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The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has voted to strip Mountain State University of accreditation. The action, if not reversed or successfully appealed, would make students at the West Virginia university ineligible for federal student aid, potentially making it impossible for the institution to function. A statement by the Higher Learning Commission identified numerous, serious violations of the commission's standards. The commission said that Mountain State doesn't meet the requirement that an "institution operates with integrity to ensure the fulfillment of its mission through structures and processes that involve the board, administration, faculty, staff, and students," and fails to meet a requirement that "the institution’s allocation of resources and its processes for evaluation and planning demonstrate its capacity to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its education, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.” For instance, the commission found that Mountain State "has not planned realistically to address challenges ... [and] lacks adequate human and financial resources to fulfill its mission."
Mountain State's board issued a statement vowing to appeal the decision. "We are surprised because the report ignores the significant progress that has been made since the Higher Learning Commission notified the University of its concerns a year ago. Major changes have been undertaken in all of the areas of concern that were cited by the Higher Learning Commission and significant progress has been demonstrated in implementing these changes," said the board statement.
