rock University’s art department has been granted associate status in the National Association of Schools of Art and Design following application and an on-site visit that resulted in high praise for the department’s academic programs.

           The first step toward full membership status was recently announced and is expected to follow after five years of monitoring and a second on-site program review. 

           NASAD, founded in 1944 and headquartered in Reston, Va., is an organization of schools, colleges and universities with approximately 248 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials. 

           “This is indeed an honor for the entire University and especially the art department and the College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts. As our faculty, staff and students know, Slippery Rock University continues to methodically increase its national accreditations as way of increasing the value of a Slippery Rock University education. This accreditation is another feather in our cap. It points to the dedication and expertise of our faculty. All are to be congratulated,” said SRU President Robert Smith.

           “I too congratulate the faculty and those involved in preparing our peer-review report. Congratulations certainly go to Tom Como, department chair, and his colleagues. With this latest accreditation milestone achieved, all four arts programs in our college − theater, dance, music and now art − are nationally accredited. This achievement shows the dedication to our mission,” said William McKinney, dean of SRU’s College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts.

           Como said the peer-review process in his nine-member department began more than a year ago and included a complete evaluation of each program offered by the department. “The overall peer evaluation report found our programs, instruction, facilities, students and quality of student work for those involved in the bachelors of fine arts and the bachelors of art degrees to be comprehensive and high-quality,” he said. In addition, the report recommended additional, permanent gallery space, a plan already being considered as part of a new fine and performing arts center.  

           “Other Pennsylvania higher institutions with NASAD membership include Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Art and its School of Design, Philadelphia University, Drexel University, Pennsylvania State University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Millersville, Clarion and Kutztown universities.

           Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.

PN, PGN, WPN, PR