Cambridge Church of Seventh-day Adventists, Medford MA

It's a challenging time for Adventist higher education in North America as 15 Adventist colleges and universities attempt to cooperate in building a system that offers thousands of students a high-quality, mission-driven Christian education at reasonable cost.

During the last 10 years, first one, then another of these schools has experienced significant growth or steep decline. Three weeks ago, news reports began circulating that Adventism's oldest college still on its original site -- Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts -- was struggling to retain its accreditation.

In an interview yesterday, AUC president Norman Wendth talked about challenges facing the 128-year old college.

Bill Knott: Many of us have heard news fragments during the last few weeks about difficult times at Atlantic Union College. You have access to the best information about the situation there. What can you tell me about the real situation of the college moving forward?

Norman Wendth: Well, there are always lots of rumors, but two that I'd particularly like to address. The first has to do with our accreditation. We are challenged on that front. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) has decided to pull our accreditation for financial reasons. I want to emphasize that their recommendation is not for academic reasons or for any other reason. The rumor is that this has already happened. In reality, there's a period of time for appeal, so we have the opportunity to change their minds. The truth is that we'll still be operating this upcoming school year. Yes, it's possible that AUC may lose its accreditation, and we are certainly making contingency plans. Most importantly, we're making certain that we can treat our students well. We've been in contact with other Adventist schools whose accreditation can pick up our students' credit: there won't be any danger to any student should the worst-case situation occur. We'll start the school year as an accredited institution, and we're expecting to have a strong appeal. If we're successful, then we'll be removed from this threat and be put back on full and regular accreditation. There's no probation in the wings: it's either full accreditation or termination.