The NWCCU sanctions warning against Board of Trustees

The Executive Committee of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities sent a second letter to North Idaho College. 

The letter was in response to the complaint the Commissions received on Nov 1, 2021 and the Jan 18, 2021 visit. The Commission said that they find North Idaho College out of compliance with Eligibility Requirement 9: Governing Board, Standard 2.A.1 Governances and 2.D.2 Institutional Integrity. 

The Commission said that upon receiving the first complaint on March 12, 2021 all the members of the Board signed the Board Statement, agreeing that they are committed to take several actions to address and resolve NIC’s Eligibility Requirement 7, 9, and 16. 

Despite the commitment done by the Board, the Commission concludes that the Board of Trustees’ do not comply with the steps agreed in the May 28, 2021 Board Statement to restore effective governance at North Idaho College. 

The Commission gave two recommendations, the first set being that the Board elects a fifth member, and reviews, affirm and adhere to the institutions and Board policies. Including those pertaining to appropriate roles, responsibilities, expectation and professional conduct and ethics. 

In the second set, the Commission recommended that the institution rebuild their administrative and academic leadership: this includes hiring a permanent president, and after that hiring vacant/ interim Vice President positions.

The NWCCU expects the Board to be in compliance with Eligibility Requirement 9:Governing Board, Standard 2.A.1 Governance and 2.A.2 Institution Integrity in time for the College’s Mid-Cycle on site evaluation visit, which is scheduled for Spring 2023.