Four years ago, Cheyney University was making a comeback and had its accreditation reaffirmed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Now that same body has put the university back on probation, writes Susan Snyder for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The university “is in jeopardy” of losing its accreditation for failing to show it has met several required standards.

Those standards include ethics and integrity, design and delivery of the student learning experience, and institutional improvement.

Without accreditation, the school, recognized as the oldest historically Black college in the nation, cannot receive the federal and state financial aid most of its students need.

The action comes amidst praise from Cheyney officials and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education on the school’s progress, including enrollment increases and business partnerships.

“We’re going to respond to the report,” said Cheyney President Aaron A. Walton.

The school has finished with a balanced budget in the last four years and increased enrollment to more than 700 from 469 a few years back. 

Still, the faculty union and some alumni argue the school has not sufficiently looked after student life, academics, and infrastructure. They want the university to be placed under federal jurisdiction.

Find out more about the issues facing Cheyney University in The Philadelphia Inquirer.