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Thursday, July 22, 2010

Atlantic Union College will lose its accreditation


Thursday, July 8, 2010


College appeals accreditation decision


By Karen Nugent TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

LANCASTER — 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/7080777/1003/RSS01&source=rss

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