An independent accrediting agency issued a report last week stating that Nassau Community College the institution needed to hire a permanent president, improve its financial planning and “prevent political intrusion” to keep its accreditation.
Of the 14 standards The Middle States Commission on Higher Education uses to accredit institutions, NCC was not in compliance with seven of them, with the community college’s failure to select a permanent president highlighting most of the report’s issues, according to a report presented to college officials.
“As a result of an ineffective and distrustful system of governance, the institution has lost its ability to assign authority and responsibility in matters related to its mission and specific goals,” the report said. “A high level of distrust between the Faculty Senate, the administration and the Board of Trustees exists.”
Last month, the Middle States Commission released an oral report on the college’s accreditation status after a three-day visit to the campus. The written report is a more detailed explanation of the oral report.
State University of New York Senior Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges Johanna Duncan-Poitier told Newsday last week that SUNY was working with NCC officials to find additional candidates that were not considered before after the Board of Trustees again failed to select a permanent president.
“The priority is that we get the right candidate,” Duncan-Poitier said. “We want strong leadership and we are working on that immediately.”
She also said the accrediting agency’s report played a factor in SUNY wanting to look at additional candidates for the open president position.
On March 3, Nassau Community College board Chairman Jorge Gardyn announced that the college’s trustees had submitted their presidential selection to the SUNY board following an almost four-year search for a permanent president.
That choice, Gardyn said, was to remain anonymous until the college received Zimpher’s approval.
SUNY spokeswoman Holly Liapis said the SUNY board was prepared to announce its decision at the March 23 board meeting, but the presidential choice, who was later found out to be NCC executive vice president Kenneth Saunders, withdrew his name from consideration.
NCC has been seeking a permanent president since Donald Astrab left the position in July 2012.
Former Great Neck Superintendent of Schools Thomas Dolan has served as interim president since September.
The report also criticized the hiring of former Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, who trustees voted for 6-2 in December to fill a vacant government and media relations position.
“The hiring of the Assistant to the President for Government and Media Relations on December 8, 2015 during the Board of Trustees meeting — without the consent of the president or administration — is one example of a complete breakdown of standards related to fair and equitable hiring practices,” the report said. “The hiring clearly did not follow the mission and procedures established by the College’s Office of Equity, Inclusion and Affirmative Action and raises serious concerns about political intrusion into the business of the College.”
The position became available after Chuck Cutolo told college officials in September he planned to retire by January.
Because of their reliance on county and state funding, board Chairman Jorge Gardyn said at a November board meeting, it was essential to find a replacement who could advocate for the college.
Dolan said addressing the “Middle States debacle” and ensuring accreditation was the college’s main goal.
“We must follow the pathway to accreditation,” he said.
NCC officials have 10 days to respond to the report.
