Virginia State University, despite shrinking enrollment, has secured re-accreditation for a full 10 years, it was announced Tuesday.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaffirmed VSU’s accreditation at its annual meeting Tuesday in New Orleans after finding the university complied with all of its standards.

The decision came three years after VSU spent a year on SACS’ warning list.

“Accreditation is a very important confirmation of a university’s academic stature and quality of academic programs and student services,” VSU President Makola M. Abdullah stated in reporting the good news.

“This affirmation speaks volumes of the dedication of our board, administration, faculty and staff in providing our students with a quality education,“ he continued.

Dr. Abdullah also praising Provost Donald E. Palm III, and Vice Provost Tia Minnis for leading the accreditation effort.

He stated that a significant part of VSU’s 10-year accreditation process involved SACS’ review and approval of the school’s new initiative known as BOLT, or Becoming Outstanding Leaders of Tomorrow. To be implemented next fall, BOLT is designed to equip undergraduates with leadership skills and experiences, Dr. Abdullah stated.

Even with the high marks from SACS, VSU is struggling to attract students as it reported enrolling this fall the fewest number of students in 18 years.

The school reported to the State Council of Higher Education a 2018 fall enrollment of 3,996 undergraduates and 389 graduate students.

The total fall enrollment of 4,385 students represented a 7 percent drop from 2017 when VSU reported enrolling 4,713 undergraduate and graduate students and the smallest total enrollment since 2000 when 4,353 students signed up for classes.

The school’s enrollment peaked at 6,208 in 2012 and has fallen steadily since. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS