Pennsylvania University Merger Plan
HEADLINES
State System Final University Merger Plan Promises No Campus Closures, But Is Silent on NCAA, Accreditation (The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 8, 2021) “The State System of Higher Education is out with its final version of controversial merger plans for six of Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities, with changes that include a pledge not to close any institution involved and protections for schools concerned the mergers will further weaken their finances. However, a summary of the significant revisions makes no mention of the NCAA, which has yet to say when or how it will rule on whether the six universities can keep their current complement of athletic teams. Nor does it mention when the Middle States Commission for Higher Education will decide if and how it might accredit the combined institutions.”
Wells College Off Probation (Inside Higher Ed, July 9, 2021) "The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has reaffirmed accreditation for Wells College, the college announced. The accrediting agency placed Wells on probation two years ago after determining the college was not in compliance with the agency’s planning, resources and institutional improvement standard."
A New Arts College in Connecticut (Inside Higher Ed, July 8, 2021) “The college has a long way to go before it becomes a sustainable four-year institution. It must operate for two years before it can even begin the accreditation process. The conservatory cannot grant degrees while it awaits accreditation and will offer two-year certificates to undergraduates and one-year graduate certificates in the interim.”
Tulane School of Medicine Placed on Probation by Accreditor Amid Allegations of Racism, Lack of Diversity (The Lens, July 6, 2021) “Graduate medical education programs at the Tulane University School of Medicine were placed on probation by a national accreditor, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, (ACGME) last week. The probation follows a public fight over allegations of racism in the school’s graduate program this February stemming from the suspension of Dr. Princess Dennar, who is Black, from her position overseeing a residency program.”