Posted: Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The United Methodist Church University Senate has reaffirmed without qualification the affiliation of the University of Evansville with the United Methodist Church. UE has maintained a strong relationship with the church for over a century and a half, since the founding of the University.

This reaffirmation of affiliation was preceded by an independent, in-depth review of UE and a campus visit by a team from the University Senate. The church reviews the University every 10 years, within a year of the school’s reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The United Methodist Senate team examined documentation for UE’s HLC reaffirmation, which was granted in early 2016, as part of its own review.

“We are very gratified that both the HLC and the United Methodist Church University Senate reports produced excellent outcomes,” said UE president Thomas A. Kazee. “It’s an affirmation of UE’s commitment and success in achieving its mission. It’s always good to have our quality and commitment affirmed by an external accrediting body.”

Criteria for the United Methodist Church’s evaluation include: Institutional integrity, program quality, sound management and financial health, and church relatedness.

The Senate team reported that UE effectively represents the historic Methodist tradition of making high-quality education broadly available.

“UE values its historic identity as a Methodist-related university,” said Tamara Gieselman, UE chaplain. “Although the University is independent in its governance, its relationship with the United Methodist Church is one of sacred significance.”

The University Senate’s review praised the school’s strong academic programs and dedicated faculty, the robust study abroad experience that it offers its students, and the University’s emphasis on service learning.

In addition, it noted the University’s UE Guarantee, which assures: four-year graduation, or fifth year is paid for by UE, mentorship by faculty committed to student success, scholarships to 100 percent of all full-time freshmen, access for every student to at least one internship and the opportunity for more, and the opportunity for every student to study abroad. (Some restrictions apply, and more information about the UE Guarantee can be found online.)

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