La Plume – On the scheduled date of August 1, Keystone College submitted the Show Cause Report as requested by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). A “show cause” report provides supportive documentation as to why an institution’s MSCHE accreditation should not be withdrawn. The request for a show cause report was a result of Keystone’s inability to comply with Standard VI following the MSCHE Self-Study which was completed in March. Standard VI requires an institution to have adequate financial resources to continue long-term viability. Keystone College remains accredited while on show cause.
Included among the items submitted in Keystone’s Show Cause Report were documented financial resources, funding base, plans for financial development, multi-year budget, annual independent audit, as well as a support agreement with the College’s strategic partner. The Show Cause Report is not a public document and has only been shared with MSCHE.
The next step in this process is an onsite evaluation visit on August 27-28 by a team of peer reviewers appointed by MSCHE. Following that visit, the team will submit their report to MSCHE in September and Keystone will have an opportunity to respond to that report. In October, Keystone can make a show cause presentation to MSCHE which can address any questions that were raised during the review process as well as provide any updates since the original report submission. The MSCHE action is not expected until November.
“Keystone is grateful for the support that we have received from Middle States over the past few months and we are happy to provide them with the requested information to demonstrate the College’s viability for retaining our accreditation as we continue on our path forward,” said Keystone President John F. Pullo Sr. “This is an arduous process, and it should be. As our accreditor, Middle States deserves all of the information that they need to reaffirm Keystone’s accreditation. We look forward to continuing to work with them toward achieving that common goal.”
While compiling the Show Cause Report, Keystone has continued to move closer to securing a definitive agreement with its strategic partner. In May, the College announced that it had secured a signed letter of intent from an unnamed partner which would provide the financial stability and resources necessary to secure the College’s future. “We anticipate making an announcement of the signed agreement very soon,” said Tim Pryle, Vice President of Enrollment, Institutional Advancement, & Marketing. “We are also working hard on the final preparations for a successful start to the Fall semester, something that many people beyond our campus may not have expected.”
