Evening star., 1953-11-26
Gu Engineering
School Acts 10
Regain Credits
Accreditution Lost
Lost Yeur Because
Of Equipment

gain the schools accreditation,
which was lost a year ago, it
was learned today.
Plans include spending large
sum on new equipment.
The loss of accreditation,
which occurred following an in
spection by an engineering Or
ganization in the spring of 1852,
was not disclosed publicly until
today.
Students in the school have
been aware of the situation,
however. About so of the schools
$50 students dropped out last
fall as a result, Msgr. Jerome D.
Hannah, the university'S vice
rector, revealed today.
Dean Resigned.
The schools dean, DR.. An
thony j. Scullen, resigned his
post last June, but MSgr. Han
nah said this was voluntary. DR..
Scullen is still professor in
the school.
The Rev. Francis E. Fox, pro-
fessor of physics, is acting as
dean of the school.
Msgr. Hannah said today the
Engineers Council for Profess
sional Development withdrew it's
accreditation of five of the en-
gineering schools six depart
ments last fall, mainly because,
in the councils opinion, the
school lacked up-to-date equip
ment.
The architecture department
was not affected. The depart
ments involved are mechanical,
civil, electrical, aeronautical and
chemical engineering.
Earlier Warning.
All the country's major engi-
neering schools are inspected pc
riodically by visiting committees
of the council and the councils
accreditation is regarded as i'm
portant IN the engineering pro-
feSsion, MSgr. Hannah said.
An inspecting committee had
warned the university about con-
ditions in the engineering school
two years earlier. Last years
visit. which produced the un-
favorable report, was a follow
up check, Msgr. Hannah said.
MSgr. Hannah emphasized
that the councils action did not
affect the general academic ac-
creditation of the university. The
university continues to be fully
accredited by the Middle States
Association of Colleges and Sec
ondary Schools, and is a member
of the Association of American
Universities. he pointed out.
At the time of the councils
action the university formed a
special Advisory Committee to
deal with the situation. Under
the guidance of this group, the
university already has intro
duced a new pre-engineering
program under which beginning
engineering students for the first
two years study in the College of
Arts and Sciences, instead of the
engineering school.
Other Schools Inspected.
The advisory committee also
has visited other leading engi-
neering schools in order to make
plans for further action, Msgr.
Hannah said.
The major action will be the
presentation of a budget for new
equipment to the univerSity'S
Executive Committee in January,
the vice rector said. The amount
has not been set definitely, he
said. but he indicated it will be
in six figures.
Faculty committees are work
ing on reviSions in the courses
of study and facilities, he added.
No further major changes in
courses are planned. however,
the vice rector said. The uni
verSity hopes to have the ac-
creditation restored by next fall,
he added.
Engineering students were in
formed of the facts affecting the
accreditation withdrawal at a
meeting on January 10, Msgr.
Hannah said. He said the lack
of accreditation may mean some
inconvenience to graduates, in
the way of taking extra eXami-
nations in some States, but in
other States they must take such
examinations anyway, he added.
Graduates Being Placed.
Msgr. Hannah emphasized
that the university's Placement
Bureau has had no difficulty in
finding jobs for graduates, des-
pite the accreditation loss. The
office normally places about SO
per cent of the engineering
graduates, he said.
Since the report of the
council" MSgr. Hannah said,
1.-The university has proceeded
as rapidly as possible to con-
form to their recommendations
in the light of the best advice
available. The School of Engi-
neering is one of our oldest and
largest schools and has enjoyed
an international reputation for
high standards in the past.
$50 far as the School of Engi-
neering is concerned, the uni
verSity is confident that its grad
yates are fully equipped to meet
the most exacting professional
requirements. However, we prize
the distinction afforded by ac-
creditation with the Engineers
Council for Professional Devel-
opment, and we are speeding
every appropriate action looking