Mandeville, Jamaica…[Northern Caribbean University/IAD]
On January 29 to February 1, the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) conducted a focus visit at Northern Caribbean University in order to evaluate the offerings and facilities of NCU’s extension programs at the off-campus sites.
Northern Caribbean University is one of 106 colleges and universities owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide. The Association commonly known as the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) is the quality assurance body established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church to provide coordination, supervision, and quality control to its education system.
The eight-member visiting team was comprised of reputable Seventh-day Adventist educators and academicians. Dr. Ella S. Simmons, General Vice President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, served as the chair of the team, while Dr. Lisa M. Beardsley, Associate Director of Education for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, served as the secretary. The other members were Dr. Roy E. Ryan, Associate Treasurer, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Luis A. Schulz, Associate Director of Education, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Dr. Elie Henry, Vice President, Inter-American Division, Dr. Moises Velazquez Lugo, Director of Education, Inter-American Division, Dr. Merlene A. Ogden, Dean and Professor of English Emerita, Andrews University, and Mrs. Sandra E. Gayle, Director of Education and Children’s Ministries, West Indies Union Conference.
The AAA team visited all four NCU campuses, Brown’s Town, Kingston, Montego-Bay and Mandeville, observing classes at the Montego-Bay site and the evening program at the Mandeville campus. Interviews were conducted with members of the Board of Governors, the University President, Vice Presidents, Faculty, Department Chairs, Library Director and Staff Librarians, Site Directors and Support Staff, and randomly selected students and staff at all locations.
Over a four-day period, the team managed to conduct a total of approximately 150 interviews, with nearly 60 faculty, approximately 50 students, 10 alumni, 30 administrators, and 4 members of the Board of Trustees. All interviews were aimed at evaluating “capacity of NCU to offer quality education at these locations”, Dr. Lisa Beardsley stated.
Dr. Merlene Ogden indicated that, during their visits, the team was impressed by what was observed at each site. “The content and quality of teachings are similar.” This is important to note as it is a criterion for accreditation that programs at extensions or off campus sites maintain the same academic standards as regular campus programs.
Another important standard that is assessed by the AAA is that of maintaining the ideals of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Having well-trained, Adventist faculty is of great importance in being accredited as a Seventh-day Adventist Education institution. The team reported that the students interviewed expressed their appreciation of prayers and devotions being integrated in their learning experience, as well as the personal interest that faculty members have in each student.
The students catered to by NCU’s extension campuses are mainly working adults, with work and family obligations. Dr. Beardsley pointed out that all of the students interviewed by the team were paying for their NCU experience on their own, without any assistance. Dr. Beardsley and Dr. Ogden indicated that, with this in mind it is therefore necessary that these individuals receive value for money.
In the exit interview conducted with representatives of the University administration, the team commended the institution on the overall effectiveness of the extension programs, and offered recommendations on how these programs may be further strengthened to ensure a quality Seventh-day Adventist education. The visiting team informed the university administrators that, based on its review of the programs delivered at these sites, the interviews conducted and the general observations made during this visit, it would be recommending to the Board of the Adventist Accrediting Association that will convene in April 2007, that these programs be accredited.
Northern Caribbean University started extension and off-campus programs in 1998. It offers Associate and Baccalaureate programs at its four off-campus sites. Thirty-two percent (1,800) of the University’s total enrolment (5,600) are enrolled in one of these programs.
