Next steps for NIC's accreditation

Following Tuesday's virtual site visit to North Idaho College, the accrediting organization will compile a report and send a letter of action to NIC.

The site visit was sparked by a second complaint letter over actions of the NIC board of trustees sent by local human rights task forces.

Representatives from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities met with NIC’s interim president and board of trustees, as well as held forums with students, staff and faculty.

NIC board of trustees Chair Todd Banducci said at the board meeting Wednesday the NWCCU will send an initial report to the NIC administration on Tuesday, seven days after the site visit.

Banducci said the administration has seven days to submit any corrections of facts after receiving the initial report.

The trustees discussed setting a date in mid to late February for a board accreditation workshop to discuss the final report. No date was decided.

Amy Luke, chief of staff and director of external relations for the NWCCU, said the panel “will soon submit the report of its findings and recommendations, which will then be considered for action by the NWCCU Board of Commissioners at its next meeting.”

“The institution will be informed of the decision in a letter of action,” Luke said in an email Wednesday to The Press.

The NWCCU Board of Commissioners are in an ongoing virtual meeting ending today, and will meet for another commission board meeting June 22-24.

Laura Rumpler, chief communications officer for North Idaho College, said NIC will be able to discuss the process and their experiences after the NWCCU issues its action letter.

Rumpler said discussion with the NWCCU led to the decision that since the fact-finding process and review is still underway, it’s premature to give details on the visit. She said public commenting could hinder the process.

“For now, we need to let the process continue,” Rumpler said.

NIC Interim President Michael Sebaaly said once the college is allowed to share feedback from the visit it will be posted on the president's page on nic.edu to ensure full transparency.

The NWCCU representatives attending the site visit included chair Dr. Marc Johnson, president emeritus of the University of Nevada, Reno, and members:

• Dr. Deneece Huftalin, president, Salt Lake Community College,

• Mr. Glenn Ford, senior VP of Finance and Administration/CFO, University of Western States,

• Ms. Mary K. Hughes, regent, University of Alaska System

• and team support Mr. Randy Aliment, senior vice president for Legal and Regulatory Affairs, NWCCU

A resolution for a vote of no confidence in the NIC board of trustees by staff assembly was read by chair Sarah Martin at the board meeting Wednesday night, adopted on Dec. 15.

The resolution said the board has not yet fulfilled the commitments made to the NWCCU and campus community, and there remains concerns regarding the behaviors of the board, specifically:

• "Staff, faculty, administration and members of the community have not been included in decision-making processes"

• "Staff and faculty recommendations were disregarded in many of the recent decisions that have had life-changing and institutional impacts on the campus community"

• "Policies previously adopted by the NIC Board of Trustees continue to be violated by the board; and the board continues to overstep its authority regarding the operations of the college"

NIC is also required to submit an ad-hoc report no later than Aug. 1 for evaluation and possible follow-up monitoring.