Evening star., 1954-10-16
Regents Review
Status Issue
AT maryland
School Must Make
Improvements to
Maintain Standing

4AIC O1AtN40AtJ Va Wal LoAAO
must make certain improve
ments within two years If it is
to retain it's status as an ac-
credited institution of higher
learning.
So said its Board of Regents
yesterday in reafirrning a deci-
sion not to make public the con-
troversial eValuation accreditine
report of the Middle States As
sociation of Colleges.
In a carefully worded, Az
page statement issued at College
Park late yesterday. the uni
versity Board of Regents re-
vealed that the associations
Commission on Institutions OF
Higher Education was "con-
cerned" about Maryland be-
cause Of:
"Q) The highly centralized
| nature of the administration;
CD the lack of proper status OF
the faculty and of the deans in
the organization and operation
of the institution, and particu-
| larly the lack of faculty partici-
patton in the formulation of ed
ucational policies; 90 library;
(4) status of the School of Medi-
cine, and (5) intercollegiate ath-
letics."
President for 18 Years.
DR.. H. c. Byrd was president Of
Maryland for 18 years until he
resigned last spring to enter the
Democratic primary. He has said
repeatedly that he stands or falls
on his record as university ad-
ministrator.
The regents refused to make
public the 163-page report OF
the higher education commits
sion, reafirming an earlier de-
cision to keep the controversial,
survey confidential, "in accord
ance with custom"
The regents statement, re.
leased without comment by then
or by University President Viii
son H. Elki11S, said the Middle
States Association has voted tx
defer a decision on renewing the
university's accreditation unit
it's meeting in April, 1856.
Listed as Accredited.
Maryland was listed as an &C.
credited university in the associ'
atoms catalog, published Sep
tember l, the statement pointed
out, and will remain fully &C.
credited while the universit!
makes certain improvements.
The statement said the accredi'
tation commission was "sure tha'
it lies within the power of thu
institution to remedy the de.
f1ciencies. ."SiSi t.
The associations report be-
came a hot political issue be-
tween DR.. Byrd and Gov. Nickel.
din, his Republican opponent
when Arthur Sherwood, Repub'
lican candidate for Congress!
from the 4th district, charged
last week that the university
Medical School was ION proba'
ton"
The Star later disclosed tina
the associations refusal to re-
new accreditation applied to tn,
entire university.
Under Maryland law, gradu
ates of non-accredited medica
schools are not permitted to tax,
the State examination for a Ii
cense to practice medicine, ;
university official said.
Corrective Steps Taken.
The university already ha
taken steps to put into effec
recommendations made by tn
association, the statement con
tinued, and is now removing
deficiencies or correcting allege'
weaknesses"
The regents drafted the state
ment released yesterday at a Az
hour meeting Thursday at Uni
versity Hospital in Baltimore
Judge William P. Cole, boar,
chairman, said the statemen
could not be released then "be
cause it is at such length"
University officials said yester
day that DR.. ElkinS and Judg
Cole would not be available TO
comment over the week end be
cause of other pressing bushes.
Aspress conference with the uni
verSity president was to be Sched