NMC gets another WASC warning

Where is the Northern Marianas College headed?

For the second time, NMC received an accreditation warning status—this time from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges-Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities—over unresolved financial woes and inability to comply with certain standards.

The warning has put the college’s four-year elementary education program—its only baccalaureate program—at risk.

“The Senior College Commission is deeply concerned about the institution’s ongoing capacity and ability to sustain the quality of its academic programs, especially the baccalaureate education program,” said CSCU executive director Ralph A. Wolff in a July 2, 2004 letter to then NMC interim president Antonio V. Deleon Guerrero.

Wolff said that NMC’s failure to manage its finances and meet needed accreditation recommendations as required by the WASC-Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges have a direct impact on its four-year degree program.

“The financial challenges that confront the college directly impact the integrity, quality, and future of the baccalaureate program,” said Wolff.

“In order for the college to maintain accreditation at the baccalaureate level for the education program, it will need to respond satisfactorily to the issues raised by the ACCJC as well as those by the Senior College Commission,” he added.

He said the team found that, although NMC had responded to some of the issues raised by ACCJC in a January 2004 letter, the financial situation at the college “remains critical and continues to pose significant challenges to institutional viability and sustainability.”

SCC said that while NMC officials have shown commitment to achieve institutional progress, “much work remains to be done to assure stability….”

It cited NMC’s several leadership changes, including the Office of the President. The School of Education, it said, has itself undergone leadership changes.

To help address NMC’s concerns, the SCC, in conjunction with ACCJC, is scheduled to visit NMC this fall, “focusing on the ability of the college to sustain the quality and effectiveness of the baccalaureate program.”

SCC also recommends a conference call with NMC officials within 90 days to discuss issues and concerns.

Wolff said that while the warning status is in effect, NMC’s accreditation for its baccalaureate program will continue.

NMC received its warning notice from ACCJC last January. In June, ACCJC retained the warning status and required the college to submit another progress report by Oct. 15, 2004.

Deleon Guerrero, in a prepared statement dated July 2, 2004, said that the warning is a public sanction reflecting the judgment “that the institution is not in compliance with one or more commission standards.”

“The accreditation of the college continues during this period. This action is subject to review under the applicable policies and procedures,” he said.

He said that SCC accredits 147 other baccalaureate and degree programs in California, Hawaii, Guam, as well as the CNMI.