Henderson College to take 5 years for accreditation

If or when the proposed Henderson State College becomes a candidate for accreditation it will take a minimum of five years to complete the process, a committee studying the need for such an institution learned Tuesday.

Sandra Elman, director of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, told the committee it is rare for the accreditation process to be sped up, although it took only two years for the online Western Governor's University to receive final approval.

"The governors of Colorado and Utah worked very hard to get the accreditation," Elman said.

Though obviously disappointed by the news that it probably will take five years for the accreditation of Henderson college, Assemblyman Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, indicated those behind the proposal were willing to work as hard as the governors of Colorado and Utah to make the college a reality.

Perkins and Sen. Jon Porter, R-Henderson, were the driving forces behind the Legislature's approval this session of a $500,000 study of the proposed college.

Perkins chairs the advisory committee, which also includes Porter and regents Mark Alden of Las Vegas and Howard Rosenberg of Reno.

Porter did not attend Tuesday's meeting at the Charleston campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada, but was connected by telephone.

Porter also was concerned by the five-year period and offered different scenarios to Elman that he thought might speed up the process. "We're just trying to find any shortcuts we can," Porter said.

Elman said by making the process difficult in the beginning, there is greater chance for success."We make it tough initially," Elman said, but once candidacy is granted, we work toward.

Perkins wasn't discouraged by the five-year process, but concerned about students who might lose credits if they transfer to other institutions during that period. Elman said this is a major issue throughout the higher education system. The advisory committee's next meeting will be Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. at Henderson City Hall.

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