Southern Connecticut State University is holding a weekend meeting for students affected by news that the library science graduate program has lost its national accreditation.
The meeting for current students is Saturday, November 8, two weeks after the school was notified of the decision by the American Library Association. The program had been on probation. The ALA accrediting body withdrew accreditation for several issues, including an outdated curriculum and faculty productivity.
Current students say Southern failed to inform them in a timely manner. The university plans to re-apply for accreditation according to Dr. Gregory Paveza, interim Dean for SCSU's Graduate Studies Program. With the ALA's decision, there is no longer an accredited master's program in library science at any college or university in Connecticut.
Below is the email SCSU sent to students on Monday, November 4.
"Dear Matriculated MLS Students:
"There will be an Informational Meeting for Matriculated MLS Students – Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, 10 am, Adanti Student Center, Room 311.
"Please RSVP to Kathy Muldowney at muldowneyk1@southernct.edu by Wednesday, Nov. 6 so that we can have needed information available at the meeting for individual students attending.
"Southern's Master of Library Science (M.L.S.) program has been accredited by the American Library Association 1972-December 2015. All students currently matriculated into the Master of Library Science (MLS) degree program need to complete all degree requirements before December 2015.
"In an effort to quickly and efficiently help all students draft a plan for completing all requires for award of the MLS degree by December 2015, we will be holding an informational meeting on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, at 10 am, in the Adanti Student Center, Room 311. In order for us to have available information needed to assist individual students, we need to have each student who is planning to attend to RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 6, so that we have time to gather needed information from our records.
"All students currently on a planned program that includes both the MLS degree and Connecticut certification also need to email Mary Brown at brownm6@southernct.edu
"For questions and additional information please contact the MLS Program Coordinator, Arlene Bielefield at bielefielda1@southernct.edu.
"Mary E. Brown, School Media Program Coordinator HakJoon Kim, ILS Chairperson"
