Pima Community College is no longer on probation, after nearly two years in serious trouble with its accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission.
The HLC placed Pima on probation in April 2013 over allegations of corrupt hiring practices, alleged sexual misconduct by the former chancellor, lack of collaboration between the board and the administration, wrongdoings in the financial management, among other concerns listed on a letter they got at the time from their accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission.
The college, instead, was placed on a “lesser sanction of notice,” according to a statement from PCC Chancellor Lee Lambert:
The Higher Learning Commission defines Notice as a sanction in which an institution meets all of the Criteria for Accreditation, but is still at risk.
Like everyone, I am thankful for the hard work and dedication of the more than 300 employees, community members and students who worked tirelessly to conduct the Institutional Self Study, an important step in creating a culture of continuous improvement.
What’s next: PCC will submit a Notice Report to the HLC by July 1, 2016. The HLC will conduct a Focused Evaluation Visit no later than September 2016. We will have more information for you very shortly.
I am proud of the phenomenal progress that PCC has made. At this new level, we still have significant work to do, but I am confident that this means a new day at PCC. Great job, and keep up the good work!
More details are coming up tomorrow.
This article appears in Mar 5-11, 2015.
Just as the Higher learning Commission will keep a watchful eye on our community college, so must we. Let’s not forget that three of the five PCC Governing Board members who are responsible for PCC being placed on probation are still on the board. Fortunately, there are now two new board members. In 2016 our community will have the opportunity to elect one more new PCC Governing Board member. It is important that we take advantage of that opportunity and elect someone to replace Scott Stewart.