College appeals accreditation decision
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THE OMBUDSMAN
Jul 9, 2010, 7:35:20 PM7/9/10
to Tamarind Tree Lime
"Atlantic Union College will lose its accreditation by the fall
semester unless the financially troubled Seventh-day Adventist college
wins an appeal it has filed with the New England Association of
Schools and Colleges, the accrediting body.
The college was placed on its most recent two-year probation by the
association in March 2008, for financial reasons.
In spite of improving financial conditions, according to Clarence E.
“Chip” Ates, AUC’s vice president of academic affairs, college
officials were unable to convince the association that it has long-
term financial stability, and filed an appeal last month.
Mr. Ates said Tuesday that with a new executive team in place, some of
the college’s debt has been paid off and it is operating in the black
now.
“The school is on its way up again, but it wasn’t enough for the
association,” he said.
The college, he said, retains its accreditation and financial
eligibility through the appeal process, which is expected to take a
few months.
The college is open for summer adult education classes, registration
for fall, and other business. Mr. Ates said planning for the fall
semester is under way. No course credits received or degrees are
threatened.
The appeal was filed with Bedford-based NEASC by College President
Norman W. Wendth on June 30. According to the association’s website,
college officials have 15 days from the filing to submit supporting
evidence, and NEASC has 60 days to hold a hearing on the appeal.
Barbara E. Brittingham, director of the association’s Commission on
Institutions of Higher Education, said yesterday the college has been
very cooperative, and is working closely with NEASC.
An association statement on the college’s probationary status released
in 2008, after a special visit to AUC in September 2007, says AUC was
placed on probation because it does not meet the commission’s standard
for financial resources, one of 11 standards required for
accreditation. About 10 years ago, under the previous administration,
the college did not meet several standards, including those on
curriculum and student services. Mr. Ates, who is teaching a course at
the college this summer, said the reasons are strictly financial this
time.
Acknowledging that the college has been struggling financially for
“quite some time,” Mr. Ates stressed that private and faith-based
colleges have to rely on tuition and donations from the denomination
for support — something that wanes in a poor economy.
“We were able to pull ourselves out of the red in one year, and now we
need to build up reserves,” he said.
A large financial gift expected from an alumnus last year did not
materialize.
Mr. Ates said if the appeal is unsuccessful, there is a backup plan to
explore mergers with other Adventist colleges and universities. A 2008
proposal to merge or partner with Loma Linda University, an Adventist
university in California, fell through.
In 2007, when Mr. Wendth took over, he announced a new focus for the
128-year-old college, which would involve more programs on social
action and Christian leadership rather than liberal arts. The college
cut back on associate’s degrees, but started offering several one-year
certificate programs.
The college’s forte has long been its nursing program, and it is
accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation
Commission. AUC’s nursing class carried a 100 percent pass rate on the
state registered nurse board exam, placing it among the top nursing
schools."
Source: http://www.telegram.com/article/20100708/NEWS/7080777
See also: http://news.adventist.org/2010/07/barring-appeal-atlan.html
semester unless the financially troubled Seventh-day Adventist college
wins an appeal it has filed with the New England Association of
Schools and Colleges, the accrediting body.
The college was placed on its most recent two-year probation by the
association in March 2008, for financial reasons.
In spite of improving financial conditions, according to Clarence E.
“Chip” Ates, AUC’s vice president of academic affairs, college
officials were unable to convince the association that it has long-
term financial stability, and filed an appeal last month.
Mr. Ates said Tuesday that with a new executive team in place, some of
the college’s debt has been paid off and it is operating in the black
now.
“The school is on its way up again, but it wasn’t enough for the
association,” he said.
The college, he said, retains its accreditation and financial
eligibility through the appeal process, which is expected to take a
few months.
The college is open for summer adult education classes, registration
for fall, and other business. Mr. Ates said planning for the fall
semester is under way. No course credits received or degrees are
threatened.
The appeal was filed with Bedford-based NEASC by College President
Norman W. Wendth on June 30. According to the association’s website,
college officials have 15 days from the filing to submit supporting
evidence, and NEASC has 60 days to hold a hearing on the appeal.
Barbara E. Brittingham, director of the association’s Commission on
Institutions of Higher Education, said yesterday the college has been
very cooperative, and is working closely with NEASC.
An association statement on the college’s probationary status released
in 2008, after a special visit to AUC in September 2007, says AUC was
placed on probation because it does not meet the commission’s standard
for financial resources, one of 11 standards required for
accreditation. About 10 years ago, under the previous administration,
the college did not meet several standards, including those on
curriculum and student services. Mr. Ates, who is teaching a course at
the college this summer, said the reasons are strictly financial this
time.
Acknowledging that the college has been struggling financially for
“quite some time,” Mr. Ates stressed that private and faith-based
colleges have to rely on tuition and donations from the denomination
for support — something that wanes in a poor economy.
“We were able to pull ourselves out of the red in one year, and now we
need to build up reserves,” he said.
A large financial gift expected from an alumnus last year did not
materialize.
Mr. Ates said if the appeal is unsuccessful, there is a backup plan to
explore mergers with other Adventist colleges and universities. A 2008
proposal to merge or partner with Loma Linda University, an Adventist
university in California, fell through.
In 2007, when Mr. Wendth took over, he announced a new focus for the
128-year-old college, which would involve more programs on social
action and Christian leadership rather than liberal arts. The college
cut back on associate’s degrees, but started offering several one-year
certificate programs.
The college’s forte has long been its nursing program, and it is
accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation
Commission. AUC’s nursing class carried a 100 percent pass rate on the
state registered nurse board exam, placing it among the top nursing
schools."
Source: http://www.telegram.com/article/20100708/NEWS/7080777
See also: http://news.adventist.org/2010/07/barring-appeal-atlan.html
THE OMBUDSMAN
Jul 9, 2010, 10:29:37 PM7/9/10
to Tamarind Tree Lime
"Moving away from health concerns, Norman Wendth emailed me yesterday
and asked that I use whatever little sphere of influence I have to
dispel some rumors- He asked that I inform you that A) AUC has
accreditation at this time and will for the duration of the summer at
least... B) The hoped-for $7,000,000 donation HAS NOT been received
yet and... C) There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that the
college has been or is going to be sold to a gambling casino. (He
expressed that he's incredulous at that last one!)"
Source:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Lancaster-MA/The-College-Church-of-Seventh-day-Adventists-at-Atlantic-Union-College/105998043916?v=app_2347471856#!/note.php?note_id=462991738205
and asked that I use whatever little sphere of influence I have to
dispel some rumors- He asked that I inform you that A) AUC has
accreditation at this time and will for the duration of the summer at
least... B) The hoped-for $7,000,000 donation HAS NOT been received
yet and... C) There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that the
college has been or is going to be sold to a gambling casino. (He
expressed that he's incredulous at that last one!)"
Source:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Lancaster-MA/The-College-Church-of-Seventh-day-Adventists-at-Atlantic-Union-College/105998043916?v=app_2347471856#!/note.php?note_id=462991738205
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