Statement of Accreditation Status
Wells College
- CEO: Dr. Jonathan Gibralter, President
- Accreditation Liaison Officer: Dr. Susan Henking
- Commission Staff Liaison: Dr. Judith Sciple, Vice President
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus » Four-year, very small, highly residential
- Control: Private (Non-Profit)
- Phase: Accredited
- Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
- Accreditation Granted: 1921
- Last Reaffirmation: 2021
- Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2026-2027
- June 22, 2023
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027. - June 23, 2022
To acknowledge receipt of the monitoring report. To note that the institution hosted a virtual site visit in lieu of an on-site visit in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 17, 2020. To request a supplemental information report due April 1, 2023, providing further evidence of adequate fiscal and human resources, including physical and technical infrastructure, to support operations (Standard VI). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027. - June 24, 2021
To acknowledge receipt of the monitoring report. To note that the institution hosted a virtual site visit in lieu of an on-site visit in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 17, 2020. To reaffirm accreditation because the institution is now in compliance with Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement). To request a monitoring report, due March 1, 2022, demonstrating sustainability of implemented corrective measures and further evidence of (1) adequate fiscal and human resources, including physical and technical infrastructure, to support operations (Standard VI); (2) strategies to address enrollment decline (Standard VI); and (3) comprehensive planning for facilities, infrastructure and technology that include consideration of sustainability and deferred maintenance (Standard VI). A follow-up team visit will follow submission of the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027. - June 24, 2021
To acknowledge receipt of the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements. - November 19, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the teach-out plan. To approve the teach-out plan. To request an updated teach-out plan and teach-out agreements, due February 1, 2021, including any documentation supporting the agreements (Teach-out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). - November 19, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To remind the institution of the Commission's action of March 5, 2020 to continue the institution on probation and note that the institution's accreditation remains in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement). Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027. - November 12, 2020
To grant a delay of the monitoring report due December 1, 2020. The report is now due February 1, 2021. To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the monitoring report. To remind the institution of the Commission's action of March 5, 2020 to continue the institution on probation and note that the institution's accreditation remains in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement). Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027. - May 27, 2020
To note that the updated teach-out plan and teach-out agreements, due December 1, 2020 , is now due June 30, 2020. (Teach-out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). - May 27, 2020
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due June 30, 2020 addressing recent developments at the institution which may have implications for current and future compliance with Requirements of Affiliation 2 and 11 and the Substantive Change policy and procedures. - April 30, 2020
To grant a delay of the monitoring report, due September 1, 2020, because of extraordinary circumstances related to coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions. The report is now due December 1, 2020. To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the monitoring report. To remind the institution of the Commission's action of March 5, 2020 to continue the institution on probation and note that the institution's accreditation remains in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement). Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027. - April 30, 2020
To note that the updated teach-out plan and teach-out agreements, due September 1, 2020, is now due December 1, 2020. (Teach-out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). - April 16, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of formal written notice from the institution in response to the Commission's request of March 9, 2020. To temporarily waive Substantive Change Policy and Procedures and allow the use of distance education to accommodate students impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions, in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 5, 2020. Continued use of distance education beyond the limitations of USDE guidelines will require substantive change approval in accordance with Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. This flexibility is not available for clock-hour courses that lead to licensure if the licensing body will not accept distance learning courses or hours or give credit for them toward the number of hours a student must complete. Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027. - March 5, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the monitoring report. To note the visit by the Commission's representatives. To note that the institution is now in compliance with Requirement of Affiliation 11. To continue the institution on probation and note that the institution's accreditation remains in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement). To note that the institution remains accredited while on probation. To note further that federal regulations limit the period during which an institution may be in non-compliance. To request a monitoring report due September 1, 2020, demonstrating evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Standard VI, including but not limited to (1) sufficiency of resources to fulfill its mission and goals and to support its educational purposes and programs (Standard VI) and (2) the assessment of the adequacy and efficient utilization of institutional resources required to support the institution's mission and goals (Standard VI). To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the monitoring report. To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss the Commission's expectations. The date of the next evaluation will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation. - March 5, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the teach-out plan. To require an updated teach-out plan and teach-out agreements, due September 1, 2020, including any documentation supporting the agreements (Teach-out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). - November 21, 2019
To note the commission liaison guidance visit occurred on September 10, 2019. To remind the institution of the Commission's request of June 27, 2019 for a monitoring report due December 1, 2019. Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-20 - June 27, 2019
To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note the visit by the Commission's representatives. To place the institution on probation and note that the institution's accreditation is in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement) and Requirement of Affiliation 11. To note that the institution remains accredited while on probation. To note further that federal regulations limit the period during which an institution may be in non-compliance to two years. To request a monitoring report due, December 1, 2019, demonstrating evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Standard VI and Requirement of Affiliation 11, including but not limited to (1) financial planning and budget processes that are aligned with mission, goals and objectives and are evidence-based (Standard VI); and (2) adequate fiscal and human resources, including physical and technical infrastructure, to support operations (Standard VI and Requirement of Affiliation 11). To request that the monitoring report also address further evidence of a governing body that plays a basic policy-making role in financial affairs to ensure integrity and strong financial management (Standard VII). To require that the institution complete and submit for approval by December 1, 2019, a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). In accordance with Commission policy and federal regulations, the teach-out plan must provide for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education, if the Commission were to withdraw accreditation, and include any signed, teach-out agreements that the institution has entered into or intends to enter into with another institution. To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the monitoring report. To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss the Commission's expectations. Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027. - November 20, 2014
To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. To commend the institution for the quality of the Periodic Review process and report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2018-2019. - June 23, 2011
To accept the progress report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2014.
- Distance Education
Not approved for this delivery method - Correspondence Education
Not approved for this delivery method
Approved Credential Levels
The following represents credential levels included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:
- Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope
- Main Campus
Wells College
PO Box 500
Aurora, NY 13026-0500 - Other Instructional Site
Southern Cayuga Jr/Sr High School
2384 Route 34B
Aurora, NY 13026
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