NIC radiography technology program placed on probation

COEUR d’ALENE — North Idaho College’s radiography technology program is on probation — not because of its quality, but because of the college’s ongoing accreditation woes.

Several NIC programs, including radiography technology and nursing, are separately accredited through specialized bodies. Most programmatic accreditors also require institutional accreditation for the college offering the programs.

The show cause sanction NIC received from its accreditor earlier this year triggered an unannounced site visit by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiological Technology. The committee’s policies require such a visit in the event of a show cause sanction.

At a March meeting of the NIC board of trustees, Radiography Technology Program Director Matthew Nolan said the committee found the program to be in substantial compliance with all standards, the highest possible finding.

But a report from JRCERT noted that the actions of trustees have “potentially compromised the institution’s accreditation status, indicating a lack of support for the program at the institutional level.”

North Idaho College announced Wednesday that JRCERT has placed the program on probation. According to a June 20 letter sent to NIC President Nick Swayne, the decision was based on two areas of noncompliance with JRCERT standards:

• Lack of assurance that the sponsoring institutions and program comply with the requirements to achieve and maintain JRCERT accreditation
• Lack of assurance that the sponsoring institution provides appropriate administrative support and demonstrates a sound financial commitment to the program

These are the same areas the site visit team found the program to be out of compliance.

North Idaho College’s radiography technology program has been recognized and accredited by JRCERT since 2008. In February 2021, the program was granted continued accreditation for eight years. To retain programmatic accreditation, NIC’s program must return to good standing with JRCERT by June 2025.

Program staff and administrators must submit a progress report to JRCERT by Sept. 1.

NIC’s accreditor, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, is deliberating whether the college will retain accreditation.

The commission is expected to make a decision by July 23.