Accreditors: No further action against Bob Jones following Weaver's fast-tracked degree

Correction: A previous version of the article incorrectly stated Steve Pettit donated to Ellen Weaver's campaign. The article has been corrected to reflect that.

In Dec. 2022, accreditors asked Greenville's Bob Jones University to submit a monitoring report after they received complaints about State Superintendent Ellen Weaver's six-month master's degree.

The accrediting agency overseeing Bob Jones University told the News Thursday that no further action will be taken against the university after reviewing the monitoring report. The agency provided no further explanation for their decision.

Belle Wheelan, president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, said in Dec. 2022 that accreditors would look at policies that permit the fast track of a degree, program length, completeness of the degree and whether the competencies or student learning outcomes were met.

Weaver began her program after learning that state law required every state superintendent to have a master's degree. The Greenville native, who received her undergraduate degree from Bob Jones University, enrolled for a master's in Educational Leadership. That program advertises a two-year schedule on its webpage.

Randy Page, former spokesperson for Bob Jones University, told the Greenville News back in Oct. 2022 that one could apply for a fast-tracked course in consultation with the faculty program coordinator. The information, he said, was added by theDean's Council to clarify the university's position. It was published in the addendum link for the graduate catalog.

Page, a Republican worker in Greenville County politics, and professors in leadership positions donated to Weaver's campaign. Weaver's defenders, all fellow Republicans, have asserted that the 2018 General Assembly's move to require a master's degree for SC superintendent was disingenuous. The General Assembly said the requirement's intent was to assure the public that the superintendent would have the skills to administer a department.

The close proximity of connections that sprung Weaver to victory in the Nov. 2022 elections showcases the university's preeminence in a culture of conservative Christian networking that penetrates SC politics.

Public scrutiny on the inner workings of the university also rose earlier this year. Pettit submitted his resignation due to alleged conflicts with Board of Trustees Chair John Lewis. A leaked March 21 letter Pettit sent to the Board of Trustees said he would only stay if the board took actions against Lewis. In the letter, Pettit said Lewis allegedly kept information away from him and obstructed a Title IX investigation, which led to a breakdown in communications between the two.

The university's alumni, students and teachers started a petition to oust Lewis from his position. In a week after the news about Pettit's resignation broke, Lewis said he would step down from chairmanship.

Devyani Chhetri reports on SC politics for the Greenville News. Reach her via email at dchhetri@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: No further action against Bob Jones following fast-tracked degree