Public Statement Regarding Patten University

At its meeting on June 13-15, 2012, the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities approved the change of ownership and control of Patten University, allowing its change from a faith-based, non-profit institution to a non-sectarian, for-profit university under the ownership control of UniversityNow, Inc.

Patten University was placed on probation in February 2010.  At that time, the Commission found that Patten University was out of compliance with elements of Standard 1 (Defining Institutional Purposes and Ensuring Educational Objectives), Standard 2 (Achieving Educational Objectives through Core Functions), Standard 3 (Developing and Applying Resources and Organizational Structures to Ensure Sustainability), and Standard 4 (Creating an Organization Committed to Learning and Improvement). In approving the change of control, the Commission acted to extend probation to enable the University to demonstrate the impact of the change in control and show that it has resolved the issues that led to the probation action.

The Commission will conduct a comprehensive review, including a site visit, in spring 2013, to evaluate Patten under the Standards of Accreditation. In June 2013, the Commission will reconsider Patten’s probationary status. The institution will be given an opportunity to respond to the Commission concerns both in writing and before the Commission at its meeting in June 2013.

The Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities accredits 162 baccalaureate and graduate degree-granting institutions, primarily in California, Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, and the Northern Marianas Islands. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of seven regional accrediting commissions and is recognized by the United States Department of Education.

This statement has been reviewed and approved by the institution.

June 22, 2012