By Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Managing Editor KYLE— Oglala Lakota College has been placed on “Notice” signifying that the college who serves thousands of students across western South Dakota is at risk of losing its accreditation according to a release from its accreditors. The “Notice” that went into effect February 27 of this year means that OLC is at risk of being out of compliance with one or more of the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation. OLC receives their accreditation that allows for them to distribute credits and degrees from the North Central Association’s Higher Learning Commission. OLC will be remain in this status for a period not more than two years and during this time will remain accredited with an opportunity to return to good standing with the Higher Learning Commission. Tom Shortbull, President of Oglala Lakota College, downplayed the Notice status and saw it as positive and would be used to improve the quality of education that OLC provides. “We do not believe that it is a big issue for us. We believe that this is an opportunity for us to strengthen the College,” said Shortbull said. Shortbull said that the harsh language that is included in the release is part of the requirements of the College’s and the Higher Learning Commission’s responsibility to tell incoming students that the college is on “Notice.” He did confirm however that OLC is still fully accredited and that steps are being taken to improve on the areas that the Commission felt needed to be addressed. “In most cases, because institutions on “Notice” remain accredited, other institutions of higher education will continue to accept the institution’s credits in transfer or for admission to a program at a higher degree level. However, students enrolled at an institution on “Notice” and interested in pursuing a higher degree or transferring should contact any institution they plan to attend in the future to confirm the institution’s admission and transfer policies,” the Higher Learning commission said. Oglala Lakota College was placed on Notice due to concerns that the college was not in compliance in several categories required for accreditation including student retention, persistence, completion, as well as systematic improvement. The criteria where OLC failed to meet the standards laid out by the commission fall under two specific Core Components upon which accreditation is based. “The College is required to a Notice Report in August 2015 providing evidence that the College has resolved the concerns of the Board identified in the Notice action and that the College meets the Criteria for Accreditation and Core Components identified in this action at risk of not being met,” said the Higher Learning Commission. In October of 2015 OLC will be required to host a focused visit from the commission and in February of 2016 the Commission will decide if OLC can be removed from “Notice” or if further action is necessary. OLC will remain fully operational during the time they are on “Notice” and will have an opportunity to correct the areas in which the commission found to be of concern. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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