Roanoke-Chowan Community College has received its second warning in seven months from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for alleged non-compliance of its accreditation standards.
The most recent allegations of the school were disclosed in a statement that SACSCOC, a regional accrediting body of higher ed institutions in 11 Southern states, issued in December, according to the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald.
The accrediting body’s statement regarding the status of Roanoke-Chowan acknowledge non-compliance in four sections of its Principles of Accreditation and issued the following warning to the college for:
“Failing to demonstrate compliance with Core Requirement 4.1 (Governing board characteristics), which states the institution has a governing board of at least five members that (a) is the legal body with specific authority over the institution; (b) exercises fiduciary oversight of the institution; (c) ensures that both the presiding officer of the board and a majority of other voting members of the board are free of any contractual, employment, personal, or familial financial interest in the institution; (d) is not controlled by a minority of board members of by organizations or institutions separate from it; and (e) is not presided over by the chief executive officer of the institution.
“Standard 4.2.b (board/administrative distinction): The governing board ensures a clear and appropriate distinction between the policymaking function of the board and the responsibility of the administration and faculty to administer and implement policy.
“Standard 5.2.a (CEO control): The chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for the institution’s educational, administrative, and fiscal programs and services.
“Standard 5.5 (personnel appointment and evaluation): The institution publishes and implements policies regarding the appointment, employment, and regular evaluation of non-faculty personnel.”
According to a decision made by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees during their December meeting, the community college was placed on “Warning” for six months as a result of a review of RCCC’s response to unsolicited information alleging non-compliance of the four sections previously mentioned.
The statement also noted that the college’s next review by the accrediting body will occur this June and a special committee will conduct an on-site review of RCCC’s submission with the Principles of Accreditation.
“Roanoke Chowan acknowledges the decision of SACSCOC in sending this warning,” said RCCC president Dr. Stanley Elliott. “The Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff are committed to fully addressing and responding to all SACSOC concerns. It is important to note that none of the issues raised by SACSOC relate to the academic programs or financial status of the college.”
The community college’s Board of Trustees will establish a committee to create responses and proposed changes for review by the full Board, and will submit a report to SACSCOC in March, Elliott said.
