Statement on Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is aware of institutional and media reports regarding recent Commission actions for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. In light of such reports, it has become necessary for the Commission to correct misleading information in accordance with the Commission’s Communication in the Accreditation Process Policy and Procedures, Procedures Section VII. H.

Non-Compliance Action Policy and Procedures

It has been reported that the Commission took an “unprecedented action” to place Cheyney University on non-compliance probation status prior to a warning action. The Commission’s policies and procedures outline a range of actions and allow the Commission to act to place an institution on non-compliance probation without having previously placed the institution on non-compliance warning. See Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures. Accreditation Actions Procedures IV.C.1. states the following (emphasis added):

While the initial non-compliance period is 36 months, the Commission retains the authority to take any action at any point during this period of time. A sequence of action is not required (e.g., warning need not precede probation; the next action following warning may be show cause).

The Commission has taken action, in accordance with its policies and procedures, to place institutions on non-compliance probation without a warning first based on the evidence before it. In this matter, the evidence included additional information received from the institution on October 23, 2023, regarding findings of the United States Department of Education (USDE). The University was provided with an opportunity to respond to those findings with the Commission, and it did so.

Commission Engagement

In addition, reports indicate that the Commission’s action was not explained to the institution. The Commission has met with a number of University constituents regarding the November 16, 2023, action. On Friday, December 8, 2023, Commission President Heather Perfetti spoke with Chancellor Daniel Greenstein. On Sunday, December 17, 2023, Commission President Perfetti spoke with Cheyney University President Aaron Walton. On Monday, December 18, 2023, the Commission’s President and members of her leadership team met with institutional representatives, including the University’s President, Accreditation Liaison Officer, and Chief Academic Officer. On Friday, January 5, 2024, and again on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the Commission supported the required Commission Liaison Guidance Visit with two Commission staff members working directly with institutional representatives. Commission liaison guidance visits include an opportunity for Commission staff to meet with institutional representatives, including administration, board members, faculty and staff, students, and other stakeholders, and the multiple visit dates were to support the broadest possible engagement as requested by the institution.

In addition, the Commission, as a member of the regulatory triad, engages with the United States Department of Education (USDE) as well as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through its Department of Education (PDE). The Commission received a written update from the USDE on Friday, October 13, 2023. In addition, the Executive Leadership Team, including the Commission’s President, met with Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, Kate Shaw, and other representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Education on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

As reported in the media, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, also sent a letter dated February 20, 2024, to the President of the Commission. The Commission appreciates the interest of the Governor in the status of Cheyney University as well as other colleges and universities within his jurisdiction, and the Commission looks forward to addressing the matters raised within his letter.

Reconsideration of Actions

It has been reported that the institution has requested the Commission review and reverse its November 16, 2023, non-compliance probation action. In accordance with its policies and procedures, the Commission will not do so. Probation is not an adverse action; therefore, it is not subject to appeal (See Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures). It is also not subject to review or reconsideration. The Commission engaged in the multi-level accreditation decision-making process, carefully considered all relevant information before it, and conducted a thorough and deliberate analysis when it acted on November 16, 2023.

The Multi-Level Accreditation Decision-Making Process

The steps of the Commission’s multi-level accreditation decision-making process are outlined in the Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures. Each level of this process demands a complete, thorough, and separate review of all relevant evidence and information. The reviewing body at each level makes a recommendation to the reviewing body at the next level, with the final determination and action taking place at the third level, the Commission. When the Commission acts, Section II.EE of the procedures requires that the Commission analyze all of the accreditation materials and all other appropriate information available at the time of the decision. The Commission received additional information from the institution on October 23, 2024, relating to ongoing monitoring by another member of the regulatory triad. The Commission considered this additional information as part of its analysis at the second and third levels of the multi-level accreditation review process in addition to considering the team recommendations of the first level of the review process. The institution was made aware that this additional information would be considered as part of the Commission’s decision-making procedures. Though the Commission will not release this report, the institution may elect to do so. Requests for the report should be made directly to the institution. The Commission intends to protect the confidentiality of institutional matters before it based on its Communication in the Accreditation Process Policy and Procedures.

The monitoring process for Cheyney University remains ongoing, and the Commission will continue to protect the integrity of its process. The Commission has taken steps to share policies and procedures with the media; however, information regarding institutions is held confidential by Commission policy and procedures unless and until such time as a public correction may need to be made. The Commission will not provide interviews with media outlets while the process is ongoing. Information related to Cheyney University actions is publicly available on the institution’s Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS) at https://www.msche.org/institution/0480/. The Commission will take action in accordance with the Commission’s Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures. Once the Commission takes action, it will be made available to the institution as well as posted on the institution’s SAS.

The Commission centers students in its work and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities within the regulatory triad and ensuring the highest quality of service to students, institutions, and the public. The Commission continues to work directly with Cheyney University, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the United States Department of Education (USDE), and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).