By Holly Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Luna Community College, of Las Vegas, New Mexico has been issued a “Show-Cause Order” by the Higher Learning commission Board of Trustees (HLC), on November 11,2017.
A “Show-Cause Order” is a procedural order that requires an institution to present its case to HLC as to why accreditation should not be withdrawn. The HLC Board of Trustees issued the Show-Cause Order based on its finding of non-compliance following a HLC visit to Luna Community College back in June.
According to HLC public disclosure notice, HLC took the action because it determined that Luna
Community College does not meet HLC’s criteria for accreditation. The Show-Cause Order was taken because of concerns about the college’s institutional integrity and ethics, board autonomy, and effective leadership and collaboration. HLC also has concerns about the institute’s resources.
According to the public disclosure notice the next step for the college is to file a report by February 1, 2018, providing evidence that it has addressed the issues that HLC is concerned about. That will be followed by an on campus visit by HLC no later than March 2018, for further verification that the college has indeed addressed the issues in question. Then in June 2018, the HLLC Board to Trustees will determine whether Luna Community College has demonstrated that it is in compliance with the Board’s Criteria for Accreditation and whether the Show-Cause Order can be removed.
The Higher Learning Commission Board was established in 1898 as one of six regional accreditors in the United States for degree granting post-secondary educational institutes. Luna Community College was granted accreditation on April 29, 1982.
In a press release provided by Luna Community College, Interim President, Ricky Serna stated that: “We respect the Higher Learning Commission’s Show-Cause Order and we are working on a plan of action that will include: administration, faculty, staff, students and community members,” said Serna. “The immediate response from employees is that we will stand together to successfully overcome this challenge on behalf of the students we serve.”
For more information visit Luna Community College’s web page at www.luna.edu and by clicking on the HLC’s Mark of Affiliation at the bottom left of the home page or by searching for Luna Community College’s profile on Higher Learning Commission’s website www.hlcommission.org.
