Dive Brief:

• Wilberforce University, the nation’s oldest historically black private university, could lose its accreditation.
• The Ohio school received a “show-cause” order from the Higher Learning Commission via certified mail on Monday, requiring it to present its case for why accreditation should not be withdrawn, the Dayton Daily News reported.
• The university has multiple problems related to its administration and board issues, along with significant financial, admissions, and infrastructure issues, according to the commission.

Dive Insight:

Wilberforce will remain accredited during the show-cause period, and must present its case for accreditation by December 15. According to the commission, the university enrolled fewer than 100 students in the fall 2013 class. Of those students, 28% of the class withdrew during the fall term. The university set an enrollment projection of 200 students for fall 2014. Among the university’s issues, it has failed to show an ability to make “adequate and realistic plans for the future,” according to the commission.