PCC 2.0

[TonyT]

Fair warning: this topic dissects the minutia of PCC's recent reorganization. If PCC doesn't interest you, or the nitty-gritty of corporate re-org isn't your thing, then just move along. You won't enjoy this.

So here it is, PCC in the accredited world. The new catalog is out with some fairly sweeping changes. There now appear to be only 4 academic divisions (Biblical Studies, Professional Studies, Visual Arts, and Arts and Sciences), with all the majors rolled in to those divisions. The names of some majors have changed, others disappeared altogether. Education is no longer a separate division, and long-time dean, Dr. Rand, is now just a chair.

Here's where it gets interesting (to me, anyway): The academic deans (Except Rushing/Biblical Studies) have doctorates from other schools. (Put an asterisk next to Bombard/Visual and Performing Arts. She's the "acting dean" with a dr. from PCC, but is pursuing another dr. elswhere)

Also, the "acting VP of Academic Affairs" is Dr. Raylene Cochrane. She has a dr. from Nova Southeastern.

Pulling it all together now: The divisions need to be headed by an accredited doctorate. PCC is not yet accredited (though it will be soon). And the chief academic officer needs to have an accredited degree as well.

It appears to me the college reorganized to meet accreditation standards (as it should). But here's my suspicion: Once the college is accredited they will have more leeway. Those who got their doctorates from PCC will have a degree from an accredited institution (accreditation applies to the institution, not the degree), and can than be shuffled back into the academic deck.

Per accreditation standards (TRACS and SACS), the college president does not need to have a doctorate- just the chief academic officer. So Shoemaker is fine. (at most universities the president is the fundraiser-in-chief, businessman, operations manage, etc, but not necessarily the top academic dog.)

Another note: The new catalog also lays out the new board of directors. Chuck Buettner is the chair now. Arlin Horton is just a member of the board, as well as "Founder, President Emeritus." Beka is still on the board, too. Shoemaker is on the board, and so is his wife. Now that COULD be a problem. Per TRACS accreditation standards:

"The board will have a minimum of five voting members, with no more than one of these
members being a paid employee of the institution. In addition, the chair of the board cannot, nor
can the president of the institution, have as voting members on the board any member of their
immediate or an in-law family. The president of the institution cannot serve as the chair of the
governing board or its executive or nominating committees."

If anyone else notices some differences from the PCC they remember, feel free to chime in.

Link to new catalog: http://www.pcci.edu/Catalog/2012/

[captain_solo]

Normally accrediting bodies do actually care about degrees being from other accredited schools, they don't like inbreeding, even if the school is accredited.

[dramaturge]

(04-30-2012 07:09 AM)captain_solo Wrote:  Normally accrediting bodies do actually care about degrees being from other accredited schools, they don't like inbreeding, even if the school is accredited.

This is true. Maintaining accreditation is basically as rigorous as getting it. It's unlikely they will be able to reshuffle the positions so that those with all their degrees from PCC will be back in leadership. The restructuring is good all around. I still hold that had Beemer been given the position he was promised ten years ago, all of this would already have happened. But you know. Better to wait until you have to be dragged kicking and screaming into...ten years ago.

[Darrell]

Quote:. I still hold that had Beemer been given the position he was promised ten years ago, all of this would already have happened.

Yes. It's the school's loss.

[Mark]

Our private SLAC has to undergo a five-year check-up, and we aren't newly accredited or on SACS' troubled list. It's likely PCC would have accreditation checks every year to start.