NWCCU Investigation of Complaint

President's Message NWCCU Institutional Response Board Response FAQs

President's Message

Greetings Everyone,

I hope this note finds you enjoying your summer and finding time, if only a little, to recharge a bit after the year we had. I appreciate the many efforts underway to complete all of the summer projects and continue building fall enrollment. While we typically shoehorn a lot into our brief summer window, the volume of activity seems quite a bit higher this year. Thank you for all you are doing.

Yesterday, I received a response from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicating that it has accepted NIC’s response to the complaint it received this past spring. Of significance, the Commission’s response indicates that NIC is required to submit an Ad Hoc Report as an attachment to our 2022 Annual Report for evaluation and possible follow-up monitoring. The report, due to the Commission by August 1, 2022, “. . .must focus onEligibility Requirement 9,Governing Board, and the commitment and actions to be taken by the college’s governance and administrative leadership as described in the evidence presented in the Board’s statement to agree to readdress its roles and responsibilities in relation to the college administration.”NWCCU letter, July 19, 2021

I will be working with the Board to build on its stated commitment, as well as the outcomes it generated from the Association of Community College Trustees guided board development retreat held in June. I am confident that we will be able to document progress on the referenced Board commitment and actions necessary to meet this eligibility requirement.

I want to extend my appreciation to the Executive Accreditation/Planning Team and the trustees for their efforts in developing the college’s response to the complaint, as well as the Board’s commitment to addressing these important issues.

Again, thank you for all you are doing, every day, in service to our students and community – we have much of which to be proud.

Rick MacLennan, President

July 20, 2021

Previous Messages

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

NWCCU's Response to NIC's Effort [PDF]

NWCCU's Letter [PDF]

NIC Letter of Complaint [PDF]

Exhibits

Exhibit 1 [PDF]
Exhibit 2 [PDF]
Exhibit 3 [PDF]
Exhibit 4 [PDF]
Exhibit 5-8 [PDF]
Exhibit 9 [PDF]

Cited Eligibility Requirement Under Review

(9) GOVERNING BOARD: The institution has a functioning governing board(s) responsible for the quality and integrity of the institution and for each college/unit within a multiple-unit district or system, to ensure that the institution’s mission is being achieved. The governing board(s) has at least five voting members, a majority of whom have no contractual or employment relationship or personal financial interest with the institution. Institutions that are part of a complex system with multiple boards, a centralized board, or related entities, shall have, with respect to such boards, clearly defined authority, roles, and responsibilities for all entities in a written contract(s). In addition, authority and responsibility between the system and the institution is clearly delineated, in a written contract, described on its website and in its public documents, and provides NWCCU accredited institutions with sufficient autonomy to fulfill its mission.

NIC Accreditation Information

NIC’s Institutional Response

President MacLennan has begun NIC’s response by tasking the college’s executive accreditation and planning team to lead the institutional response.

NIC's ability to document how we are meeting or effectively resolving the eligibility issues brought into question by the NWCCU is our current core focus. Success will look like the board and president working together to demonstrate confidence and action in making corrections and resolving issues to meet all the NWCCU eligibility requirements.

Cover Letter to NWCCU June 10, 2021 [PDF]
Response Report to NWCCU June 10, 2021 [PDF]
Receipt of Unsolicited Materials Policy Amended Response June 10, 2021 [PDF]