Nursing students sue Owens

PERRYSBURG, Ohio - Four students in Owens Community College's nursing program have filed suit against the college, alleging they were misled into enrolling in a program that didn't hold proper accreditation.

Plaintiffs in the case are Tiffany Habegger and Robin Kelly, both of Toledo; Brian Williams, Perrysburg; and Jason Rice, South Rockwood, Mich.

The college has confirmed all four currently are enrolled in the registered nursing program on the Perrysburg Township campus.

The suit, filed Thursday in Wood County Common Pleas Court, claims the college and its administrators knew for two years Owens was in jeopardy of losing its accreditation with the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, and not only failed to take the necessary action to avert the loss, but also failed to advise students this fall that accreditation had been lost.

Not disclosing the information in a timely manner constitutes fraud, according to the suit.
The students are claiming the college's misrepresentation has caused them damages - making them ineligible for job opportunities or enrollment in four-year bachelor's program - and they are seeking $25,000 for each of two causes of action.

"With respect to fall enrollment, we notified them as quickly as possible," Owens Vice Provost Renay Scott said this morning.

Fall classes started in mid-August, but enrollment opened in March.

She also said Owens has been working with area colleges, including the University of Toledo, Mercy College and Lourdes College, to make sure credits earned in the RN program will transfer to four-year colleges.

"Those credits will transfer," she stated. "Our graduates who graduate and meet their admissions criteria are welcome to apply. All have said our graduates will be fully considered as part of their admission process."

The college learned in early August that NLNAC accreditation had been lost. It had held accreditation with NLNAC since 1974.

"Due to the legal nature, it would not be appropriate to comment on the lawsuit," said college spokesman Brad Meyer this morning.

When it was notified that accreditation had been dropped, Owens was given a month to appeal the decision, according to Scott. Had the college appealed, the loss of accreditation would have been put on hold until the appeal was completed, she said.

Instead, the college filed a candidacy information form to begin the re-accreditation process, and just recently invited by the league to put together a full candidacy presentation.

That presentation, according to Scott, will include how Owens meets faculty, curriculum and resource standards.

"Our curriculum is rock solid, and our resources are," she stated.

The league, however, wants to see a majority of the nursing faculty with master of science in nursing degrees. According to the vice provost, all 20 full-time nursing faculty have an MSN degree; the majority of part-time, or adjunct, faculty, however, do not. Eight adjuncts hold MSNs, and 13 are in MSN programs, Scott said.

There are 465 students currently enrolled in Owens' registered nursing program, with roughly 100 admitted each semester.

Neither Scott nor Meyer knew how many RN students were expected to graduate in December, without the NLNAC accreditation.

College officials have stressed league accreditation is not critical, but does show Owens has met national standards. It is approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing that is vital to the college.

According to Scott, Owens is organizing a session for RN students to meet with representatives from area colleges that offer four-year programs, including the University of Toledo, Mercy College and Lourdes College, to learn how to apply for their bachelor of nursing programs.

Meanwhile, Cindy Hall, chair of the nursing department since November 2006, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending completion of a internal inquiry regarding the accreditation, according to Meyer. Her paid leave started Oct. 15.

 

(The Sentinel-Tribune newspaper is a  FOX Toledo News media partner)