Twenty five students who completed coursework at New Birth Baptist Church, a branch campus for North Carolina Central University (NCCU), are walking away from the experience with invalid bachelor’s degrees and disappointment.

In July, the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) denied approval for NCCU to continue the program offerings at the New Birth site.

The branch is now closed, and people are looking to Bishop Eddie Long, who leads the Lithonia, Ga.-based megachurch where the courses were held, for answers.

“We are proud to host these distance education programs and understand their value in our community,” Long said. “At New Birth we are always looking for ways to empower our members and strengthen the community. We are confident that the accreditation issues will be resolved soon and that NCCU can once again offer their distance education program at New Birth.”

The question is, who is to blame?

James Ammons, current president of Florida A & M University, was NCCU’s chancellor when the program was created in 2004. According to published statements, he thought the school’s program was properly approved.

Ammons then attempted to remove the burden of blame from Bishop Long.

“There was no indication to me that it hadn’t gone through all the steps. In the end, it’s the head of the university. As such, I accept full responsibility,” Ammons told The Durham News.

Although NCUU is working with the SACS to ensure currently enrolled New Birth students get an opportunity to complete the program, the outcome is uncertain.

Contact The Voice magazine editor at editor@thevoicemagazine.com or 954-456-6032.
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