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| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: January 19, 2001 |
State Board of Community Colleges passes resolution of concern regarding the probation of Robeson Community College
RALEIGH: "This is one of the most serious problems to face the Community College System and this Board," said Dr. G. Herman Porter, State Board of Community Colleges Chairman as he presented a resolution of concern and direction regarding the probationary status of Robeson Community College. "This is a very serious matter and there is a real possibility that the college could lose its accreditation," he added.
North Carolina Community College System President H. Martin Lancaster gave the State Board a brief background of the situation that now exists at Robeson Community College. "The trustees have lost sight of the role of a Board of Trustees, which is to set policy and leave the implementation to the administration," he said. "The board is very politicized and divided."
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) conducted a regular accreditation review of Robeson Community College (RCC) early last year. The review report stated that SACS felt the college was providing superior academic services, but had serious concerns about the governance of the college. Recommendations were given to the RCC Board of Trustees that SACS felt would solve the problems and eliminate their concerns.
The trustees were then directed to provide responses to the SACS recommendations demonstrating they had a plan to address the concerns. However, the responses from the trustees given to SACS were insufficient. Additionally, the comments from the trustees indicated that they apparently did not take the SACS recommendations seriously. In December SACS placed the college on probation for one year for failure to comply with requirements.
If the college fails to provide sufficient responses by September of this year, RCC could lose its accreditation and that would mean a loss of federal and state funding. "There is recognition of the seriousness of the situation everywhere in the county but the [RCC] board," said Lancaster."
Daryl Mitchell, the student representative to the State Board asked what would happen to the students’ credits if the college lost its accreditation. Lancaster stated that without accreditation and funding the doors would eventually have to close. "If the trustees tried to keep the doors open with local funds there would still be no accreditation and the credits would not count," he added. "The real victims will be the students," said Mitchell.
After a reading of the resolution by Vice Chair Peter Hans, and more discussion by the State Board, it was unanimously approved. The resolution directs the RCC Board of Trustees to submit to the State Board, at their next meeting on February 28, a plan for addressing each of the SACS recommendations. The State Board then directs the RCC Board to report each month to the State Board regarding the progress being made towards addressing those concerns.
The resolution also cautions the RCC Board of Trustees that since inappropriate action of the trustees regarding personnel matters could lead to immediate revocation of accreditation and a resulting loss of funds, the State Board and the Southern Association will scrutinize all personnel decisions made during this probation period.
(The full text of the resolution follows)
President Lancaster has been asked to meet with the Robeson County Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce in a joint meeting later this month. Lancaster says he takes this invitation as an indication that the county leaders and the business community are interested in seeing this issue resolved. He also told the State Board that a representative from the System Office would attend all the RCC Board meetings.
"As we approve this resolution, hopefully it will get the attention of the Robeson Board to get back on track," said Chairman Porter.
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North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges
Resolution
Robeson Community College has been a great asset to the community and the students it serves. The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges is proud that the college has been the key to economic prosperity and the improvement in the quality of life for many citizens in southeastern North Carolina. Robeson Community College must remain a strong institution with excellent programs to ensure its students receive the education and training needed to be successful in an increasingly competitive economy. The State Board of Community Colleges stands ready to assist Robeson Community College in the essential task of maintaining its good standing in the educational community.
The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges expresses its grave concern about Robeson Community College’s possible loss of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). At its December 2000 meeting in Atlanta, the Commission on Colleges denied reaffirmation of accreditation, continued accreditation, and placed the institution on probation for twelve months for failure to comply with Criteria Section 6.1 (Organization and Administration) and Section 6.12 (Governing Board).
Although the Commission praised the quality of instruction and other services, it cited major problems with the governance of the college, particularly with the interference of the local Board of Trustees in personnel decisions, which according to the criteria of the Commission on Colleges should be at the discretion of the institution’s administration.
The State Board further expresses its concern that, according to statements reported by the press since announcement of the probation, the Board of Trustees of Robeson Community College does not appear to be treating this matter with the seriousness that the situation demands. If the Board does not address the problems to the satisfaction of the Commission on Colleges by September 2001, Robeson Community College faces the strong probability that it will lose its accreditation.
Community Colleges are required by G.S.§ 115D-4.1 and Rule 23 NCAC 2C.0603 to obtain and maintain accreditation by SACS. Consequently, loss of accreditation will result in the loss of all state and federal funds, including financial aid. Furthermore, GS § 115D-6(3) provides that the State Board "may withdraw or withhold State financial … support of any institution… in the event …the officials of an institution refuse or are unable to maintain prescribed standards of administration." Without those funds, Robeson Community College will not be able to operate and will be forced to close its doors. Such a closure will have a devastating effect on the students who will not be able to complete their programs in their home communities and who will lose academic credit for courses in which they are enrolled at the time of the loss of accreditation.
Therefore, the State Board by this action requires that the Board of Trustees of Robeson Community College submit to the State Board for its approval, at its regularly scheduled February meeting, a plan for addressing each of the seven recommendations and thereafter to report to the State Board on a monthly basis the progress being made towards addressing those concerns.
In addition, the Board of Trustees is cautioned that all personnel decisions of any kind during the period of probation will be under special scrutiny by the State Board and the Southern Association since inappropriate action of the Board in this area of operation may lead to immediate revocation of accreditation and loss of funds.
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