By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall, An Independent Populist
Lakeland Community College – the clock has struck midnight…the taxpayers have been fleeced and no one cares enough to do something about it!
Another audit, this time by the Higher Learning Commission, paints a very bleak picture of Lakeland Community College.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an institutional accreditor in the United States. It has historically accredited post-secondary education institutions in the central United States:
Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The headquarters of the organization is in Chicago, Illinois. (Wikipedia)
An extensive (49 pages) report was recently issued by the Higher Learning Commission on Lakeland Community College. When combined with the State of Ohio audit distributed last year, we are wondering if the $20 million per year in property taxes paid by the citizens of Lake County is one huge waste of money.
It will take us a while to digest all the reports. Here are some examples of some of the conclusions by the Higher Learning Commission.
Page 7…”Evidence confirms LCC does not generate financial returns for any investors or parent organization, nor does it support any external interests. LCC is a non-profit public institution supported by 36% tax levy, 34% state support, 26% tuition/fees, and 4% other. Financially, LCC allocated 75% of its budget to compensation, 17% to operations, and 8% to transfers. The college’s overall expenses in fiscal years 2020 – 2023 reveal operating expenses between 46% to 55% of the overall budget allocated for Instruction and Academic Support.”
Page 9-10…”LCC’s commitment to inclusive and equitable treatment of diverse populations begins with their core value of Diversity – “fostering equity, inclusion and civility by respecting and celebrating differences among individuals and communities.” This core value is supported by policies, procedures, and
activities such as Policy 3354:2-20-02, Non-Discrimination Policy; using the Ohio Civil Rights Commission’s “Employment Guide – Questioning Applicants”; and Strategy 1.7: Promote equity, inclusivity and belonging in the Strategic Plan 2022-2024. Additionally, LCC claims to use an online recruitment tracking system (Simplicant) and advertise in national publications to recruit a diverse
candidate pool for open positions. However, this was not supported by artifacts in the argument. One of the most evident examples of LCC’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is the existence and responsibilities of their Diversity Committee.
The responsibilities of the Diversity Committee include:
– Identifying the strengths, resources and needs of the college in matters of diversity
– Assess and evaluate the progress of diversity on campus
– Recommend proactive activities to address diversity issues of concern
– Fund and endorse programs that will enhance diversity on campus
– Oversee the development of programs and activities that foster equal opportunities for all
– Review alleged patterns of discrimination
– Recommend specific equal opportunity measures
– Select Recipients of the Annual Diversity Award
– Review human resources hiring practices
LFC input: This is right in line with our findings regarding DEI policies of Lakeland Community College. It is the cornerstone of what they do! We wondering if Senator Jerry Cirino’s current Senate Bill will address this, or will President’s Trump edict to eradicate DEI in the federal government percolate down to Lakeland?
Page 42…”Lakeland Community College engages in shared governance at the Board of Trustees level and at the college”…..”In the 2023 – 2024 academic year, a transition took place with the previous President and his entire cabinet leaving the institution.”
Page 43…”…the State pf Ohio conducted an audit of Lakeland and noted 7 observations and 10 recommendations that must be met in the next to years in order for Lakeland to be in compliance. Items in the audit included low class sizes, faculty summer pay, excessive classroom space, inadequate financial reserve, reducing health insurance costs, renegotiating the faculty contract and others.”
Here is a previous article we wrote regarding the State financial audit of Lakeland.
Page 43…”…It was noted that shared governance by any definition was non-existent with the previous administration. In several examples, faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees noted the complete lack of communication, inability to share ideas and inadequate access to data about the college pertinent to the declining enrollment and worsening financial status of Lakeland.”
Page 43……LCC relied on federal funds during the pandemic which had the effect of masking the realities of a budget in decline. It was a systemic use of the reserve to balance the budget that had been the des rigor (LFC: “something necessary”) under the previous administration resulting in overspending and diminishing the financial reserve requirement.
Page 47…”In discussions with the Board of Trustees, for example, it was clear that there is sheer frustration from consistently and continually asking for budget information only to be told that everything was “fine” by the previous administration. When the Board determined that in fact things were not “fine” in fall 2023, they took the unprecedented action by issuing a hiring freeze, taking control of all hiring and firing and laying off 66 staff, excluding faculty.”
Page 48…”While the new administration is currently trying to rectify the entirety of the financial picture and the gravity that the many issues the Ohio state audit revealed, it does not negate years of mismanagement, lack of clear communication to the Board and the greater community and the non-compliance with HLC standards. Therefor, this team is recommending that LCC be placed on Public Notice to bring into compliance Core Component Five and the entirety of the Core Components to meet the spirit and letter of accreditation standards.”
LFC input: There is more to be revealed in upcoming articles. I just got my 2025 property tax bill. I am obligated to pay $356.76 to Lakeland Community College. The only question I have is: “How can I get my money back?”
As I read the HLC report, it is clear that they were worried about the students, faculty, administrators, and Board members, but I could not find one mention of concern for the taxpayers that are footing the bill for this albatross.
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Categories: Lake, Lakeland Community College, Ohio Counties