College Whose Leaders Were Fired en Masse Is Put on Probation

Our Lady of Holy Cross College was placed on probation today by its regional accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges. The probation was issued in response to the dismissal in August of the Louisiana college’s president and all 19 members of its policy-making board. The board, which was reconstituted without explanation, is delegated responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the New Orleans college, which is owned by an order of Marianite nuns.

The Southern Association also put on probation Greensboro College, a North Carolina institution, over the continuing effects of a financial crisis in 2009 that followed the abrupt resignation of its longtime president. The college, with millions in debt that exceeded its endowment, was forced to use its campus as collateral for a loan.

The accreditor also cleared Alabama A&M University of improprieties related to the Alabama A&M Research Institute and other allegations stemming from complaints filed by two alumni and a former university official.