The Master’s University, along with The Master’s Seminary, is still on probation after a special visit was conducted last fall by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

In a letter addressed to Master’s University President Dr. John MacArthur, WSCUC President Jamienne S. Studley outlined that while the university had made improvements since the commission’s last visit, they were still out of compliance in some areas.

“The Commission found that The Master’s University and Seminary is not in compliance with WSCUC Standards 1 and 3 and acted to continue the sanction of Probation,” Studley wrote.

The first of these standards refers to board independence. According to the WSCUC Governing Board Policy, a governing board must minimally demonstrate “sufficient independence to ensure that all board actions are taken in accordance with the institution’s best interests and those of the students it serves.

“The Commission observes that the Board continues to take direction from the President rather than fulfilling its role of overseeing the President and maintaining priorities that are consistent with advancing the institutional mission,” Studley wrote in the letter.

The other standard refers to operational integrity.

“The visiting team found that TMUS has made progress in the area of campus climate,” Studley wrote. “However, staff and faculty reported fears that the climate may regress after WSCUC stepped away.”

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TMU was originally placed on probation in 2018 after a visit to the university in March, where the commission reported alleged conflicts of interest regarding student financial aid, staff without qualifications for their positions and “a climate of fear, intimidation, bullying and uncertainty” among faculty members.

Since then, the school has made a number of changes in an effort to address these concerns, including having Dr. MacArthur transition from the role of president to chancellor.

In November of 2018, WSCUC officials visited both The Master’s University and The Master’s Seminary to assess whether or not the probation placed on the institutions should be lifted.

However, WSCUC still has some concerns regarding Dr. MacArthur’s role.

“The institution made a commitment to transition its chief executive officer from the position of president to Chancellor of the Seminary within 18 months of the date of the visit,” Studley wrote. “Yet, at the panel interview, the president mentioned that the Board has extended that date and had still not taken steps to define the requirements and job description for the institution’s next president. The Commission is concerned that TMUS still struggles in the area of operational integrity and transparency.”

Read More: Master’s University Announces Transition Of President John MacArthur To New Position

Another special visit will be conducted in Fall 2020 to assess the institution’s efforts to address the commission’s concerns.

“The institution will be expected to prepare an institutional report due ten weeks before the date of the visit demonstrating that it has addressed the two areas of noncompliance noted below,” Studley wrote.

The Master’s University maintains its accredited status during probation, but any new sites or degree programs must be approved through a WSCUC substantive change process, according to officials.

No one from The Master’s University was available for comment Saturday regarding the commission’s decision.

To read the full letter, click here.

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