The Higher Learning Commission Extends Morton College’s Fully Accredited-On Notice Status
(Cicero, IL) Morton College announced today after an extensive evaluation process the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Board extended the College’s accreditation status of ‘Accredited-On Notice.’ The institution remains fully accredited and meets all Criteria for Accreditation.
The designation of Notice indicates that the College is in compliance with all HLC accreditation standards, but with concerns, specifically noted in Core Components 2.A, 2.C, and 5.B of the Criteria for Accreditation.
The accreditation evaluation reports highlighted the substantive progress the College has made in recent years, including notable improvements in Board governance. By extending Notice, the HLC Board determined that the College would benefit from additional monitoring and a focused visit to confirm that progress is sustainable and the institution has ameliorated the findings that led to the extension of Notice.
“Morton College recognizes the continued value of the HLC’s general accreditation processes for fostering continuous institutional improvement,” said Dr. Stan Fields, President of Morton College. “Morton College is 100% committed to the accreditation process, and we look forward to working with the entire college community to strengthen our institution by resolving the HLC’s concerns.”
Morton College’s Board of Trustees enacted a number of important reforms since the HLC put the College “On Notice:”
- The Board of Trustees collaborated with the administration in a comprehensive review of board policies. This, in turn, led to the Board’s adoption of more explicit policies related to communication between the President, the Board of Trustees, and the District’s varied constituencies, including vendors, and the College’s employees.
- The Board of Trustees specifically addressed ongoing concerns of presidential turnover at Morton College. As a formal expression of the Board’s support for sustainable reforms in its governing practices and to demonstrate a vote of confidence in the current President’s leadership, the Board unanimously approved a four-year contract extension for the President.
- The Faculty and classified unions unanimously approved their respective new five-year collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the administration and both unions. At the August 2020 Board of Trustees meeting, the Board unanimously ratified both agreements. The Board also approved a MOU with the faculty union regarding the fall semester’s instructional plan in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The MOU was the product of collegial discussions between the faculty and academic leadership and in deference to faculty prerogatives on instructional matters.
- The Board of Trustees supported the President’s decision to eliminate long-standing no-bid, politically connected financial, marketing, and fundraising vendor contracts.
- The Board of Trustees endorsed the College’s creation of the College Council – a campus-wide shared governance team comprised of members from all college employee groups, as well as student representation. The College Council has been meeting regularly and has worked collaboratively for over two years.
- The Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Mr. Oscar Montiel to fill a vacancy on the Board. Mr. Montiel is well regarded in the college community and is recognized for his leadership in improving the lives of young people as Program Director of the Boys Club of Cicero.
- The Board of Trustees affirmed their commitment to professional development by unanimously approving a new board policy focused on expectations for new member orientation and ongoing training for all Board members in best practices for board governance. The policy also requires the Board to establish an annual calendar for formal board self-evaluation and evaluation of the college President.
- The Board of Trustees collaborated with the administration in a comprehensive review of board policies. This, in turn, led to the Board’s adoption of more explicit policies related to communication between the President, the Board of Trustees, and the District’s varied constituencies, including vendors, and the College’s employees.
- The Board of Trustees specifically addressed ongoing concerns of presidential turnover at Morton College. As a formal expression of the Board’s support for sustainable reforms in its governing practices and to demonstrate a vote of confidence in the current President’s leadership, the Board unanimously approved a four-year contract extension for the President.
- The Faculty and classified unions unanimously approved their respective new five-year collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the administration and both unions. At the August 2020 Board of Trustees meeting, the Board unanimously ratified both agreements. The Board also approved a MOU with the faculty union regarding the fall semester’s instructional plan in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The MOU was the product of collegial discussions between the faculty and academic leadership and in deference to faculty prerogatives on instructional matters.
- The Board of Trustees supported the President’s decision to eliminate long-standing no-bid, politically connected financial, marketing, and fundraising vendor contracts.
- The Board of Trustees endorsed the College’s creation of the College Council – a campus-wide shared governance team comprised of members from all college employee groups, as well as student representation. The College Council has been meeting regularly and has worked collaboratively for over two years.
- The Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Mr. Oscar Montiel to fill a vacancy on the Board. Mr. Montiel is well regarded in the college community and is recognized for his leadership in improving the lives of young people as Program Director of the Boys Club of Cicero.
- The Board of Trustees affirmed their commitment to professional development by unanimously approving a new board policy focused on expectations for new member orientation and ongoing training for all Board members in best practices for board governance. The policy also requires the Board to establish an annual calendar for formal board self-evaluation and evaluation of the college President.