FKCC no longer on warning status

BY JOHN L. GUERRA

Konk Life Staff Writer

Florida Keys Community College is no longer on warning status with the organization that provides it with accreditation.

Pamela Cravey, spokeswoman for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges, said the organization has not released its findings in detail, but did email this statement to Konk Life:

“It is recommended that the following institution be removed from warning: Florida Keys Community College, Key West, Florida. This was approved by the SACS board of trustees and is effective immediately.”

According to SACS’ June 2013 findings, FKCC was financial unstable, had no control over its finances and failed to control research and external funds. The disarray in the college’s financial reporting also was the focus of a state audit of the college’s financial practices in December.

The college already was under warning status last June when the SACS board voted to extend it for another year.

After SACS sent a team to the college to look at its financial practices in April, the college gave itself points for transparency and cooperation.

“Based on feedback shared during that visit, which included commendation for transparency and cooperation from the visiting team members,” FKCC spokeswoman Amber Ernst-Leonard said, “the good news from the commission is no surprise to the college’s administration.”

Details of what SACS learned during its April visit to the college will be released later this week, Cravey wrote in her email to Konk Life.

“The meeting of our Board of Trustees ended [June 19] in San Antonio, Texas. A full public disclosure statement will be posted on the website on Thursday June 26. Right now, this is all I can report to you.”

For detailed SACS reports on FKCC’s status, go to  http://www.sacscoc.org/accreditationDisclosure.asp. Click on June 2013 and, later this week, June 2014 to get the latest details.

According to Cravey, the trustees put colleges on probationary status if they don’t improve while under warning. The next step is loss of accreditation.

The lifting of the warning puts the college on the right track, however, and students, as well as teachers, can breathe easier.

“The College’s accreditation, which was reaffirmed in June of 2012, remains in place through June of 2022,” Ernst-Leonard said.

FKCC relies on SACS accreditation so students can transfer their credits to other colleges and universities; federal student loan and grant programs (and many private financial aid lenders) don’t recognize unaccredited schools.

“In many cases, a loss of accreditation will force a college or university to close its doors,” a statement on Ed.gov reads. “This is because the school will no longer be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid, which is a significant source of funding for many schools.”

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]