NWCCU Investigation of Complaint

President's Message

Greetings Everyone, 

At the board of trustees meeting on April 27, 2021, I shared that I received a letter from Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, president of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. 

The letter provides notice to North Idaho College that the NWCCU has initiated an investigation of a complaint received by the Commission (and of related reports in the news media). The complaint concerns activities of the board of trustees, institutional board policies, and requires us to provide evidence that we have appropriate policies and procedures in place and that they are being followed. It specifically requires us to address three of the 23 NWCCU Eligibility Requirements to remain an accredited institution. From the NWCCU handbook: Failure to meet any Eligibility Requirement may lead to the imposition of a sanction or adverse action for a member institution, denial of application for candidacy, or denial of initial accreditation. 

The college has until June 11, 2021 to provide an institutional response. I have tasked the college’s executive accreditation and planning team to take the lead on this. Due to the nature of this complaint, however, I will also work with the board to help provide evidence that we are able to meet the eligibility requirements under review. 

This is a serious matter for NIC. I am confident our college’s executive accreditation and planning team will lead us through this process. I know many of you are aware of the challenges that have led us to where we find ourselves; I want to assure you that I am committed to doing everything I can to achieve a positive outcome.

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

NWCCU's Letter

NIC Letter of Complaint

Exhibits

Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Exhibit 5-8
Exhibit 9

Cited Eligibility Requirements Under Review 

(7) NON-DISCRIMINATION: The institution is governed and administered with respect for the individual in a nondiscriminatory manner while responding to the educational needs and legitimate claims of the constituencies it serves as determined by its mission.

(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.

(16) ACADEMIC FREEDOM: Within the context of its mission and values, the institution adheres to and maintains an atmosphere that promotes, supports, and sustains academic freedom and independence that protects its constituencies from inappropriate internal and external influences, pressures, and harassment. Faculty, students, staff, and administrators are free to examine and test all knowledge and theories.

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. 

The college has until June 11, 2021 to provide an institutional response to the commission. Once that response is complete, it will be uploaded here.