NMC was also placed on show-cause status in Feb. 2008.
The accrediting commission said it is compelled to issue an order of show cause because NMC is out of compliance with a number of eligibility requirements and accreditation standards, ACCJC President Barbara A. Beno said.
In her letter dated June 30 to NMC (see http://www.nmcnet.edu/media/resource%20documents/NMC%20June%2030%202010.pdf), she said show-cause is ordered when the accrediting commission finds an institution to be in substantial non-compliance with its eligibility requirements, standards, or commission policies, or when the institution has not responded to the conditions imposed by the commission.
Accreditation entitles NMC to receive federal funding and allows its students to transfer their credits to other accredited colleges or universities in the U.S.
Beno told NMC interim President Lorraine Cabrera that the college is not in compliance with eligibility requirements or accreditation standards in three key areas: institutional autonomy from outside interference, institutional financial management and integrity, and institutional governance and accountability.
The commission noted that NMC was on continuous sanction from Jan. 2007 to June 2009 for a number of deficiencies, including deficiencies in meeting standards on the chief executive officer, administrative capacity and board training and conduct.
Beno said the sanction was removed in June 2009 when NMC successfully addressed deficiencies.
However, she added, recent actions by the college and its governing board have again resulted in serious non-compliance with standards, all of which are “re-occurring deficiencies.”
NMC Regent Andrew Orsini said he has not seen the report yet but the board will “certainly meet to discuss it.”
Orsini declined to comment if the termination as president of Dr. Carmen Fernandez by the board was behind the commission’s decision.
Cabrera said the sanction is a great setback for the college.
But she assured students, employees and the community that NMC will do everything to bring the college back to full compliance with WASC standards and requirements.
“The college has faced tougher challenges before — in fact, we have been placed on show-cause two years ago and we were able to come out of it successfully,” she said.
Cabrera said that there’s no question the students, staff, faculty and the NMC board of regents have the commitment and endurance to continue working together.
The college has already made significant progress in addressing accreditation concerns that were raised in the last two years, she added.
Cabrera said while under show-cause status, NMC’s accreditation will continue and the credits to other educational institutions will continue to be transferred based on the receiving institution’s criteria.
Beno said the commission is requiring NMC to submit a show-cause report by Oct. 15, 2010.
After the submission of the report, representatives of the commission will visit NMC.
The report and findings of the commission representatives will be considered at their Jan. 2011 meeting.
“In order to avoid possible termination of accreditation…the show-cause report should demonstrate that the college fully meets [standards] and has resolved the specific deficiencies referenced in all of the recommendations made by the April 2010 special visit team,” Beno said.
Since the loss of accreditation will likely cause the institution to close, she said NMC must make preparations for closure according to the commission’s “Policy on Closing an Institution.”
Beno noted that NMC previously developed procedures for closure and an agreement with Guam Community College for a teach-out of its courses and program when NMC was on show-cause status in 2008-2009.
Beno said NMC should take immediate steps to update and renew its agreement with GCC or develop an alternative as part of a closure report, which must be submitted to the commission by Oct. 31, 2010.
