Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk announced Sept. 2 that “he has taken steps to address the change in accreditation status of the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, a Bureau of Indian Education post-secondary institution of higher learning in Albuquerque, N.M., by its accrediting organization, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,” according to an Interior press release.
SIPI’s status was changed from “accredited” to “candidate for accreditation” following a periodic review and evaluation by the HLC that reviewed the school’s record from 2000 – 2010.
“I am deeply concerned about this setback for SIPI and its students,” Echo Hawk said. “In response to this development, I have directed my education team to take all necessary steps to regain SIPI’s status as a fully accredited institution as quickly as possible. To that end, the Office of the Assistant Secretary is working in close coordination with Bureau of Indian Education Director Keith Moore and SIPI President Sherry Allison to swiftly address and alleviate the deficiencies identified by the HLC.”
Interior officials said Echo Hawk and his education team will be working with tribal leaders, the U.S. Department of Education, the SIPI Board of Regents and the SIPI community over the coming months to prepare for the next HLC evaluation team visit, which is scheduled for March 2011.
