higher education

North Idaho College alleges there were misstatements in Swayne’s February 24 court testimony and that since his March 6 return to office, Swayne has engaged in “deeply troubling behavior."

It’s unclear what the majority trio’s refusal to re-instate Swayne means for the college and the trouble it faces from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, NIC’s accreditor.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities said the delays are intended to “allow North Idaho College more time to complete the required self-evaluation report” required under a show-cause message issued this month.

The process of reviewing North Idaho College’s accreditation moved forward Thursday, with a letter from the school’s accreditor asking the community college in Coeur d’Alene to explain why it should not lose the accreditation it has held since 1947.

In a hearing scheduled for February 15, attorneys will present to Judge Cynthia Meyer their contention that the subpoenas fall outside the scope of NIC President Nick Swayne’s civil suit against the college, and seem to be aimed more at causing trouble than finding answers.

At its meeting Wednesday night, the North Idaho College Board of Trustees will consider a proposal to add a non-voting student member to its ranks. The students most likely to hold the position said they are doubtful it will lead to effective student participation in the college’s governance.

Attorney Macomber’s investigation launched in December, after a three-person majority on NIC’s Board of Trustees voted to put college president Nick Swayne on administrative leave, ostensibly so Macomber could investigate language in Swayne’s contract that removed the board’s power to fire him without cause.

North Idaho College makes another pledge that its divided board of trustees will work to improve its rancorous, disruptive behavior, and that the college’s operations “continue to thrive even with board governance concerns.”

In a December 21 message, Moody’s Investors Service said the dysfunction of NIC leadership is endangering its public image and may possibly lead to a financial downturn this year, if the turmoil leads to a decline in enrollment or donations.

The body that accredits North Idaho College says the school in Coeur d’Alene may be out of compliance in a number of areas, and has given the college a January 4 deadline to explain itself.