Bluefield State University says it has demonstrated significant progress to the regional accrediting Higher Learning Commission.
The confirmation came in a formal notification of action by the Higher Learning Commission board of trustees. The upshot is continued accreditation with a followup focus visit to measure progress.
The Higher Learning Commission assesses higher education institutions in an 18-state region. Its mission is to assure education and effectiveness of member institutions.
Bluefield State officials attended a meeting with HLC officials earlier this year in Chicago to lay out steps taken to correct the concerns laid out in a report by a review team that visited the campus last September.
Interim President Darrin Martin said the positive outcome from the HLC is a result of teamwork among the university faculty, students, staff and board of governors. “This could not have been accomplished without the dedication and commitment of the board, the leadership team and faculty leaders, who came together to address the concerns, put policies in place and ensure all stakeholders had a voice in university governance,” Martin said.
Charlie Cole, chairman of Bluefield State’s board of governors, said the university took immediate steps to address the concerns. “Everybody from the board of governors to faculty to staff and administration are all extremely passionate about Bluefield State and committed to creating a collaborative culture.”
According to the HLC findings, the university is “actively rebuilding structures and policies to ensure faculty and staff participation in policy-development and decision-making.”
Among steps taken, the university has reestablished the Faculty Assembly and University Council. This governance structure will ensure faculty and staff engagement in academic activities, policy development and decision-making.
Darrel Malamisura is a professor of economics and business law and the new faculty president. Malamisura said the spirit of collaboration demonstrated in response to the HLC report is important to at Bluefield State, adding that “it is important that faculty be involved in addressing these issues as well as having a voice in the future of Bluefield State.”
The HLC continued the accreditation and requires the university to host a focused visit by next April to review its progress.
In an email to the university community, Martin said he, “recognize(s) that further improvements are essential, not just because the HLC is observing, but because it is necessary for Bluefield State University to thrive.”