Areas of concern noted by the Higher Learning Commission related to Wilberforce University’s accreditation:
- The board and the president haven't created a process to develop or review ideas or proposals to assure the future viability of the school in light of mission and goals.
- The full board has not acted to resolve the financial challenges facing the university (and)…inappropriately delegated oversight of the institution to the president and a limited number of trustees.
- The university has not demonstrated that it operates following appropriate policies and practices: Board minutes indicate that the Board Finance and Audit Committee did not meet from fall 2012 to at least February 2013, failing to follow appropriate governing board practices and compromising the board's ability to determine institutional direction.
- Members of the board work directly with the university community or employees without the knowledge or involvement of the president — undermining the president.
- The university ended FY2013 with an accumulated deficit in the unrestricted or operating fund of $9.7 million. The University's operating losses for FY 2011, 2012 and 2013 were $775,000, $1.487 million, and $1.028 million, respectively; the university's operating loss for FY 2014 is projected at more than $700,000.
- The university board does not function effectively to oversee the institution or its operations: Trustees articulated a lack of knowledge and understanding of the significant financial and other challenges the university faces.
- The university administration doesn't function effectively to help the university meet challenges realistically: The university's business model projects 200 students for fall 2014, but that's likely unattainable given recent enrollment data. The school had 97 students for fall 2013 but that number dropped to 70 students. The proposed 2014 operating budget was based on 500 students which is unrealistic given that actual enrollment was about 377 students.
To read the complete documents outlining the Higher Learning Commission’s concerns, go to myDaytonDailyNews.com
To read the complete documents outlining the Higher Learning Commission’s concerns, go to myDaytonDailyNews.com
To read the complete documents outlining the Higher Learning Commission’s concerns, go to myDaytonDailyNews.com
The nation’s oldest historically black private university is at risk of losing its accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, according to documents from the commission.
Wilberforce University received a "Show-Cause" order from the commission by certified mail on Monday.
The “Show-Cause” order is procedural and requires that the Greene County university present its case “as to why its accreditation should not be withdrawn.” The order is effective as of June 12 — the date the board of the Higher Learning Commission issued it.
The university remains accredited during the “Show-Cause” period, said John Hausaman, public information officer with the Higher Learning Commission.
University officials said early Wednesday that they would be issuing a statement. They did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
If the school loses accreditation, it could mean that students are not eligible for federal financial aid and that it couldn’t accept international students.
A letter to interim president Wilma Mishoe from the commission outlines multiple problems with the school related to administration and board issues. The letter also notes significant financial, admission and infrastructure issues. According to the document, Wilberforce enrolled fewer than 100 students in the fall 2013 class. Of those students, 28 percent of the class withdrew during the fall term. The university set an enrollment projection of 200 students for fall 2014.
In one of several sections documenting non-compliance with accreditation criteria, the letter to Mishoe said, “The University has not demonstrated its ability to make adequate and realistic plans for the future.”
“The University administration has put forth business models that do not reflect best practice in higher education and do not take into account readily available financial and trend information in higher education that indicate such enrollment increases are unlikely; results of planning documents indicate that the University consistently failed to achieve its stated goals; and the University continues to predict improved enrollment and revenues even as it is in a state of financial emergency and crisis to its physical plant and infrastructure.”
The university’s enrollment projects are unrealistic, the letter said, given its financial, management and enrollment challenges.
Richard Dearing, who has been at the school since 1968 and who is president of the Wilberforce Faculty Association, said the notification did not come as a surprise.
“It’s a matter of great sadness on the one hand and on the other hand we have known because we had a regular accreditation review in ‘09 and 2010,” he said. “Based on that review the university was originally recommended to be placed on probation.”
Dearing said work was done to get the school a five year accreditation.
Enrollment, he said, has been steadily declining for the past five years. Additionally, he said, declining revenues, worsening budget circumstances and budget deficits, have contributed to the problems.
“So when the University gets its tuition and fee revenue for a semester, that’s really not enough to cover all of its expenses for that period of time,” he said.
“As you reduce personnel, you just have fewer services you are able to offer students on a regular basis and eventually it really catches up and I think that’s the problem we are facing.”
What’s next?
Wilberforce must present its case for accreditation by a “Show-Cause” report that is due on December 15. After the report is submitted, the university must schedule a “Show-Cause” visit to the school by February 9, 2015.
The report should include the following specific evidence, the letter said:
- The university's board has hired a president capable of moving the institution to fiscal viability and has set the expectation that an annual presidential evaluation will happen and will relate to clearly articulated goals;
- That the president has retained a senior administrative team with appropriate qualifications;
- A comprehensive and integrated business plan leading to financial stability and addressing at a minimum: Enrollment, operating revenue and expense, debt service, facilities planning and fundraising. The business plan should include a five year prospectus;
- A plan has been developed to assure basic deferred maintenance is being addressed and that the university provides a clean, safe learning environment for students;
- That within two years, the university will be able to pass all building and food inspections;
- That the board of trustees has membership with expertise or access to expertise in legal matters, finance, facilities, higher education and other areas of strategic importance;
- That the trustees will fulfill financial and other commitments outlined in school bylaws;
- That the university has implemented processes related to board orientation, education and evaluation.
If the university doesn’t file its “Show-Cause” report by the deadline, the board of the commission may move to withdraw its accreditation at any time after the deadline.
Jeff Robinson, spokesman for the Ohio Board of Regents, said a representative from the Regents may participate in the site visit but the organization wouldn’t get involved with helping the school because it’s not in their purview. Participating in the visit would allow the state to ensure that Wilberforce is meeting state standards.
Dearing estimated that 80 to 90 percent of students at the school receive some federal financial aid.
Founded in 1856 by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilberforce is the first predominantly African-American private university in the nation, according to the university’s website.
“It’s very sad because I’ve been here for a long period of time,” Dearing said. “Wilberforce has a great history. It has been a very important institution of higher education in Ohio and in the United States of America but we just haven’t been able to turn the enrollment picture around.”
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