E Middle States Commission on Higher Education 326 Mae Stet, Piledlpie, PA 191042680, Th: 27.28 SOD. Pax 218-662-501 wrmmehnarg October 28, 2008. Mr. Jose Aparicio Maldonado” Interim President Poorto Rico Council on Higher Education POBOX 19900 ‘San Juan, PR 00910-1900 Dear Mr. Aparicio: ‘We are writing to express our concer in ight of recent developments reported ia press releases, newspaper accounts and observations made by Middle States Comission ‘on Higher Education staff during recent visits to University of Puerto Rico campuses. Among our concems are the following: ‘+ Sighificant layoffs a the Puerto Rico Council of Higher Education including most of the staff analysts and staff inthe licensing division; +The abrupt tamover of virally every significant leadership position inthe University of Puerto Rico System; ‘+ Layofié a other Commonwealth-affliated institutions of higher learning that are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Eduedtion; and, ‘+ Statements quoted in the press that licensing might not be necessary Wier’ acoreditation is also held (eg. an article appearing on page 16 ofthe October 8, 2009 edition of Primera Hora), ‘While the Commission understands and appreciates that signiffeant economic pressures ‘often require difficult decisions, we are concemed about immediate and potential long- term impacts of these decisions on higher education in Puesto Rico and on our ability 0 ‘continue accreditation ofthe many fine institutions of the island. ‘With this letter, we also want to clarify the role of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as a regional accrediting agency vis-a-vis licensing by an appropriate govemmental unit. According tothe Middle States Commission on Higher Education's Requirements of fiiation, an institution must be sble to “provide written documentation that itis authorized to operate as an educational iastitation and avatd ‘postsecondary degrees by si appoprite goversinddta organization within the Middle ‘States region.” (Characteristics of Excellence, p. xii.) Be ince ests tna enn Den Det of Cont, he Pema Por Sesh US Wey an een otek “Tel Sats Con pind NewAccreditation is a means of self-ogulation and peer zoview that haa been adopted with the intent of strengthening and sustaining the quality and intoysty of higher ‘education. ‘This systems has been adopted by the U.S. Govemment es a means of quality ‘assurance, Accreditation by a U.S. Department of Réucation recognized agency such 2, ‘the Middle States Commission on Higher Education is necessary fr aocess to Title VV ‘student financial sid funding. Institutions accredited by MSCHE receive approximately $14 billion annually in student financial sid through these programs. For over a decade, the Mid States Commission on Highes Educator has ‘worked cooperatively withthe Puerto Rico Cauneil of Hihes Education fo ensre the quality ofigher education inthe Commonwealth. Tn may instances, we have suecessflly enpaged in collaborative reviews of institutions, with evauation Teams composed of representatives ffom both organizations. We ate concerned thatthe eparuye of so many staff members fom the Council on Biber Bavcion may endanger plans for upcoming, collaborative reviews Finally, as previously noted, we are slso concerned about the simataneous ‘mover of so many leadership positions on campuses across Puerto Rico. Ths Context sootion of Standard 4 on Leadership and Governance states in pat that “the governance structure should provide for & governing body with suficient independence and expertise ‘‘asoure the academic integrity of the institution and fora chief executive officer, ‘appointed by the governing body, whose primary responsibility is to ead the institution toward the achievement of its goals.” (Characteristics of Excellence, . 12.) We are especially concerned that wholesale turnover of leadership may slow or temporarily stop institutional plans for improvement. ‘Our intent in writing this letter has been to clarify our role in accreditation and to express our concer about developments in the Commonwealth that eduld have aa impact ‘on the Commission's ability to carry out secreditaion activities, We would weleome any {questions about MSCHE's role or about the accreditation process. We would also be ‘Willing to travel to Puerto Rico to meet with you or your representatives to discuss these matters, Since, Mel cyl AAD Michael F. Middaugh, Ed.D. abeth H. Sibolski, Ph.D. Chair Interim President. wesk Vice President