I am extremely pleased that SACS' Commission on Colleges has today removed Auburn University's probationary status. Clearing this university's name with regard to its accreditation status has been my top priority since assuming the interim presidency at Auburn. I have been confident all along that we would hear the news we've heard today and I hope that we can now move Auburn toward better days.

I am appreciative of the efforts of all those who have worked extremely hard to allow us to achieve full compliance with the SACS standards. Most importantly, I am appreciative of each member of the Board of Trustees, all of whom were willing to take any and all steps I asked them to take in order to have this university's reputation completely restored through the removal of probation, and to Gov. Bob Riley, who has supported all of our efforts and selflessly made himself available to meet with SACS on several occasions. I also want to thank all members of the Auburn family --- administration, faculty, staff and students --- who keep the mission of Auburn foremost in their minds and activities.

With this episode behind us, it is now time for all of us to work together and to renew our efforts toward making Auburn everything that it needs to be --- an outstanding learning environment for young minds, a leader in innovative research and an important economic engine for the state of Alabama. As interim president, I have already identified six top-priority university initiatives that I believe will move us toward a brighter future for Auburn and I look forward toward working with many of you as we shepherd those initiatives toward completion.

Finally, I am convinced that if all Auburn people put aside whatever differences may have existed in the past and concentrate on working together for the common good, this university's future is filled with promise. I am further convinced that, by working together, we can make Auburn more attractive to the top-quality president this university deserves.

Ed Richardson
AU Interim President