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(Clinton) -- Ashford University has been given 'notice' by the Higher Learning Commission regarding it’s accreditation. The notice was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The school-with it’s campus in Clinton, but with nearly all of its students on-line was placed on ‘notice’ by the H-L-C. That is described as a status that indicates an institution is pursuing a course of action that, if continued, could lead to it being out of compliance with one or more Criteria of Accreditation. In placing the University on 'notice', HLC noted several concerns related to accreditation criteria that will require additional written reports, evaluations and site visits throughout the remainder of 2013. Bridgepoint Education Incorporated announced Thursday that its Ashford University operations in Clinton- has been placed "on notice" by the for-profit college's regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The sanction, which is less serious than probation, is based on the commission's concerns about Ashford's inability to meet new standards for accreditation, which the commission put into effect in January, as well as Ashford's current noncompliance with the accreditor's "substantial presence policy" -which requires institutions to have a meaningful physical presence in the agency's geographic region-, according to a Bridgepoint corporate filing. Ashford last year had its bid rejected for accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Clinton Campus Director John Ballheim said the decision was not a surprise. He says one of the main issues was a substantial presence in the region. He says the company is based in San Diego with 5,000 employees and that is more than the 500 in the Iowa so our substantial presence is in California.

The school continues to seek accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Ballheim says that organization will have a site visit in San Diego in a few weeks. He says a switch addresses the substantial presence issue.

Ballheim said the change in accrediting agencies will not have a major impact in the Ashford operations in Clinton-except some small adjustments. But, he said the Western agency was in Clinton in April and are not making a return visit and believes logically that means they were satisfied with they saw in Clinton

Ballheim stressed the school is still accredited by H-L-C and have made changes and need time to show the accrediting agencies that the changes are having an impact.

The Clinton Ashford campus director says they hope to learn this summer about acceptance with the Western accrediting agency.

Written 3/1/2013 by Dave Vickers - KROS News

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